Tue, Aug 08, 2017
Will Discontinue Use Of DJI Drones Over Possible Security Issues
The Department of the Army has discontinued use of any Chinese-built drone, leading to the grounding of UAVs it had acquired from drone giant DJI.
According to the memo, which was acquired by sUAS news, due to an increased awareness of cyber vulnerabilities associated with DJI products, "it is directed that the U.S. Army hald use of all DJI products. This guidance applies to all DJI UAS and any system that employs DJI electrical components or software including, but not limited to, flight computers, cameras, radios, batteries, speed controllers, GPS units, handheld control stations or devices with DJI software applications installed."
The memo bluntly states "Cease all use, uninstall DJI applications, remove all batteries/storage media from devices, and secure equipment for follow-on direction."
sUAS news reports that it reached out to DJI concerning the matter. Public Relation Manger Michael Perry said in an email that the company is "surprised and disappointed to read reports of the U.S. Army’s unprompted restriction on DJI drones as we were not consulted during their decision. We are happy to work directly with any organization, including the U.S. Army, that has concerns about our management of cyber issues.
"We’ll be reaching out to the U.S. Army to confirm the memo and to understand what is specifically meant by ‘cyber vulnerabilities," Perry said.
Later, sUAS News posted an update saying that the Army confirmed that the guidance had in fact been issued, and that the service is "currently reviewing the guidance and cannot comment further at this time.”
(Image from file)
More News
Also: SkyReach Parts Support, Piper Service Ctr, Airliner Near-Miss, Airshow London The Judge overseeing Icon's convoluted Chapter 11 process has approved $9 million in Chapter 11 >[...]
ILS PRM Approach An instrument landing system (ILS) approach conducted to parallel runways whose extended centerlines are separated by less than 4,300 feet and at least 3,000 feet >[...]
Aero Linx: FlyPups FlyPups transports dogs from desperate situations to fosters, no-kill shelters, and fur-ever homes. We deliver trained dogs to veterans for service and companion>[...]
Also: Skydio Chief, Uncle Sam Sues, Dash 7 magniX, OR UAS Accelerator US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall was given a turn around the patch in the 'X-62A Variable In-flight>[...]
Also: NBAA on FAA Reauth, DJI AG Drones, HI Insurance Bill Defeated, SPSA Airtankers The Beechcraft Denali continues moving forward towards certification, having received its FAA T>[...]