USAF is buying banned DJI drones to train its operators against the 'most statistically probable real-world threat'

Date:
Thu, 20 Aug 2026 22:25:00 +0000

Description:
The US Air Force is buying restricted DJI drones for nuclear missile base training, seeking realistic exposure to commercial drone threats.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter US Air Force buys banned DJI drones to train against likely hostile aircraft F.E. Warren base will use DJI aircraft for counter-drone security drills RIZER software will isolate the
DJI drones before they enter training The US Air Force plans to buy DJI
drones for counter-drone training at F.E. Warren Air Force Base in Wyoming.

The purchase involves Chinese-made drones that security forces will use to rehearse responses against drones encountered during actual threats. F.E. Warren operates Minuteman III missiles, making protection against airborne incursions an important part of its security mission. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: Air Force seeks restricted DJI drones for realistic training The 90th Contracting Squadron issued a solicitation for banned DJI drones on August 14 2026, with vendor quotes due August 24 for the planned purchase.

The order seeks two refurbished DJI Mavic 2 Pro quadcopters with Fly More
kits for training at the missile base. You may like The FCC could start banning DJI drones that have previously been approved The FCC is going after companies it suspects are sneaking DJI kit into the US The US Army is opening up its training centers for private firms to test out new drones

It also requests two DJI Mini 3 Pro drones, two DJI Avata 2 Fly More combos and six payload release devices.

The Air Force says these systems will support counter-small unmanned aircraft training involving detection, electronic warfare and methods for defeating drones. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

Officials specifically require DJI drones because its radio signals and
flight systems differ from those found on competing devices.

To properly test our counter-systems and train our operators against the most statistically probable real-world threat, the 90 MSOS must utilize the exact devices adversaries are most likely to employ, the justification states.

Using different systems could leave operators without practical experience against DJI communication methods and radio frequency signatures. What to
read next US buys 2000 F-Drones F10 attack UAVs from Ukraine as the Pentagon moves to its next phase Ukrainian drones disabled US armor brigade in simulated warfare 'so quickly' that they had to respawn the equipment The Pentagon has unveiled an improved online store to buy counter-drone kits, but you probably won't ever be able to see it How the banned drones will be used The procurement is designated as a brand-name requirement, meaning the Air Force specifically seeks DJI hardware rather than comparable models.

However, the document says several authorized DJI resellers can satisfy the requirement, allowing the purchase under a small-business set-aside.

The procurement therefore does not necessarily mean the government will award the contract directly to DJI itself.

The purchase also addresses cybersecurity concerns because DJI aircraft have faced restrictions within parts of the U.S. government.

The justification cites a Secretary of War memorandum called Unleashing U.S. Military Drone Dominance as authority for limited purchases.

That authority permits colonels and equivalent officers to obtain small quantities of foreign drone equipment for electronic warfare testing.

The cited legal basis is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), which permits single-source solicitation under specified circumstances.

Before operational use, each aircraft will receive RIZER software intended to prevent communications with foreign entities or Department of War networks.

The document describes RIZER as replacing the aircraft's native firmware and creating an air-gapped system for training operations.

F.E. Warren is not alone, since Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana is reportedly pursuing similar DJI aircraft for counter-drone training.

Using the same drone type at both missile bases would allow Global Strike Command to replicate similar threat conditions.

Whether that approach provides sufficient value depends on how closely the modified aircraft retain DJI's original signals and operating
characteristics.

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/usaf-is-buying-banned-dji-drones-to-train-its-op erators-against-the-most-statistically-probable-real-world-threat


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