Export controls, the Shenzhen supply chain, and the geopolitics of the world’s drone-manufacturing superpower.
The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has suspended imports of certain drones from Chinese manufacturer DJI, according to a Reuters report. This action stems from concerns related to the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA), a law designed to combat forced labor abuses in China’s Xinjiang region. Update 1: DJI confirmed the letter…
In a significant development for the drone industry, a Chinese aviation company has rolled out the first prototype of a large tiltrotor drone capable of carrying a whopping two-ton payload. Wuhu News reports that Shenzhen-based United Aircraft completed assembly of the Lanying R6000 drone, also known as the Lanthanum Shadow, at its facility in Wuhu…
A University of Minnesota agricultural engineering grad student from China has been sentenced to six months in prison for illegally flying a drone over a sensitive U.S. naval shipbuilding base in Virginia. The incident, reported by the Star Tribune, highlights growing concerns about drone use near critical infrastructure. The Drone Flight and Arrest Fengyun Shi,…
The Myanmar military junta is stepping up its drone game, taking a page from rebel groups but cranking it up to 11. According to a recent report from The Washington Post, they’re now using a mix of souped-up commercial drones and custom military tech to launch a barrage of deadly strikes against rebels and civilians.…
A San Antonio-based drone startup is positioning itself to challenge Chinese drone giant DJI’s dominance in the military and public safety markets. Darkhive, founded in 2021 by John Goodson and Steve Turner, is developing affordable, easy-to-use drones manufactured outside of China. Filling a Critical Gap in US Drone Capabilities Darkhive’s founders recognized a significant vulnerability…
In a recent presentation at the Skydio Ascend Event, CEO Adam Bry attempted to address mounting criticisms of the company’s dramatic shift from consumer drones to the defense and first responder markets. But what he glossed over was the true nature of Skydio’s aggressive lobbying efforts against industry leader DJI. While Bry acknowledged Skydio’s lobbying…
In a significant development, Russia’s state-owned weapons company Almaz-Antey has reportedly established a drone production program in China, aimed at developing and manufacturing long-range attack drones for use in the Ukraine conflict, according to a Reuters investigation. This move could potentially reshape the dynamics of the ongoing war and raise new concerns about international cooperation…
In a compelling video produced by the U.PASS Foundation, the critical importance of agricultural drones in modern farming is brought to the forefront. This presentation, accompanied by a detailed transcript below, highlights the numerous benefits of drone technology in agriculture and addresses the potential consequences of banning Chinese-made agricultural drones in the United States. As…
One email with the drone news that matters — DJI, FAA, public safety, and everything in between, straight from the newsroom. No spam, no fluff.
