Replacing DJI drones in a fire department.

Published 2026-09-05

What the DJI aircraft did

• Scene overwatch for the incident commander
• Hazmat perimeter and plume assessment from a distance
• Wildland fire edge and new-ignition checks
• Search and rescue across open ground and water
• Post-incident documentation

What replaces it today

The Corvin complete kit gives the incident commander a live view of the scene for overwatch, perimeters, and search, flown within visual line of sight by a certified member. Detachable arms and printable parts keep it flying after hard landings. The complete kit is $2,999, built to order in Tulsa, Oklahoma, without Section 889 covered components.

What replaces the rest, and when

Thermal is the fire service's real requirement, and the Spector carries it: thermal and zoom optics on a dock-capable aircraft, in development at a published bundle price with reservations open. Until it ships, keep the thermal DJI flying while you plan. Spector bundle $34,999; Ranger bundle $22,000; reservation fee $5,000 each.

The rules and the clock

Existing DJI aircraft stay legal to fly, with updates through at least January 1, 2029. New foreign models cannot receive FCC authorization since December 22, 2025, and federal funds cannot buy them. Imported drones and parts carry Section 232 tariffs of 25 to 100 percent since September 3, 2026. Plan the replacement on your budget cycle, not in the 2028 queue.

How to pay for it

The Assistance to Firefighters Grant lists drone and UAS equipment as eligible; the FY2025 round of $648 million closed June 22, 2026, and the cycle is annual. Tie the application to life-safety outcomes and to how the aircraft fits existing operations. Details on the Public safety grants page.

Questions buyers ask

Can we still fly our DJI thermal aircraft?

Yes. Existing aircraft stay legal and updated through at least January 1, 2029, and a thermal DJI is the hardest aircraft to replace today. Keep it flying, budget the replacement, and reserve the Spector if a dock-based thermal aircraft is the goal.

Is AFG money enough for an aircraft?

A Corvin complete kit is well within a typical AFG equipment line. A Spector bundle is a larger request and a stronger life-safety argument. Either way the aircraft must be compliant, which EnCor's are.

Does the Corvin carry thermal?

No. It is the overwatch and search aircraft. Thermal is on the Spector, in development.