LiDAR in the Crosshairs: What the FCC's Proposed Drone Ban Means for Innovation and Security The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed banning drones equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) technology, citing national security concerns.
The proposal targets several models from DJI, including consumer level devices like the Air 3S, as well as commercial drones used in agriculture and search and rescue operations.
The FCC's campaign against LiDAR equipped drones began in December 2025, when it added foreign made drones and critical components to the Covered List of communications equipment deemed a risk to national security.