Spray Drones In The US After The FCC Ban: What Farmers Need To Know In 2027

Last updated: November 15, 2026

In short: if you already own a DJI, XAG or other foreign-made spray drone that the FCC authorized before December 22, 2025, you can keep flying it, and dealers can keep selling those existing models. What changed is that new foreign-made drone models and critical components can no longer get FCC authorization, so future DJI Agras and XAG models will not reach the US market. US-made spray drones such as Hylio are the main path for new fleets.

This guide explains what the rule covers, what it means for parts and support, and how to plan your spray fleet for the next few seasons. For a full list of manufacturers, see our top agricultural drone companies.

What The FCC Rule Actually Does

On December 22, 2025, the FCC added uncrewed aircraft systems and critical drone components produced in foreign countries to its Covered List. Equipment on the Covered List cannot receive new FCC equipment authorization, which every radio-transmitting drone needs to be sold in the US.

The rule applies to new models. The FCC said it does not prohibit the import, sale or use of existing models it had already authorized. In 2026 the restrictions began blocking new DJI Agras models from the US market.

What It Means If You Already Own Spray Drones

• You can keep flying authorized drones you already own.
• Dealers can still sell existing authorized models while stock lasts.
• Spare parts, batteries and repairs may get harder or more expensive over time, so plan ahead.
• New model releases from foreign makers will not be available in the US.

Many applicators are stocking extra batteries, motors and propellers and checking how long their dealer can keep supporting current fleets.

What It Means If You Are Buying New

If you are building a fleet that needs to last several seasons, the safest choice is a US-made, NDAA-compliant drone. That avoids the risk of being stuck with a model that cannot be replaced or updated.

US makers are scaling up. Hylio builds its spray drones in Texas, and its Houston-area plant can produce up to 5,000 drones a year. Pyka builds autonomous electric spray airplanes in California for very large acreage.

Your Main Options In 2027

Option	Pros	Cons
Keep existing foreign-made drones	No new capital outlay, proven performance	Parts and support risk over time, no new models
Buy remaining authorized foreign models	Lower purchase price, familiar workflow	Limited future support and upgrades
Switch to US-made drones (such as Hylio)	No FCC model risk, NDAA compliant	Often higher price, smaller dealer networks in some areas
Hire a drone application service	No equipment to own or maintain	Less control over timing in peak season

How To Plan Your Spray Fleet

Audit what you own

List each drone, its model, battery count and expected life, and check whether parts are still available from your dealer.

Stock critical spares

Batteries, motors, propellers and nozzles are the parts most likely to run short.

Test a US-made drone

Run a US-made drone alongside your current fleet for a season to compare acres per hour, reliability and support.

Keep your certifications current

Your FAA Part 107 and Part 137 certificates, exemptions and state pesticide licenses apply whichever drone you fly. See our guide on how to get licensed to spray with a drone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is DJI banned in the US?

Not completely. Existing DJI models authorized before December 22, 2025 can still be sold and used, but new DJI models cannot get FCC authorization.

Can I still use my DJI Agras spray drone?

Yes. The FCC rule does not stop you from flying drones you already own.

What US-made spray drones are available?

Hylio is the leading US-made spray drone maker, and Pyka builds autonomous electric spray airplanes for large farms.

Will spare parts for DJI spray drones run out?

Parts for existing models may become harder to find over time, so many operators are stocking spares now.

Are spray drones legal in Canada?

As of 2026, spray drones were still not approved for general use in Canada.

Conclusion

Your current foreign-made spray drones are still legal to fly, but new foreign models are blocked. Stock spare parts for your existing fleet, test US-made options such as Hylio, and plan new purchases around drones that will still be supported in five years. Next, see how much a spray drone costs.

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