Mini 5 Pro leaks, DOC Drone Regulations on Trade and Importation, 30-mile Drone Delivery

Welcome to the weekly UAS news update. There are three stories this week: more DJI Mini 5 Pro leaks with a possible release date, a forthcoming Department of Commerce regulation on drone trade and importation, and a 30-mile medical drone delivery in Kansas. Let’s get to it.

DJI Mini 5 Pro leaks

Trustworthy sources and leaked images point to a September 16 launch, with the drone hitting shelves as soon as September 17. The marketing slogan appears to be “Pro in Mini,” and based on the leaked images, that seems accurate.

The biggest news is an apparent 1-inch sensor inside a sub-250 g drone. The camera is rumored to have an f/1.8 lens, which would be fantastic for low-light performance and for those seeking that look in photos or videos. Leaked photos also clearly show what looks like a forward-facing LiDAR or sensor, which would aid obstacle avoidance. This could also help protect what appears to be a slightly larger, newer gimbal.

European pricing has surfaced: the screenless RCN3 controller with the drone is expected to start at $799, and the Fly More Combo with the RC2 controller is expected to be $1,129. There are even rumors that Mini 3 and Mini 4 batteries may work in the new Mini 5, which would be a big plus.

One major catch—especially given the next story—is that the Mini 5 may not be available in the United States, similar to the Mavic 4. We’ll have to wait and see.

Commerce Department regulation

According to a report from Reuters, the U.S. Commerce Department will release regulations to address national security risks. These rules will target information and communications technology in drones from China and other foreign adversaries. While the announcement didn’t provide specifics, this action follows the ANPRM (Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) from earlier this year.

It’s important to note the ANPRM is separate from the existing audit requirement set in the 2024 NDAA for DJI and Autel. Currently, nearly 80% of the U.S. consumer and commercial drone market relies on DJI platforms. Supporting a secure American drone industrial base is critical, but there is no direct, affordable alternative for consumers and small businesses right now. A sudden ban would likely cause major disruption and could result in the loss of tens of thousands of small businesses, severely impacting the industry. There’s no preview yet of the draft text from the Commerce Department, but updates will follow. This is definitely concerning.

30-mile medical drone delivery in Kansas

Kansas just made history with the state’s first long-range medical drone delivery. In a landmark test flight, the Community Healthcare System used a Pyka autonomous drone to deliver an AED to a rural hospital in Onaga. The 30-mile flight took 30 minutes, a trip that would have taken a courier van over an hour.

The drone was the Pyka Pelican Cargo, a VTOL aircraft with a 70 kg (150 lb) payload capacity and a range of 200 miles. For this mission, it flew autonomously along a pre-approved FAA flight plan. The project was a collaboration among the healthcare system, Kansas State University, and the Kansas Department of Transportation. This is an excellent use case for drone delivery, especially for time-sensitive medical logistics.

Postflight and closing

Before we go, a quick mention: this is our new mug, available for purchase—link in the description. It’s a 12 oz right- or left-handed mug that keeps beverages hot for a long time.

On Postflight, the show where we discuss these stories and share opinions, we’ll also talk about our comment for the Part 108 NPRM. A video on that is planned for Monday. See you for that video and for the live show on Monday. Have a great weekend—we’ll see you then.

I was joking, but also not. No, it’s about 16 pages right now—it’s the proposal with six comments. We’re not just recommending a comment; we’re proposing the whole thing. There’s been a lot of behind-the-scenes research, not just with us here but with industry folks across the board. We wrote a full NPRM, technically, with proposed regulation—which is good. That’s the way it should be, because it will help the FAA see the vision.