Replacing a DJI fleet without a six-figure quote.
Your DJI aircraft still fly. The clock on them is real, and so is the gap between a $25,000 autonomous replacement and what a small program can approve. This page lays out the dates, the options, and the prices.
What changed, and when
- December 22, 2025. The FCC added all foreign-produced drones and critical components to its Covered List, blocking new equipment authorizations. Federal funds stopped being available for covered aircraft the same day.
- May 2026. The FCC extended a waiver so already-authorized foreign aircraft keep receiving firmware and security updates through at least January 1, 2029.
- State rules. Florida required in-service replacement; Connecticut phases in through 2028. Others are moving.
Read those three together and the plan writes itself. Nothing forces a replacement this month. Everything says the replacement should be budgeted before the queue forms in 2028.
What people do when they wait
Agencies that wait for a deadline buy in a rush, from whichever vendor has stock, at whatever price is quoted. Agencies that plan now buy on their own schedule and can use federal money, because it can only be spent on compliant aircraft. The second group also gets to train pilots on the new aircraft before the old ones age out.
The replacement tiers, with prices
| Tier | Example | Unit cost | Fits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium autonomous | Skydio X10 | $16,000 to $25,000 reported | Dock-based response programs |
| Program subscription | BRINC Responder plans | $14,999 to $99,999 per year | Turnkey DFR with vendor maintenance |
| Compact observation | Parrot ANAFI USA GOV | Not published | Thermal search and zoom observation |
| Own it, repair it | EnCor Corvin | $2,999 kit, published | Training, reconnaissance, targets, first aircraft |
| Dock-capable, published price | EnCor Spector (in development) | $34,999 bundle, published | Inspection and response, reservations open |
Every figure above is sourced at the bottom of this page. Prices marked "reported" come from trade press or public contracts, not from the vendor.
What to buy under $10,000
The federal micro-purchase threshold is $10,000, and most federal buyers can use a purchase card under it without an RFP. Three Corvin complete kits with spare batteries stay under it. That is a training fleet, or three reconnaissance aircraft for a small agency, bought this quarter.
A Corvin does not replace a DJI Matrice on a thermal search. It replaces the Mini and the Mavic that most small programs actually fly: the aircraft that goes up to look at a scene, a roof, or a field. For the Matrice mission, the Spector is the published-price option, when it ships.
A replacement plan that fits a budget year
- List every aircraft, its authorization status, and what it actually does for you.
- Split the list by mission: observation, search, training, response.
- Replace the training and observation tier first with owned, compliant aircraft. It is the cheapest tier and the one that trains the pilots you will need for the rest.
- Reserve or budget the response tier for the year after, with a published price you can put in the plan.
- Keep the DJI aircraft flying until they age out. They are legal.
Questions buyers ask
Is DJI banned in the United States?
Not for aircraft you already own. Since December 22, 2025, DJI and all other foreign-produced drones and critical components are on the FCC Covered List, which blocks new equipment authorizations. Existing authorized aircraft stay legal to fly.
How long will my DJI fleet keep getting updates?
The FCC extended a waiver in May 2026 that permits security patches and software updates for already-authorized foreign aircraft through at least January 1, 2029.
Can we use federal grant money to buy a DJI replacement part or aircraft?
Federal funds have been off limits for covered aircraft since December 22, 2025. A US-built, NDAA-compliant aircraft is the path that keeps grant money available.
What does an NDAA-compliant replacement cost?
It depends on the mission. Premium autonomous aircraft are reported at $16,000 to $25,000 per unit. EnCor's Corvin is $2,999 for a complete kit and ships now. The Spector, a dock-capable multi-sensor aircraft, is in development at a published $34,999 bundle price.
Do state rules differ?
Yes. Florida required agencies to replace covered fleets already in service, and Connecticut runs a phase-in to 2028. Check your state before you set a replacement date.
Is EnCor on the Blue UAS list?
No, and we do not claim to be. EnCor aircraft are built in Tulsa, Oklahoma, without Section 889 covered components. If your funding requires a Blue UAS listing specifically, check that requirement first.
- Wiley, "FCC Adds All Foreign-Produced Uncrewed Aircraft Systems and UAS Critical Components to Covered List", December 2025.
- DroneLife, "FCC Adds Foreign-Made Drones and Components to Covered List", 2025-12-22.
- DroneDJ, "FCC just saved millions of DJI drones from going obsolete" (waiver extension), 2026-05-18.
- Harris Aerial, "Is DJI Banned? 2026 Rules for Utility, Gov & Public Safety" (state rules), accessed 2026-09-04.
- DroneXL, Skydio X10 reported pricing, accessed 2026-09-04.
- State contract price sheet listing BRINC MSRP, accessed 2026-09-04.
- EnCor Industries, published prices, 2026-09-04.
Key dates
- 2025-12-22: FCC Covered List includes all foreign drones; federal funds stop
- 2026-05: FCC waiver extended for updates
- 2029-01-01: earliest end of update support for existing aircraft
- Florida: replacement required; Connecticut: phase-in to 2028