Washington state drone news: regulations, industry developments, innovative uses, events, and the impact on businesses and communities in the state.
What began as a Chinese boy’s dream to simplify flying helicopters in the 1990s spiraled into DJI, a global drone empire that reshaped aerial photography, surveillance, and modern warfare. From a forgotten 2005 customs bust in Japan to the battlefields…
Buckle up for a no-holds-barred dive into the wild world of drones with hosts Bobby Ouyang (SkyeBrowse) and Luis Figueiredo, joined by search-and-rescue ace Kyle Nordfors (Weber County SAR), in the latest episode of their fifth season. This trio doesn’t…
In a pioneering study, researchers have leveraged drones to capture unprecedented footage of narwhals using their iconic tusks in surprising ways. Published in February 2025 in Frontiers in Marine Science and covered by The New York Times, this work reveals…
The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is redirecting its focus toward drone technology and counter-drone systems as part of a significant budget reshuffle, moving approximately $50 billion from legacy programs to new priorities. This shift, detailed in a recent Business…
On February 25, 2025, the Newport Beach City Council unanimously approved a five-year, $2,176,037.60 contract with BRINC Drones Inc. to launch an advanced drone program for the city’s Police department. This move marks a significant step toward integrating cutting-edge unmanned…
Boeing has put its Insitu drone subsidiary on the market, signaling a significant shift in its business strategy as the aerospace giant seeks to divest non-core assets and refocus on its primary commercial and defense operations. The move, first reported…
Welcome to your weekly UAS news update! We have five stories for you this week: a drone crash into a uranium mine, a Georgia bill to ban Chinese drones, the North Dakota Senate rejecting a Chinese drone ban, the Sumas…
Did you know there is an invisible no-fly zone that could cost you your drone and your pilot license? On top of that, it can move at any time. Now, if you fly your drone anywhere near the coast, you…
Washington Township Police Department, Ohio has acquired a DJI Matrice 30T drone for emergency response and search-and-rescue operations, with funding of $17,000 provided primarily through the Washington Township Police Officers Association, according to Chief Michael Thompson. The department’s new M30T…
The regulatory storm surrounding DJI drones in the U.S. shows no signs of clearing, and Vice President JD Vance’s recent comments at the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit in Paris only reinforce the broader momentum against Chinese-made tech. While Vance did…
Welcome to your Weekly UAS News update. We have four stories for you this week: a drone operator charged for hitting the Super Scooper, Unusual Machine to acquire Aloft, a YouTuber’s plea deal, and numerous new drone bills in state…
We have four stories for you this week: the NTSB preliminary report on the drone show accident in Orlando, a regulatory freeze – that’s an important thing, a possible DJI release list for 2025, and lastly, a new drone bill…
The Civil Air Patrol is set to perform a series of drone calibration flights in Washington D.C.’s highly restricted airspace, marking an unusual occurrence in one of the nation’s most tightly controlled aerial zones. The flights, scheduled from January 13…
The U.S. Commerce Department announced plans to consider new rules that could significantly restrict or ban Chinese-made drones in the American market, citing mounting national security concerns over potential remote access and data manipulation capabilities. The announcement, made today, marks…
Alabama‘s Department of Transportation (ALDOT) has launched a formal drone program that signals the growing maturation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) deployment across state transportation agencies. The initiative, which places dedicated personnel in charge of drone operations, represents a shift…
In an unprecedented blend of Drone Technology and holiday tradition, the White House has released a spectacular first-person view (FPV) drone tour of its 2023 Christmas decorations, created by renowned aerial cinematographer Jay Christensen. The mesmerizing flight, which takes viewers…
A critical Legal battle over drone access to airspace is unfolding in Michigan, where operators are challenging the University of Michigan’s broad prohibition of unmanned aircraft over its properties. The case, heard Tuesday in the Michigan Court of Claims, could…
Syrian rebels reportedly received covert drone support from Ukrainian intelligence operatives just weeks before toppling the Assad regime, marking a significant escalation in the intersection of global conflicts. According to a Washington Post report citing unnamed sources familiar with Ukraine‘s…
We have big news to share. You may already have seen online, but if not, the text of the 2025 NDAA was released by the House Rules Committee on Saturday. We are THRILLED to report that the Countering CCP Drones Act language did…
Welcome to your Weekly UAS News Update! We have three stories for you: DJI launches two new Agras products, Anzu Robotics with automated flight planning, and then lastly, a drone rescue in Washington. Let’s get to it! DJI Product Launches…
The European Union is preparing to expand its sanctions regime against Russia, with a particular focus on Chinese companies involved in manufacturing military drones for Moscow’s war effort. The proposed 15th sanctions package aims to tighten restrictions on Russia’s military…
A heated debate is underway in Washington as Republican lawmakers advocate for legislation to ban DJI drones, citing national security concerns. However, in a short film from the Financial Times, [former] DJI executives and industry experts warn that such a…
A weather-proof drone deployed by the Clark County Sheriff’s Office played a pivotal role in rescuing two mushroom hunters lost in Skamania County’s treacherous backcountry during harsh winter conditions on November 17, 2024, reports KOIN. The rescue operation, which involved…
Washington‘s Wildlife officials are taking to the skies with drones to revolutionize how they track swan and goose populations. The Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has initiated a multi-year drone survey program across three counties, according to…
Skydio, America’s largest drone manufacturer and a vital supplier to Ukraine‘s military, is grappling with an unprecedented supply chain crisis after Beijing imposed sweeping sanctions, blocking access to essential components, according to the Financial Times. Supply Chain Disruption Threatens Operations…
In a groundbreaking archaeological discovery, drone-based LiDAR technology has unveiled two extensive medieval cities hidden in the mountains of Uzbekistan, challenging our understanding of ancient trade routes and urban development. The findings, recently published in Nature, demonstrate how modern aerial…
In recent years, DJI drones have become ubiquitous in the U.S., used by everyone from First Responders and small businesses to hobbyists and farmers. The reasons are simple: DJI makes highly capable, safe, reliable, affordable, and easy-to-fly drones that are…
DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) challenging its designation as a “Chinese military company.” The Legal action, initiated on October 18, 2023, seeks to remove DJI from the Pentagon’s…
The United States has taken significant action by imposing sanctions on two Chinese companies and a Russian affiliate for their involvement in the production and shipment of attack drones used in the ongoing Ukraine conflict, as reported by Reuters. This…
North Korea has accused South Korea of flying drones carrying anti-North Korean propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang, escalating tensions between the two nations. The allegations, reported by The Associated Press, have led to threats of retaliation from the North. Alleged Drone…
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