WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. army is pondering to stop the use of all DJI equipment and related supporting appliance due to "cyber vulnerabilities" concern, according to sUAS News, an information source specialized in unmanned aviation.
The Friday report by sUAS News has a memo from the U.S. Army Department as the source.
Playing a leading role in producing unmanned aircrafts, the Chinese company DJI, established in 2006, has founded offices across the world, including the United States.
According to the memo, DJI products are "the most widely used non-program of record commercial off-the-shelf" unmanned aircraft systems employed by U.S. army but "due to increased awareness of cyber vulnerabilities associated with DJI products," the army is directed to halt use of all DJI products.
Besides drones, flight computers, cameras, radios, batteries, speed controllers, GPS units, handheld control stations and any device with DJI software application installed on its products are all listed to cease the use.
The memo has as references the reports by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and a navy memorandum, both dated in May.
"We are 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," DJI's Public Relation Manager in charge of U.S. market, Michael Perry was quoted by sUAS News.
The DJI manage said the company will contact the army to "confirm the memo" and to make clear what "cyber vulnerabilities" specifically means.
According to sUAS News, a U.S. Army spokesman confirmed via email that the directive to cease use of DJI products was issued but he was reluctant to made further comments.
