AUVSI Commends the Reintroduction of Legislation to Secure U.S. Infrastructure from Adversary LiDAR Threats 

July 30, 2025

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) commends the reintroduction of the Securing Infrastructure from Adversaries Act by Representative Dusty Johnson (R-SD). This legislation would prohibit the U.S. Department of Transportation from awarding contracts or grants to entities that procure Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) systems from companies affiliated with foreign adversaries, including the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Iran, North Korea, and Russia. 

AUVSI CEO Michael Robbins said, “This legislation marks an important step forward in strengthening the security of America’s transportation systems and critical infrastructure. As LiDAR technology becomes increasingly central to the future of transportation, including autonomous systems, it’s essential that the technology used to build and operate our national infrastructure is safe, secure, and protected against adversarial interference.” 

The legislation would apply to contracts or financial assistance issued after June 30, 2026, and includes a national security waiver provision for limited exceptions. Covered entities would include those listed on the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Consolidated Screening List or identified as PRC military companies under existing law. 

LiDAR, which uses pulsed lasers to measure distance and map environments, is a critical enabling technology for autonomous systems, intelligent transportation networks, and infrastructure inspection. By preventing the use of foreign-made LiDAR systems from adversarial countries, the bill aims to mitigate risks posed by espionage, cyber vulnerabilities, and data exploitation. 

“AUVSI has long advocated for a secure supply chain for autonomous and uncrewed systems,” Robbins added. “This bill aligns with Executive Orders recently issued by the Trump Administration which emphasized the need to identify vulnerabilities in the domestic autonomy and sensor industrial base and strengthen procurement protections across federal agencies. We urge Congress to act swiftly and pass this commonsense legislation.” 

In a recent letter to New York Governor Kathy Hochul, NYC Mayor Eric Adams, and key state agency officials, AUVSI underscored the risks associated with the use of PRC-affiliated LiDAR systems at major transportation hubs like JFK International Airport and Penn Station. The letter urges state and local leaders to conduct a full audit of sensor technologies in use, isolate and replace foreign-manufactured systems from adversarial nations, and prioritize procurement from trusted U.S. or allied sources. While this letter was sent to leaders in New York in response to specific documented instances, AUVSI’s recommendations serve as a framework for states and localities nationwide to safeguard infrastructure from adversarial exploitation. 

AUVSI and its members remain committed to working with Congress, the Administration, and state and local authorities to ensure the integrity of technologies that support U.S. infrastructure and national security. 

Read the full text of the House bill here and read Representative Johnson’s press release here. 

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Media Contact:
Ryan Carver
rcarver@auvsi.org