It isn't hard to "read between the lines" over the concern. Army officials are concerned that using DJI software and cameras, these quads are possibly subject to being hijacked (or skyjacked if airborne) by the Chinese military, or someone working on their behalf. Notice the directive includes removal of all storage media and batteries. They not only don't want the cameras being controlled remotely, they don't even want the possibility of them being turned on remotely, if there is a second hidden "on/off switch" somewhere in the hardware. This could open up a market for quads manufactured elsewhere, such as The US, The Euro Zone, Australia, or Japan. Quads aren't going away even if DJI and Yuneec both get severely damaged by this financially. The market for consumers, professionals, along with civilian and military agencies, is too big.
US Army Grounds DJI Drones Over 'Cyber Vulnerabilities'
Aviation International News
Shown is a DJI Phantom 4 quadcopter. The U.S. Army has issued 300 airworthiness releases for DJI products. (Photo: DJI). The U.S. Army has directed its units to cease using drones manufactured by Shenzhen, China-based DJI out of concern for “cyber ...
DJI Spark review: The tiny drone that makes you feel like a JediPocket-lint.com
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