DJI, the worlds leading drone manufacturer, has submitted new filings to the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for its anticipated Mini 5 Pro drone.
While such filings typically precede product launches, the current geopolitical climate suggests that this may not indicate an imminent release, at least for US pilots.The FCC documentation reveals the Mini 5 Pros model number and includes a label indicating compliance with US regulations.
However, the labels presence doesnt guarantee the drones market entry, especially given the US governments ongoing concerns about Chinese-made drones.The Mini 5 Pro is rumored to feature significant upgrades over its predecessor, the Mini 4 Pro, which was released in September 2023.
Speculations include a larger one-inch camera sensor and LiDAR-based obstacle avoidance, while the FCC label confirms a whopping 4,680mAh battery that could provide an extended flight time of up to 50 minutes.
Ideally, all this will be done while maintaining a weight under 250 grams to comply with FAA registration exemptions for recreational pilots.The Mini 3 Pro, released in May 2022, introduced features like a 48MP camera and tri-directional obstacle sensing.
The subsequent Mini 4 Pro enhanced these capabilities with omnidirectional sensing and improved video transmission.
The Mini 5 Pro aims to build upon this foundation, offering professional-grade features in a compact form factor.Advertisement - scroll for more contentHowever, DJIs future in the US market faces uncertainty.
The Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes provisions that could lead to a ban on DJI products if a national security review isnt conducted by the end of the year.
If no agency assesses the security risks of DJIs products by December 31, 2025, the company could be added to the FCCs Covered List, effectively banning its products from the US communications infrastructure.
DJI has proactively requested such a review, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and security.In the meantime, the drone maker appears to be accelerating its FCC filings, possibly to secure approvals before any potential restrictions take effect.
This strategy suggests that while the Mini 5 Pros FCC filing is a positive step, it doesnt necessarily indicate an immediate product launch.More:Dolly Zoom arrives on DJI Flip drone in latest updateFTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links.More.