Summary: On December 23, 2025, the U.S. government added DJI to the FCC Covered List, effectively blocking the authorization and import of all new drone models. While the U.S. Commerce Department's January 2026 withdrawal of separate import rules allows current DJI fleets to remain operational, DJI’s technological growth in the U.S. is now frozen. This creates a critical security crisis for Aeroscope users; because the system was designed only for DJI's proprietary signals, it has never been able to detect other brands. As a wave of non-DJI alternatives now enters the market to fill the void, Aeroscope’s existing blind spots are rapidly expanding, urging organizations to transition to manufacturer-agnostic solutions.
DJI (Da-Jiang Innovations) is the world’s largest drone manufacturer. For years, their technology has been the "gold standard" for everything from hobbyist photography to critical infrastructure inspection. Most notably, they have become the primary aerial tool for American public safety; the vast majority of U.S. law enforcement agencies and first responders currently rely on DJI platforms for search and rescue, tactical response, and disaster management.
However, the landscape changed significantly in December 2025, when DJI was officially added to the FCC Covered List. This federal action effectively blocked DJI from getting approval for any new drone models or communications equipment in the U.S. moving forward. While the U.S. Commerce Department withdrew a separate proposal for even stricter import bans in January 2026, this move only protected current drone owners from immediate grounding; it did not reverse the FCC’s restrictions. This creates a "frozen" market where DJI technology can no longer grow or evolve.
If your security team still uses Aeroscope, you are relying on "dead" technology. DJI quietly discontinued the production of Aeroscope in 2023, long before these new bans even started.
Here is why AeroScope is no longer a viable solution:
It Was Never Built for Other Brands: Aeroscope was a "closed" system designed only to talk to DJI drones. It has never been able to detect drones made by companies like Skydio, Autel, or Parrot.
The "Replacement Cycle" Risk: Most professional drones only last a few years before they wear out. As older DJI drones break down, they cannot be replaced with new DJI models because of the ban. When pilots switch to other brands, Aeroscope will not detect them.
No More Support: Since DJI stopped making Aeroscope hardware in 2023, the system is now "dead end" technology. It was built with parts designed only to hear DJI signals. Because it lacks the right hardware, no software update can ever teach it to see other brands including the new drone brands entering the market in 2026.
Missing Universal Signals: Most new drones now use a system called Remote ID. It’s like a digital license plate. Because AeroScope only looks for DJI's private signals, it completely ignores this universal information from other manufacturers.
As DJI’s market footprint contracts, organizations are moving away from proprietary tools and toward solutions that offer broad, manufacturer-agnostic visibility.
Modern security strategies now focus on: