# Senator Backs FCC Drone Listing

Senator Rick Scott submitted a letter supporting the FCC’s placement of DJI and Autel on its Covered List, citing classified national-security findings and prior congressional scrutiny. The filing adds information to the companies’ pending challenges but does not impose new restrictions or resolve the proceedings. Federal drone buyers and contractors may need to assess exposure to potential foreign-drone supply-chain restrictions and the possible demand for domestic alternatives.

- Federal buyers and contractors should assess where DJI or Autel equipment is used in their supply chains and operations, given the ongoing FCC proceedings.
- The letter is not itself a new restriction or a final resolution; procurement planning should distinguish the current Covered List treatment from the pending challenges.
- Companies supplying domestic drone alternatives may see potential demand if the FCC proceedings result in continued or expanded limits on the listed equipment.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** October 16, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
- U.S. Senate

### Vendors
- DJI (Petitioner for reconsideration of the FCC Covered List action)
- Autel Robotics (Applicant for review of the FCC Covered List action)

### Key Quotes
> I have read and agree with the analysis detailed in the classified report concluding that DJI and Autel present an unacceptable risk to U.S. national security and that their technology should be on the FCC’s Covered List
> — Rick Scott, U.S. Senator

### Sources
- [Senator Cites Classified Findings in DJI, Autel FCC Dispute - DRONELIFE](https://dronelife.com/2026/10/16/dji-autel-fcc-classified-security-findings) - Dronelife