Below is information regarding the federal prohibition impacting universities, including the University of Illinois, on the purchase, use, and operation of certain drones for federally funded projects. Among the prohibited drone brands are popular the brands DJI (Shenzhen DJI Innovation Technology Co., Ltd), Autel Robotics Co. Ltd, Aerospace CH UAV Co., Ltd, and Chengdu JOUAV Automation Tech Co., Ltd. (JOUAV).
Key Points
- Federal Ban:
As of December 22, 2025, drones manufactured or assembled by certain foreign entities designated under the American Security Drone Act (ASDA) are prohibited for use in federally funded research and contracts.
- Legal Basis:
The restrictions stem from:- A federal rule issued on November 12, 2024
- Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.240-1
- Department of Defense (DoD) Section 1260H restrictions
- Operational Impact:
- Federal funds cannot be used to buy, operate, or contract third-party drone services involving prohibited drones.
- Drones purchased before December 22, 2025 are not allowed on federal awards if included in the ban.
- After the effective date, only drones on the DoD Blue UAS Cleared List may be purchased or used for federally funded work.
Required Actions
For Principal Investigators and Research Staff:
- Review all current and planned drone use on federally funded projects (including pass-through funds).
- Verify drones and components against federal prohibited entity lists (e.g., SAM.gov, DoD 1260H). Contact exportcontrols@illinois.edu for assistance.
- Discontinue use of any restricted drones on federal awards.
- Ensure subcontractors and subawardees are also compliant.
- Plan future purchases using the Blue UAS Cleared List.
- Contact the Office of Research Security Export Compliance team for assistance.
Consequences of Non-Compliance
Failure to comply may result in:
- FAA penalties
- Suspension or termination of federal research awards
- Loss of eligibility for future federal funding
- Federal audits or investigations