Drones
Drones (UAS/UAV): Latest on unmanned aerial tech, regulations, applications, and industry trends. From consumer to commercial and military drones.
Why a DJI Ban WON’T Stop DJI Drones!
So, let’s talk about shell companies today—DJI shell companies. If the US government issues a DJI ban this December, it might sound like the end of an era, right? But here’s the truth: DJI technology is not going away anytime…
News Organizations Challenge FAA Drone Rules That Would End Urban Journalism
News organizations have formally challenged the FAA’s proposed drone regulations before the October 6 comment deadline, warning that the rules would effectively ban aerial journalism in America’s cities and raise serious First Amendment concerns about government restrictions on newsgathering. The…
Olean Police Deploy Drone to Rescue Three Kayakers from Allegheny River
A thermal-equipped drone helped the Olean Police Department swiftly locate and rescue three kayakers in distress on the Allegheny River in upstate New York. The October 4, 2024 rescue highlights how drone technology is becoming an essential life-saving tool for…
Ukrainian Drone Swarm Startup Swarmer Raises $17.9M In Record Defense Tech Funding
Ukrainian drone swarm startup Swarmer has secured $17.9 million in total funding, marking the largest publicly announced investment in a Ukrainian defense technology company since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022. The company closed a $15 million Series A round…
South Africa Investigates How Civilian Laser Sensors Ended Up in Russian Attack Drones
South African authorities are investigating how laser range finders manufactured by Pretoria-based Lightware Optoelectronics ended up in Russian Garpiya-A1 suicide drones attacking Ukraine. The discovery adds a new dimension to the growing problem of Western and civilian components being weaponized…
DJI’s Mavic 4 Pro Promo Shows Drone Footage from Prohibited National Parks and Tribal Lands
DJI just posted a promotional video showcasing its new Mavic 4 Pro capturing stunning landscapes across the American West—including drone footage from multiple locations where recreational and commercial drone flights are strictly prohibited or severely restricted. The video features imagery…
Sweden Invests $367 Million In Anti-Drone Systems As European Airspace Incursions Escalate
Sweden announced Friday it will invest 3.5 billion Swedish kronor ($367 million) in anti-drone defense systems, accelerating deployment by eight years as unidentified drone sightings continue to rattle European aviation and military installations. According to Reuters, the investment comes as…
FCC Vote Could Kill DJI’s Shell Company Strategy Before December Ban Deadline
FCC Chairman Brendan Carr announced this week that the agency will vote October 28 on regulations closing two critical loopholes that currently allow Covered List companies to continue operating in the U.S. market. The timing couldn’t be worse for DJI’s…
DJI Mini 3 Hits Lowest Price in 30 Days: Amazon Slashes 20% Off All Three Models
Amazon has dropped the price on the DJI Mini 3 drone to its lowest point in a month, with all three bundle options now 20% off. The beginner-friendly drone that stays under the critical 249-gram FAA registration threshold is now…
Russia Lured African Women to Assemble Attack Drones with False Job Promises, Investigation Finds
Russia has been accused of deceiving young African women into assembling Shahed-136 kamikaze drones through false promises of hospitality work, according to investigative reports. The women, aged 18 to 22, were recruited to work at the Alabuga Special Economic Zone…
AI-Powered Police Drones Reach 1,500 US Departments As Landmark Privacy Lawsuit Tests Legal Limits
Police and sheriff’s departments across America have rapidly embraced AI-powered drones for everything from pursuits and investigations to emergency response, with approximately 1,500 agencies now operating drone programs by late 2024—a 150% increase since 2018. But as departments deploy increasingly…
DJI Mini 5 Pro vs Mini 4 Pro vs Skyrover X1 Drone: Half Chrome Breaks Down The Key Differences
Drone content creator Jack Towne from Half Chrome has released a detailed comparison between the DJI Mini 5 Pro and Mini 4 Pro and the Skyrover X1, revealing critical differences between the three drones—and confirming what many pilots suspected: all…