Why do you think no US drone company has taken on DJI yet?

So, here’s what I don’t get… DJI is like the king of drones, right? You’d think a big American company would step up and compete, but it just hasn’t happened. I was looking at some US-made drones, and honestly, they don’t come close to what DJI is doing. Why do you think we don’t have a solid US competitor in the drone market?

It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

Parker said:

Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

It’s all about supporting the military over commercial needs.

Wynn said:

Parker said:
Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

It’s all about supporting the military over commercial needs.

Why not do both? Sell to the military and consumers. The data from drones would be really useful, and it’s ironic that the US government doesn’t trust DJI but also doesn’t try to get that data for itself.

Bao said:

Wynn said:
Parker said:
Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

It’s all about supporting the military over commercial needs.

Why not do both? Sell to the military and consumers. The data from drones would be really useful, and it’s ironic that the US government doesn’t trust DJI but also doesn’t try to get that data for itself.

The US economy thrives on military exports. But for consumers, banning DJI feels more like paranoia about China. The government’s worried about data, but most of what DJI collects is already accessible through other means.

Wynn said:

Bao said:
Wynn said:
Parker said:
Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

It’s all about supporting the military over commercial needs.

Why not do both? Sell to the military and consumers. The data from drones would be really useful, and it’s ironic that the US government doesn’t trust DJI but also doesn’t try to get that data for itself.

The US economy thrives on military exports. But for consumers, banning DJI feels more like paranoia about China. The government’s worried about data, but most of what DJI collects is already accessible through other means.

Actually, defense spending is just a small percentage of the GDP, about 3%. But because the US has a huge economy, our military spending makes up a big chunk of the global total.

Harley said:

Wynn said:
Bao said:
Wynn said:
Parker said:
Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

It’s all about supporting the military over commercial needs.

Why not do both? Sell to the military and consumers. The data from drones would be really useful, and it’s ironic that the US government doesn’t trust DJI but also doesn’t try to get that data for itself.

The US economy thrives on military exports. But for consumers, banning DJI feels more like paranoia about China. The government’s worried about data, but most of what DJI collects is already accessible through other means.

Actually, defense spending is just a small percentage of the GDP, about 3%. But because the US has a huge economy, our military spending makes up a big chunk of the global total.

It’s not just about spending, though. The policies in place are influenced heavily by the military-industrial complex, not just numbers.

Wynn said:

Harley said:
Wynn said:
Bao said:
Wynn said:
Parker said:
Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

It’s all about supporting the military over commercial needs.

Why not do both? Sell to the military and consumers. The data from drones would be really useful, and it’s ironic that the US government doesn’t trust DJI but also doesn’t try to get that data for itself.

The US economy thrives on military exports. But for consumers, banning DJI feels more like paranoia about China. The government’s worried about data, but most of what DJI collects is already accessible through other means.

Actually, defense spending is just a small percentage of the GDP, about 3%. But because the US has a huge economy, our military spending makes up a big chunk of the global total.

It’s not just about spending, though. The policies in place are influenced heavily by the military-industrial complex, not just numbers.

China’s leading in tech development, and it’s frustrating to see the US lag behind.

Molly12 said:

Wynn said:
Harley said:
Wynn said:
Bao said:
Wynn said:
Parker said:
Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

It’s all about supporting the military over commercial needs.

Why not do both? Sell to the military and consumers. The data from drones would be really useful, and it’s ironic that the US government doesn’t trust DJI but also doesn’t try to get that data for itself.

The US economy thrives on military exports. But for consumers, banning DJI feels more like paranoia about China. The government’s worried about data, but most of what DJI collects is already accessible through other means.

Actually, defense spending is just a small percentage of the GDP, about 3%. But because the US has a huge economy, our military spending makes up a big chunk of the global total.

It’s not just about spending, though. The policies in place are influenced heavily by the military-industrial complex, not just numbers.

China’s leading in tech development, and it’s frustrating to see the US lag behind.

The tech race between China and the US isn’t even close anymore.

Brooke said:

Molly12 said:
Wynn said:
Harley said:
Wynn said:
Bao said:
Wynn said:
Parker said:
Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

It’s all about supporting the military over commercial needs.

Why not do both? Sell to the military and consumers. The data from drones would be really useful, and it’s ironic that the US government doesn’t trust DJI but also doesn’t try to get that data for itself.

The US economy thrives on military exports. But for consumers, banning DJI feels more like paranoia about China. The government’s worried about data, but most of what DJI collects is already accessible through other means.

Actually, defense spending is just a small percentage of the GDP, about 3%. But because the US has a huge economy, our military spending makes up a big chunk of the global total.

It’s not just about spending, though. The policies in place are influenced heavily by the military-industrial complex, not just numbers.

China’s leading in tech development, and it’s frustrating to see the US lag behind.

The tech race between China and the US isn’t even close anymore.

China’s advances in tech make it hard for the US to keep up, especially with so much outsourced manufacturing.

Wynn said:

Bao said:
Wynn said:
Parker said:
Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

It’s all about supporting the military over commercial needs.

Why not do both? Sell to the military and consumers. The data from drones would be really useful, and it’s ironic that the US government doesn’t trust DJI but also doesn’t try to get that data for itself.

The US economy thrives on military exports. But for consumers, banning DJI feels more like paranoia about China. The government’s worried about data, but most of what DJI collects is already accessible through other means.

It’s frustrating. I’d love to keep flying my DJI, but it’s clear the US is just playing by the same rules China uses against us.

Jordan said:

Wynn said:
Bao said:
Wynn said:
Parker said:
Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

It’s all about supporting the military over commercial needs.

Why not do both? Sell to the military and consumers. The data from drones would be really useful, and it’s ironic that the US government doesn’t trust DJI but also doesn’t try to get that data for itself.

The US economy thrives on military exports. But for consumers, banning DJI feels more like paranoia about China. The government’s worried about data, but most of what DJI collects is already accessible through other means.

It’s frustrating. I’d love to keep flying my DJI, but it’s clear the US is just playing by the same rules China uses against us.

True, but we’re so used to cheap Chinese goods that losing DJI would be a huge blow, especially with rising costs everywhere.

Wynn said:

Jordan said:
Wynn said:
Bao said:
Wynn said:
Parker said:
Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

It’s all about supporting the military over commercial needs.

Why not do both? Sell to the military and consumers. The data from drones would be really useful, and it’s ironic that the US government doesn’t trust DJI but also doesn’t try to get that data for itself.

The US economy thrives on military exports. But for consumers, banning DJI feels more like paranoia about China. The government’s worried about data, but most of what DJI collects is already accessible through other means.

It’s frustrating. I’d love to keep flying my DJI, but it’s clear the US is just playing by the same rules China uses against us.

True, but we’re so used to cheap Chinese goods that losing DJI would be a huge blow, especially with rising costs everywhere.

I get it, but the data privacy concern is real for some people. It’s not just about price; it’s about security.

FlightFocusFinn said:

Ira said:
DJI got where they are because they were early to the game with the right team and passion. It’s the same story with any tech leader.

Not exactly. Apple also had a rough start but knew how to market themselves. DJI is just better at the core tech and pricing.

Apple built its ecosystem perfectly. DJI’s tech dominance is similar—they built a complete package that’s hard to match.

Jordan said:

Wynn said:
Jordan said:
Wynn said:
Bao said:
Wynn said:
Parker said:
Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

It’s all about supporting the military over commercial needs.

Why not do both? Sell to the military and consumers. The data from drones would be really useful, and it’s ironic that the US government doesn’t trust DJI but also doesn’t try to get that data for itself.

The US economy thrives on military exports. But for consumers, banning DJI feels more like paranoia about China. The government’s worried about data, but most of what DJI collects is already accessible through other means.

It’s frustrating. I’d love to keep flying my DJI, but it’s clear the US is just playing by the same rules China uses against us.

True, but we’re so used to cheap Chinese goods that losing DJI would be a huge blow, especially with rising costs everywhere.

I get it, but the data privacy concern is real for some people. It’s not just about price; it’s about security.

It’s always a battle of values, but in this case, it’s clear politics and business are deeply intertwined.

Wynn said:

Bao said:
Wynn said:
Parker said:
Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

It’s all about supporting the military over commercial needs.

Why not do both? Sell to the military and consumers. The data from drones would be really useful, and it’s ironic that the US government doesn’t trust DJI but also doesn’t try to get that data for itself.

The US economy thrives on military exports. But for consumers, banning DJI feels more like paranoia about China. The government’s worried about data, but most of what DJI collects is already accessible through other means.

It’s the same story everywhere—when politics and business mix, consumer interests are usually last.

Bao said:

Wynn said:
Parker said:
Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

It’s all about supporting the military over commercial needs.

Why not do both? Sell to the military and consumers. The data from drones would be really useful, and it’s ironic that the US government doesn’t trust DJI but also doesn’t try to get that data for itself.

DJI does cater to both markets, though. It’s what gives them that edge.

Parker said:

Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

Yeah, it’s all about that high profit margin and long-term contracts with the military.

In the long run, having a bigger customer base can be more sustainable than relying on one major client.

Kieran said:
It’s simple. US companies that make drones just sell them to the military for a massive markup. They don’t need to bother with the consumer market because they make way more money selling to the government.

I’ve heard Skydio is doing some cool stuff with scanning and industrial applications, though.