Gemfan is a Chinese propeller manufacturer, and its propellers are made in China. For US programs subject to NDAA covered-country flow-down requirements — which reach individual components, propellers included — that typically rules foreign-made parts like these out. Whether a specific part is permitted on a specific program depends on your contract's flow-downs, so confirm with your compliance team.
Why country of origin is the deciding factor
NDAA covered-country and flow-down requirements ban federal agencies from purchasing or operating UAS — and their components — from covered foreign entities, and they extend to federal grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements. Prime contractors flow the same requirements down to their suppliers, and compliance is required at the component level, not just the system level. Our NDAA covered-country explainer covers the mechanics.
The result: for a program under these flow-downs, the question isn't whether a propeller performs well — it's where it and its materials come from, and whether you can document that.
The practical problem: platforms were designed around these props
Gemfan-class tri-blades are what a large share of US FPV and Group 2 airframes were designed and tuned around. That's exactly why the sourcing restriction hurts: dropping the part means either redesigning and re-tuning the platform, or finding a domestic equivalent that matches the same size, pitch, and rotation.
Domestic drop-in replacements for common Gemfan sizes
Anvil Propulsion makes domestic, NDAA-compliant drone propellers engineered as drop-in replacements for the Gemfan parts US programs commonly fly:
| Referenced Part | Size | Domestic Drop-In |
|---|---|---|
| Gemfan Hurricane 51466 | 5.1×3.6×3 | ANV-P5136 |
| Gemfan Flash 7040 | 7×4×3 | ANV-P7040 |
| Gemfan 8040-3 | 8×4×3 | ANV-P8040 |
| Gemfan 1050 Cinelifter | 10×5×3 | ANV-P1050 |
| Gemfan D90-3 / D90S-3 3.5″ | 3.5×3×3 | ANV-D3530 |
| Gemfan Fury 5131.0 | 5.1×3.1×3 | ANV-P5131 |
| Gemfan Hurricane 6045-3 | 6×4.5×3 | ANV-P6045 |
| Gemfan Flash 7042 | 7×4.2×2 | ANV-P7042 |
| Gemfan 1051F-2 | 10×5.1×2 | ANV-F1051-2 |
| Gemfan 1051F-3 | 10×5.1×3 | ANV-F1051-3 |
We also make a 5×4.3×3 referenced to HQProp 5X4.3X3 V1S in the same Gemfan/HQProp equivalence class.
If Gemfan parts are on your BOM
- Inventory the sizes and part numbers you currently fly.
- Vet domestic replacements against the component-level compliance checklist — a US label alone is not a US supply chain.
- Send us the part numbers — we'll confirm fitment and come back with availability.