Autel Added To Dods Cmc List Amid Growing Drone Industry Uncertainty

Autel Joins DoD’s CMC List, DJI Unveils Matrice 4, and Walmart Ditches DroneUp Contract as LAANC Expands

Autel has been added to the Department of Defense’s (DoD) Chinese Military Complex (CMC) list, bringing attention to the complexities surrounding the CMC list, which requires companies to be part of the 2021 NDAA-approved Chinese Military Civil Fusion strategy. This move raises concerns about Autel’s ties to the Chinese military and potential implications for its business operations.

The inclusion of Autel in the CMC list is closely tied to DJI, which has been at the center of a lawsuit against the DoD, seeking removal from the list due to claims that it lost contracts and business following its inclusion. The situation highlights the growing scrutiny on drone manufacturers’ relationships with government entities.

In response to this growing scrutiny, DJI has released the Matrice 4 Enterprise and Thermal models, marking the continuation of the Mavic 3 Enterprise lineup. By adopting a consistent naming convention for its Enterprise products (e.g., Matrice instead of Mavic), DJI aims to differentiate between non-Enterprise and Enterprise models. The Matrice 4 features impressive specs, including a 1/1.3″ medium telephoto lens, laser rangefinder, and AI functions for object identification.

Walmart has ended its contract with DroneUp and exited as an investor in the company, adding to DroneUp’s challenges following a major layoff last year aimed at focusing on the Walmart contract. Despite this setback, DroneUp confirmed that it will continue working on other projects, ensuring its operations remain operational.

The DoD has also expanded its LAANC system, adding 14 military installations across Texas, California, and Florida to make authorization more accessible for Part 107 and recreational operators. This development streamlines the process, allowing operators to quickly access necessary permissions in these areas. With this expansion, LAANC aims to enhance safety and efficiency for drone pilots.

As the drone industry navigates new challenges and opportunities, it’s clear that companies must adapt to growing regulations and scrutiny.