Drone Companies

News, deep dives, and analysis — every Drone Companies story, newest first.

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Aug 25

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Thermal drone imagery of five elephants glowing orange and purple against dark bush, each framed by a white AI detection box labeled ELEPHANT #01 through #03

DJI

DJI Names 15 Onboard AI Challenge Winners, From Banana Farms to Bridge Cracks

DJI names 15 winners in its Enterprise Drone Onboard AI Challenge 2026, from a Colombian banana farm crop counter to closed-loop traffic inspection in China.

Haye KestelooAug 21

Pilot Institute host presenting the week 379 drone news update, with on-screen headlines about a DJI win, new drone tariffs and Chinese drone clearance

DJI

DJI Scores Its Biggest Legal Win in Years, New Drone Tariffs Hit 100%, and the HOVERAir Versa Clears the FCC

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update. We have three stories for you. DJI gets a big win. We have a new drone tariff. And then lastly, we have a Chinese drone maker that is somehow getting FCC clearance. So, let's get to it.

Greg ReverdiauAug 21

Close-up of a DJI Mini 5 Pro in flight, its gimbal camera and forward sensors facing the viewer against blurred green trees.

OPERATORS

DJI Ban Hits Home: Drone Pilots Ask Whether Their Businesses Survive

A new Part 107 pilot asked Facebook if the DJI ban killed his drone business before launch. 268 comments show what operators face ahead of September 3.

Haye KestelooAug 20

Auterion drone swarm software coordinating multiple uncrewed aircraft as a single AI-guided strike formation

Counter-Drone

Northcom Cannot Stop A Homeland Drone Swarm. Its Deputy Commander Said So.

Asked if he could defeat a drone swarm launched inside U.S. borders, Northcom's deputy commander said no. Nine days earlier, five autonomous drones hit a tank in Maryland.

Haye KestelooAug 19

DJI Flip drone with full-coverage propeller guards unfolded on a desk before takeoff

Deal

DJI Flip Hits $349 on Amazon Two Weeks Before Trump's 25% Drone Tariff

The DJI Flip is back at $349 on Amazon, with the RC 2 bundle at $509, two weeks before Trump's 25% drone tariff takes effect on September 3.

Haye KestelooAug 19

Amazon

Amazon Prime Air Promises 500 Cities This Year, One 15-Mile Circle At A Time

Amazon plans Prime Air drone delivery in nearly 500 US cities and towns by the end of 2026, adding Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland, Syracuse, and Boise.

Haye KestelooAug 19

Dark DJI teaser image showing a wireless video transmitter with red RX and blue TX buttons and an HDMI port, above the date 2026.09.01 20:00 GMT+8.

DJI RUMORS

DJI Sets September 1 For SDR Transmission 2. US Buyers Are Blocked.

DJI has set September 1 for what leaked packaging calls the SDR Transmission 2 Combo. The FCC Covered List already bars its US sale.

Haye KestelooAug 18

AUVSI President and CEO Michael Robbins speaking on stage at XPONENTIAL Detroit in May 2026.

LOBBYING

AUVSI's Robbins Exits For SIA As The Drone Ban He Backed Rolls On

Michael Robbins leaves AUVSI September 30 to run the Semiconductor Industry Association, the industry he spent three years telling drone makers to copy.

Haye KestelooAug 18

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