Drones
Drones (UAS/UAV): Latest on unmanned aerial tech, regulations, applications, and industry trends. From consumer to commercial and military drones.
Why the “Pain” of a DJI Drone Ban Means Lives Lost, Not Just Lost Profits
In a recent Bloomberg Opinion piece, columnist Thomas Black argues that the forced transition from Chinese-made drones to American alternatives is a “necessary pain” required to secure our national supply chain. He frames this transition as a messy spreadsheet calculation,…
Florida’s DJI Drone Ban: A $200 Million Disaster With No Evidence
Florida destroyed $200 million in functional public safety drones citing Chinese espionage threats, provided only $25 million for inferior replacements that catch fire and fall from the sky, and never published the security analysis that was supposed to justify it…
France Races Year-End Deadline For Ukraine Drone Deals As UK And Germany Dominate Funding
French drone manufacturers are scrambling to finalize co-production agreements with Ukraine before 2025 ends, but face stiff competition from Britain and Germany, which have already established direct funding channels and secured battlefield-proven partnerships. The November 17 meeting between Presidents Emmanuel…
Florida Turns Banned Chinese Drones Into Military Target Practice for Counter-Drone Training
More than 500 Chinese-made drones confiscated under Florida’s controversial 2023 ban are getting a second (short) life as target practice for US Special Operations Command, according to Bloomberg News. The quadcopters, originally headed for the incinerator, will instead be shot…
NYPD Drone Flights Surge 3,200% as Watchdog Warns of Unchecked Surveillance
The New York Police Department conducted 6,546 drone flights in the first six months of 2025, representing a 3,200% increase since 2022, according to a new report by civil rights watchdog Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.). The explosive growth raises…
Police Drone Injures Child in Kent Crash, Wisconsin Deputies Save Missing Man with Thermal Drone
Welcome to your weekly US news update from Pilot Institute. We have three important stories this week that show both the risks and benefits of drone operations. A police drone crashed and injured a child. A thermal drone helped rescue…
UAS Nexus Launches Drone Syndicate To Solve Blue UAS Component Supply Chaos
Utah engineering firm unveils NDAA-compliant parts marketplace and MOSA-first FPV platform as Pentagon drone orders surge. While defense contractors battle for Blue UAS contracts, a Salt Lake City engineering firm is solving a more fundamental problem: sourcing the thousands of…
Rheinmetall Bets Big on Code: Major Stake in Auterion Signals Shift to Software-Defined Warfare
German defense giant Rheinmetall has acquired a significant stake in U.S. drone software leader Auterion, signaling a massive industry shift where hardware manufacturers finally admit that future wars will be fought with code, not just explosives. Rheinmetall, the manufacturer behind…
DJI Avata 360 Clears FCC Hurdle With 34 Days Until Potential Ban Deadline
The DJI Avata 360 has secured FCC certification on November 19, 2025, clearing the regulatory hurdle that allows the company to legally sell its groundbreaking 360-degree FPV drone in the United States. But there’s a catch: this approval comes just…
Drone Maker DJI Invests in 3D Printer Giant Elegoo Amid US Ban Fears
DJI has officially invested in the parent company of ELEGOO, a leading manufacturer of consumer 3D printers, in a move widely seen as a strategic hedge against potential U.S. bans.
Police Drone Spots Manatees and Dolphin in Florida River
A Bradenton Police Department drone pilot recently captured a rare and heartwarming scene along the Manatee River near Bradenton Riverwalk, as My Sun Coast reported. Not one, but two manatees drifted through the calm water. A playful dolphin even joined…
Record Drone Drops Into Hurricane Melissa’s Fury
Hurricane Melissa did not hold back. The Category 5 beast tore across the Caribbean and tied the record for the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane when it slammed western Jamaica on Oct. 28. NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters had a front row seat…