What Happened in the Drone Universe This Week: December 22, 2025

By: Colonel (ret) Bernie Derbach, KR Droneworks, 23 Dec 25

The Global Drone Universe

1. The "DJI Ban" Becomes Reality

The biggest news of the week—and perhaps the year—dropped on December 22, 2025. The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially added foreign-made drones and their critical components to its "Covered List."

• The Impact: This effectively bans the import and sale of new models from Chinese manufacturers like DJI and Autel in the United States.

• The Fine Print: FCC Chair Brendan Carr clarified that the ban is "forward-looking." If you already own a DJI drone, it won't be bricked, and retailers can still sell existing stock of previously approved models. However, the next generation of consumer and enterprise drones from these brands will likely never see a U.S. shelf.

  
  

2. A New Era of "Attrition Warfare"

As of December 23, 2025, the scale of drone warfare has reached a staggering new peak. Russia launched a massive "combined strike" against Ukraine involving over 650 drones in a single night.

• The Strategy: This follows a new commentary from the Chinese military (PLA) advocating for "saturation attacks" as the key to modern victory. The focus is shifting from "exotic, expensive drones" to "numerical superiority"—overwhelming air defenses with sheer volume.

  
  

3. Martian Drones and Heavy Lifters

• NASA in Death Valley: On December 15, NASA concluded tests in Death Valley for its "Extended Robust Aerial Autonomy" software. This tech is designed for the next generation of Mars drones, helping them navigate "featureless" terrain that famously tripped up the Ingenuity helicopter.

• The "Mallard-S": In the commercial sector, the MALLARD-S unmanned transport system completed its first operational tests this week. It’s a significant step toward heavy-lift drone logistics for the 2026 delivery market.

  
  

🇨🇦 The Canadian Drone Universe

1. The "BVLOS" Revolution Hits Full Swing

Canada is currently in the middle of its most significant regulatory shift since 2019. Following the November 4, 2025 rollout of new Transport Canada rules, the past week has seen a surge in "Level 1 Complex" activity.

• What's New: For the first time, Canadian operators are conducting Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) flights in uncontrolled airspace without needing a one-off Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC).

• The Numbers: As of late December, Transport Canada reports that 249 pilots have already secured the new Level 1 Complex certification.

  
  

2. Modernizing the Sky: NAV Drone Updates

NAV CANADA has been busy this week updating its NAV Drone app to accommodate these new flight types.

• Sheltered Operations: Professionals in film and real estate are now actively using the "Sheltered Operations" rule, which allows small drones to fly close to buildings in controlled airspace (like downtown Toronto or Vancouver) with much less red tape.

• Medium Drones: We are seeing the first widespread commercial use of "Medium Drones" (25kg–150kg) for agricultural spraying and heavy cargo, as these no longer require an SFOC for basic operations.

  
  

3. Cross-Border Jitters

The U.S. ban on foreign-made drones is sending ripples through the Canadian drone industry. Since many Canadian operators buy equipment through North American distributors, there is growing concern about how the U.S. import ban will affect supply chains and pricing for DJI parts and units in Canada.

💡 The Bottom Line

The "Drone Universe" is splitting in two: one side is focused on geopolitical security and bans, while the other is pushing the boundaries of autonomy and logistics. Whether you're a hobbyist or a commercial pilot, the rules of the game just changed.