Drone policy, incidents, and industry news across the United States — from statehouses to the national airspace.
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 a missing 85-year-old man. And a viral drone show proposal set a new standard for…
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 NDAA-compliant components needed to actually build drones at wartime scale. UAS Nexus launched the Drone…
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.
A Bradenton Police Department drone pilot recently captured a rare and heartwarming scene along the Manatee River near Bradenton Riverwalk
The drone was launched from the NOAA WP 3D Hurricane Hunter Aircraft known as Kermit. Then the tiny uncrewed aircraft system was dropped
The Washington National Guard is getting ready for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as reported by Military Times and they are treating drones like the new wildcard on the field. Earlier this month, Guard leaders and security officials gathered at Seattle’s Lumen Field to simulate drone attacks during a live match. The scenario was part…
Shenzhen-based Blue Wing showcased its SkyTow-201 drone towing system at France’s Coupe Icare festival, drawing strong European interest despite facing regulatory hurdles that could delay market entry for years. A Chinese drone startup has developed a six-propeller system that tows paragliders and hang gliders to altitude, potentially eliminating the need for trucks, winches, and complex…
Portland, Maine’s City Council voted 4-3 Monday night to reject the police department’s proposal to purchase a $45,000 drone for search-and-rescue operations and accident reconstruction, marking another rare example of sustained citizen resistance to police drone adoption as most U.S. cities rapidly deploy aerial surveillance with minimal public debate. The Portland Police Department sought to…
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