The U.S. House of Representatives has passed its version of the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes updated language on unmanned aircraft systems of foreign origin. The new provisions build on measures enacted in the FY 2025 NDAA, expanding the scope of equipment and software subject to review when connected to foreign entities.
House NDAA FY 26 on Chinese Drones
The NDAA is the annual defense policy bill that sets priorities and authorities for the Department of Defense. Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have become a focus in recent years, reflecting concerns about supply chain security and the role of foreign-manufactured technology in sensitive areas.
In the FY 25 NDAA (Public Law 118-159, Section 1709), lawmakers required a one-year national security review of communications and video surveillance equipment and services produced by foreign entities. The section specifically referenced certain drone manufacturers, including the world’s largest drone manufacturer, DJI. If the review is not completed within a year, the equipment or services must be automatically added to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) “Covered List.” This could limit the entrance of new models into the United States and the functionality and update path of previous models.
The FY 25 NDAA was signed into law on December 22, 2024, meaning the review deadline is December 22, 2025.
Read the FY 25 NDAA final text here.
FY 26 House Bill Expands Coverage
The House version of the FY 26 NDAA (H.R. 3838, Section 1723) builds on this earlier language. It introduces a subsection requiring review of:
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Unmanned aircraft systems communications equipment and services, explicitly naming UAS as subject to evaluation.
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Integrated software associated with UAS, if provided by foreign entities.
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Equipment using the 5030–5091 MHz spectrum band, if developed or supplied by foreign entities.
The bill maintains the same one-year deadline for review. If no determination is made, these categories of equipment and services must be added to the FCC Covered List. Read the FY 26 NDAA House version here.
Side-by-Side: NDAA FY 25 vs. Current House Version of NDAA FY 26
There are important similarities between the two years’ language:
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Both require a one-year national security determination.
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Both direct automatic addition to the FCC Covered List if reviews are incomplete.
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Both rely on existing statutory definitions for “foreign adversary” and related terms.
The differences are in scope and specificity:
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FY 25 focused on communications and video surveillance equipment more broadly.
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FY 26 narrows in on UAS, naming DJI and Autel specifically, while expanding coverage to include software and specific spectrum use.
This shift makes clear that unmanned aircraft systems themselves, not only general communications gear, are a primary focus for review.
Two Parallel One-Year Timelines
The timing of the two NDAAs creates an overlap.
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Under FY 25, the deadline for determinations is December 22, 2025.
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If enacted, the FY 26 NDAA would set a new one-year deadline from its own enactment date, likely in late 2025 or early 2026.
This means there could be two review periods, back-to-back: the FY 25 review concluding at the end of 2025, followed by the expanded FY 26 review running through late 2026.
Implications for Operators and Suppliers
The FCC Covered List is significant because equipment and services added to it face restrictions on use in federally funded communications networks. The list can also shape procurement decisions by government agencies and influence the broader marketplace.
For the drone industry, the FY 26 House language highlights two areas of growing attention:
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Software supply chains, since integrated software is now explicitly named.
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Spectrum equipment, particularly in the 5030–5091 MHz band used for some UAS command and control links.
These provisions do not impose an immediate operational ban. Instead, they establish a process that could result in more systems and components being reviewed and potentially listed.
Senate Action and Conference Ahead
The Senate must still pass its version of the NDAA, and a conference committee will reconcile the House and Senate texts. The language described here is from the House-reported version of H.R. 3838. Section numbers and wording could change in engrossment or during the conference process.
Next Steps for Drone Policy Language
The House version of the FY 26 NDAA extends the approach taken in FY 25 by applying review requirements directly to UAS, integrated software, and specific spectrum equipment. With overlapping one-year deadlines, industry stakeholders should be aware that determinations could occur in both 2025 and 2026. The final scope will depend on Senate action and the conference process later this year.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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