FAR 52.240-1
US procurement rule banning ASDA-covered foreign drones from all federal contracts.
Since 13 March, FAR 52.240-1 has barred ASDA-covered foreign drones from US federal contracts, making supply-chain certification a condition of eligibility.
Last refreshed: 1 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic
How many federal contractors can actually certify compliance today?
Timeline for FAR 52.240-1
Mentioned in: CBP caps duty on allied-made drones
Drones: Industry & DefencePentagon files secret brief against DJI
Drones: Industry & DefenceMentioned in: Drone Tariff Deadline Passes in Silence
Drones: Industry & DefenceTook effect 13 March 2026; banned Chinese drones from US contracts
Drones: Industry & Defence: Chinese drones banned from US contractsBackground
FAR 52.240-1 is a Federal Acquisition Regulation clause that excludes unmanned aircraft systems made or assembled by foreign entities covered by the American Security Drone Act from US federal contracts. Contractors must certify compliance across the relevant supply chain.
The clause is a procurement rule, not an import ban or a product-certification decision. Its significance lies in how it reaches federal buyers through their contractors, including integrators whose systems contain covered motors, cameras or flight controllers.
FAR 52.240-1 operates alongside FCC restrictions affecting foreign-made drones. The two regimes have separate legal effects: FCC action concerns equipment authorisation, while the FAR clause governs whether a supplier can take part in federal contracting.
FAR 52.240-1 bars foreign drones
On 13 March, FAR 52.240-1 made compliance with the American Security Drone Act a procurement condition for federal contractors. The clause covers drones made or assembled by covered foreign entities, so a contractor must assess components and suppliers rather than only the finished aircraft.
The rule sat alongside the FCC Covered List in April, when the Pentagon opposed DJI's court challenge to that separate restriction. For FAR 52.240-1, the practical effect is a distinct contract-eligibility test even while disputes over FCC restrictions continue.