FCC adds Pentagon security letters regarding DJI and Autel to public record

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has added redacted, unclassified cover pages of Department of Defense letters to the public records concerning drone manufacturers DJI and Autel Robotics. These documents, related to proceedings under the fiscal year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), involve national security agency determinations regarding unmanned aircraft systems.

While the FCC stated it did not rely on these specific letters when making its initial decisions to include the companies on its Covered List, the filings provide context to the ongoing legal challenges. Both DJI and Autel have filed petitions seeking to overturn the restrictions.

Senator Rick Scott has defended the FCC’s actions, citing classified reports and congressional investigations. In a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Scott stated that the classified analysis concludes that DJI and Autel present an “unacceptable risk to U.S. national security.” The released documents do not disclose the full contents of the classified annexes or provide specific technical evidence of vulnerabilities, as the substantive details remain under seal.