New Prohibition on the purchase/use of certain drones on federal research projects
The federal government has issued a new rule prohibiting federal contractors from purchasing or using certain foreign-made unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The prohibition goes into effect on December 22, 2025. Under the rule, the Federal Acquisition Security Council (FASC) will release a list of prohibited foreign manufacturers of drones. As of December 22, 2025, Columbia researchers who use drones on research funded under a federal contract or subcontract will not be able to –
- operate a prohibited UAS in the performance of the federal contract, or
- purchase a prohibited UAS in the performance of the federal contract.
Although the FASC has not yet released its list of prohibited foreign-made UAS, the rule states that UAS manufacturers currently subject to U.S. export control restrictions will be included on the prohibited list. Foreign UAS manufacturers currently subject to U.S. restrictions include, but are not limited to, the following:
- DJI
- Autel Robotics
- Tianjin Aerospace Zhongwei Data System Technology
- Aerospace CH UAV CO., LTD
The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has developed a list of drones that can be purchased using DOD funds. That list, called the Blue UAS List, is available here: https://www.diu.mil/blue-uas-cleared-list.
Columbia researchers who use or plan to use UAS to conduct research under federal contracts or subcontracts should do the following:
- Determine the UAS manufacturer;
- Check the DOD’s Blue UAS List of allowed UAS manufacturers; and
- Contact RCT if they currently use, or plan to purchase, a UAS from a foreign manufacturer not on the DOD’s Blue UAS List.
For more information about the use of UAS in Columbia research, please visit RCT’s Unmanned Aerial Vehicle website or contact [email protected].
