Haye Kesteloo is the Editor in Chief and Founder of DroneXL.co, where he covers all drone-related news, DJI rumors and writes drone reviews, and of EVXL.co, for all electric vehicle news. Haye can be reached at haye @ dronexl.co or @hayekesteloo.
The newly released Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes provisions requiring a comprehensive security evaluation of Chinese drone manufacturers DJI and Autel Robotics, potentially leading to restrictions on their use in the United States. The legislation mandates that within one year of enactment, a designated national security agency must evaluate whether communicat
We are THRILLED to report that the Countering CCP Drones Act language did NOT make it into the final version of the NDAA bill!
A Naval Junior ROTC program at South Caldwell High School is taking an innovative approach to drone education, combining hands-on flight training with discussions of ethics and practical applications. The program, reportedly funded by a $1,500 Blue Ridge Electric Bright Ideas grant, features both a primary drone equipped with video capabilities and two smaller training…
Drone imagery startup Spexi has raised $11.5 million in Series A funding to expand its network of pilots capturing ultra-high-resolution aerial data. Led by Blockchange Ventures, the funding validates Spexi’s innovative approach to building a standardized global imagery database that delivers 900 times the detail of traditional satellite imagery at significantly lower costs. The Vancouver-based…
A wave of mysterious drone sightings across New Jersey has prompted investigations by federal authorities and raised questions about drone surveillance and airspace security. Reports describe large unmanned aircraft conducting systematic flights over critical infrastructure, including reservoirs, power lines, and railways across at least 10 counties since mid-November, reports the NY Times. The dr
The United States has unveiled a significant new military aid package for Ukraine worth $988 million, which includes various unmanned aerial systems and related technology. The announcement came during the Reagan National Defense Forum in California on December 7, 2024, reports Reuters. This latest package draws from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), representing nearly…
Amazon has achieved a significant milestone in its European drone delivery ambitions, successfully completing its first test flight in Italy using the MK-30 delivery drone, reports Reuters. The December 4th test, conducted in the central Italian town of San Salvo, Abruzzo, marks a crucial step in Amazon’s plans to expand its Prime Air service beyond…
Drone industry veteran Vic Moss is raising urgent concerns about potential restrictions on Chinese-made drones being considered for inclusion in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Speaking in his personal capacity and on behalf of the Drone Service Providers Alliance (DSPA), Moss warns that proposed language from the Countering CCP Drones Act could have catastrophic…
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