The Federal Communications Commission is considering a broader set of drone restrictions that could reach models it had previously approved for sale in the US, according to Engadget and Digital Trends. The proposal would focus on drones with certain capabilities, including LiDAR sensing, thermal imaging and aerosol-dispersing systems. The reported change is still a proposal, not a completed ban. Both outlets say the FCC is seeking public comment on whether to extend its existing prohibition to categories of drones the US government views as having military capability or particular national security risks. Engadget reports that the proposed expansion also refers to drones that can integrate defense articles, use docking stations or operate in swarms. Several DJI models are in the spotlight. Engadget and Digital Trends both report that DJI’s Air 3S, Avata 360 and Mini 5 Pro could potentially be pulled from the US market under the proposal, despite having previously been cleared for sale. Engadget also says DJI commercial drones used for agricultural spraying or search-and-rescue missions could be affected. The practical line the FCC is drawing matters for current owners. Both outlets report that the proposal would not make already purchased drones illegal or require users to give them up. The potential restriction is on future sales by DJI and other manufacturers, which means the immediate market effect would fall on availability rather than possession. The longer-term support question is less settled. Engadget and Digital Trends both note that if manufacturers cannot sell more covered drones in the US, replacement parts could become harder to obtain and software support could become more complicated. That is a reported risk, not an outcome the FCC has finalized. The move builds on restrictions that began in December 2025, when the FCC added foreign-made drones and critical components to its Covered List, according to both outlets. That list covers communications equipment and services considered an unacceptable national-security risk. The initial change affected upcoming drone models, while older models that already had FCC approval could still be sold. The scope has widened since then. Both outlets report that the FCC last month expanded restrictions to products sold by companies suspected of rebranding DJI hardware. The latest proposal would shift attention from only who sells or makes a drone to what the drone can do. DJI has pushed back. Engadget and Digital Trends both cite DJI’s official response, in which the company called the FCC’s latest request a “total reversal” from the agency’s previous position. The FCC is accepting comments on the proposal until September 2. Who benefits: The immediate beneficiaries would be policymakers seeking a broader national-security screen for drone capabilities. Existing owners also benefit from the proposal’s reported carveout for drones already purchased. Who's exposed: DJI and manufacturers selling affected models face the clearest sales risk if the proposal becomes a ban. Buyers and commercial users could also be exposed to reduced availability of units, replacement parts or software support, according to the outlets’ reporting.