Urgent NDAA Developments Could Severely Impact US Drone Industry

Industry expert Vic Moss has raised urgent concerns about potential restrictions on Chinese-made drones being fast-tracked through Congress, warning of devastating consequences for the US Industria dei droni if certain provisions are included in the upcoming National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

According to Moss, a member of the Drone Service Providers Alliance (DSPA), House and Senate leadership are currently working to bypass normal procedures and create a compromise bill that could include language from the Countering CCP Drones Act. This accelerated process, driven by end-of-year time constraints, could see the bill presented for votes as early as next week.

Critical Timeline and Process Changes

The usual process for the NDAA would involve separate House and Senate votes followed by a conference committee to reconcile differences. However, congressional leadership is now pursuing a shortcut by crafting a compromise bill directly, potentially incorporating restrictions on Chinese drone manufacturers without the usual debate process.

“Both leaderships are trying to hammer out a compromise bill for the House and Senate to vote on to skip the step of actually voting and then going into compromise,” Moss explains. “They’re running out of time.”

Industry Impact Concerns

The proposed restrictions could prevent the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from granting new licenses to DJI, Autel Robotics, and potentially other Chinese drone manufacturers. This would effectively halt the import of new drone models from these companies, which currently supply approximately 90% of commercial drones used in the Stati Uniti.

The impact could be severe across multiple sectors:

• Commercial drone operations
• First responder services
• STEM Istruzione programs
• Real estate photography
• Agricultural monitoring
• Ricerca e salvataggio operations

“In 3 to 5 years or sooner, probably even 2 years, our drone fleets are done,” Moss warns. “We don’t have that drone out there that’s going to replace what we are currently using. It does not exist to my knowledge.”

Manufacturing Capacity Concerns

While the United States does produce high-quality drones, particularly for military and enterprise applications, there are significant gaps in the consumer and prosumer segments where most commercial operators work. Current U.S. manufacturing capacity cannot meet the demand for replacement aircraft if Chinese options are restricted.

The projected $15 billion U.S. drone industry by 2030 could face serious setbacks if operators cannot access suitable replacement aircraft as their current fleets age out.

Questions About Security Claims

Recent developments have cast doubt on some security concerns used to justify restrictions. In October, DJI filed a lawsuit challenging its placement on the Chinese Military Company List, providing evidence that several DOD claims were based on misidentified individuals and mischaracterized industry participation.

The lawsuit highlights instances where normal business activities, such as participating in civilian safety requirement committees alongside companies like Nokia, Ford, and Samsung, were incorrectly portrayed as security concerns.

Call for Action

Industry stakeholders are encouraged to contact their congressional representatives and key committee leaders immediately. Key points to emphasize include:

1. Impact on business operations and public safety
2. Lack of comparable replacement options
3. Manufacturing capacity limitations
4. Economic consequences for the U.S. drone industry
5. Effects on STEM education and workforce development

Contact information for relevant officials can be found at congress.gov.

Looking Forward

The outcome of this accelerated NDAA process could have long-lasting implications for the U.S. drone industry. While security concerns deserve careful consideration, industry experts argue that blanket restrictions could harm American competitiveness and innovation in the drone sector.

“We can talk politics without becoming political,” Moss notes, emphasizing the need for fact-based discussion of these critical industry issues. The coming days will be crucial for the future of commercial drone operations in the United States.