Drone policy, incidents, and industry news across the United States — from statehouses to the national airspace.
The U.S. Navy is working to pair its SEAL mini-submarines with uncrewed underwater vehicles, sending robotic scouts ahead of operators into the most defended stretches of any covert mission. Navy Captain Mike Linn confirmed the program at SOF Week 2026 in Tampa, where he heads the Naval Special Warfare program office. The goal is straightforward.…
The Alaska Division of Forestry and Fire Protection (DFFP) used its Unmanned Aerial Systems Module to identify hot spots and spot fires across the Gerstle River during the Sawmill Creek Fire, helping ground crews achieve 100 percent containment four days after ignition. The fire was held to 14.8 acres on state land east of Delta…
The Seminole City Council voted 4-3 on May 12, 2026 to reject Walmart’s proposal for a Wing-operated drone delivery nest at the Walmart Supercenter at 10237 Bay Pines Blvd, blocking what would have been the company’s first launch site in Pinellas County. The decision marks the first municipal-level rejection inside Walmart and Wing’s broader Tampa…
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office in Flagstaff, Arizona is using the latest AI-capable Skydio drones with the LOC8 G2 image-analysis platform to compress search and rescue photo review from thousands of drone images down to about twenty per mission. The agency also works with a Scotland-based company to build environment-specific AI models for Northern Arizona…
Vanderbilt University Public Safety has launched a drone first-responder program for its Nashville campus, with installation and personnel training completed in April 2026 and initial operations conducted during Commencement week. The fleet is built on Skydio X10 platforms, equipped with high-resolution cameras, thermal imaging, and a parachute recovery system. According to the university, a drone
Amazon Prime Air has filed for a conditional use permit in Nampa, Idaho, asking the city to approve a 21,000-square-foot drone delivery center at its existing fulfillment site on East Franklin Road. The Nampa Planning and Zoning Commission is scheduled to vote on the application on May 26, 2026. If approved, MK30 drones would serve…
Welcome to your weekly UAS News Update. I have three stories for you this week: Autel is fighting back against the FCC’s Covered List, the Michigan House passed two drone procurement bills while stalling on airspace restrictions, and a drones-for-good story where a thermal drone saved a life in freezing temperatures. Let’s get to it.…
Blueflite, the Brighton-based drone manufacturer that has been flying the Munson pilot, is now integrating its aircraft with medical payload bags
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