Drone Maker Set to Join the FCC Covered List on December 23

Just over a month ahead of its potential ban in the US, DJI has launched its lightest and most compact drone to date… and for obvious reasons, it won’t be coming stateside anytime soon. The Neo 2 succeeds the Neo, which launched last year and quickly became a favorite among beginner pilots and creators due to its affordability and ease of use.

The Neo 2 joins a lineup of DJI releases that have hit the market almost everywhere but the US this year, though the company’s spotlight in the US government runs much deeper. The Pentagon flagged unauthorized military use of DJI drones back in 2017, and the Commerce Department later added the company to its Entity List over alleged ties to China’s treatment of Uyghurs.

Then, in 2024, DJI accused the Pentagon of labeling it a Chinese Military Company without evidence. Despite repeated appeals, a 49-page ruling in October 2025 upheld the Department of Defense’s claims that DJI is tied to the Chinese Communist Party… though much of the significant evidence was dismissed in the process.

Meanwhile, the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act requires a security audit of DJI’s product line. With none of the five eligible federal agencies jumping on the opportunity and time running low, DJI will automatically join the FCC Covered List on December 23. If nothing changes, this designation will formally block the company from obtaining new equipment authorizations needed to sell or import new drone models and other wireless products in the United States. A recent update to FCC powers also allows it to retroactively ban the import and sale of already approved models.

Though current owners won’t lose access to their gear, repairs, replacements, and future upgrades will be much more difficult… and DJI’s dominance in the drone market will not be easily filled.

For anyone but the US, however, the launch of Neo 2 is an exciting development. The just over $300 purchase gives you 4K video recording at up to 100 fps, 19 minutes of air time, and 49GB of internal storage. It is designed to be extremely beginner-friendly, featuring follow-me technology, the ability to take off from your palm, and intelligent shooting modes.

FMI: www.dji.com