On December 22, 2023, new Federal legislation referred to as the “American Security Drone Act of 2023” was signed into law as part of the larger National Defense Authorization Act.  The legislation prohibits the use of Federal funds for the procurement or operation of covered unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) from covered foreign entities beginning December 22, 2025.

The legislation mandates that no federal funds awarded through a contract, grant, or cooperative agreement, or otherwise made available, may be used to purchase or operate an unmanned aircraft system (drone) that is manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity.  Covered foreign entities include DJI, Autel, and many other brands. 

In 2018, the Department of Defense (DoD) issued a ban on the use of purchase and use of DJI drones due to cyber vulnerabilities.  The Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency has issued guidance on the use of Chinese-Manufactured UAS in order to mitigate potential cybersecurity threats in non-Federal projects.

The NDSU College of Agriculture, Food Systems and Natural Resources (CAFSNR) has enacted a plan to discontinue the use of DJI, Autel and all other drones manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity before December 22, 2025, as CAFSNR conducts numerous research projects which are directly or indirectly funded by Federal agencies such as the USDA.

For an up-to-date list of UAS which comply with the Federal regulations, please visit the The Blue UAS Cleared List maintained by the Defense Innovation Unit.

Additional questions may be directed to: 

Kristy Shirley, Research Integrity & Compliance Manager
kristy.shirley@ndsu.edu
701-231-8995

Sharon May, Export Control Administrator
sharon.may@ndsu.edu
701-231-6455