NDAA Revisited

Many police departments mistakenly think that compliance with the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) only applies to federal funding, allowing them to purchase drones from DJI or Autel with local budgets or asset forfeiture funds. This assumption poses significant risks.

Several states, including Florida and Mississippi, have enacted outright bans on the use of Chinese drones, which apply to local funds as well. Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has blocked new equipment authorizations for certain foreign manufacturers since December 2025. As a result, drones purchased with local funds may become unserviceable due to reliance on firmware updates and proprietary parts, especially as FCC restrictions tighten.

Local police departments also do not operate independently; any connection to federal programs can jeopardize their access if they use non-compliant drones. This is particularly dangerous for agencies involved in collaborative initiatives like Joint Terrorism Task Forces.

Overall, departments need to be aware of evolving state laws, FCC regulations, and the risk of rendering their drone investments ineffective within a short timeframe. Emphasizing the potential for these assets to become obsolete due to regulatory changes can help facilitate discussions about compliance and procurement strategies.

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Direct Comparison: The Funding Disconnect

Procurement Method	Department Belief	Legal & Operational Reality
Federal Grants (COPS, Byrne JAG)	"We must buy NDAA/Blue UAS."	Correct. Legally mandated by the American Security Drone Act (ASDA).
Local / Operations Funds	"We can buy DJI/Autel freely."	Incorrect. Subject to evolving state laws, severe FCC import blocks, and future parts shortages.

Navigating Conversations with Agencies

When providing guidance or conducting audits for these departments, it is often most effective to highlight the risk of "bricking" local taxpayer-funded assets within 12 to 24 months due to parts shortages or mandatory firmware freezes. This concern typically gets leadership's attention and encourages them to take action.