DJI Retires Phantom 4, DJI Mavic 4 Leaks, SiFly Releases New Drones, ‘Flying Squirrel’ Drone

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update. We have four stories for you this week: DJI officially ends the Phantom line, SiFly releases two new drones, the Q250 and Q12, more leaks emerge about the DJI Mavic 4, and researchers develop a flying squirrel-inspired drone with foldable wings. Let’s dive in.

DJI Phantom Line Retired

This week marks the end of an era for one of the most iconic drone series. DJI has officially announced the retirement of its Phantom 4 Pro and Phantom 4 Advanced drones, concluding the entire Phantom lineup. According to a recent update on DJI’s support page, this series, which defined aerial photography, mapping, and more, leaves a lasting legacy. The Phantom introduced many pilots, including myself, to quality aerial imaging and stable flights, setting the standard for consumer drones for years. While it’s sad to see the Phantom go, DJI has shifted focus to the Mavic, Air, Mini, and Matrice series for both consumer and enterprise markets. The Phantom’s impact on the Industrie des drones remains undeniable, and we hope to see them flying for years to come.

Sci-Fly’s New Drones: Q12 and Q250

Sci-Fly has released two impressive drones: the Q12 and Q250. The Q12, a medium-sized drone, boasts exceptional endurance with 2 hours of continuous hover, 3 hours of forward flight, and a 90-mile range while carrying a 10-pound payload. The Q250, a heavy-lift drone, supports a 200-pound payload with 100 minutes of endurance. Both drones offer some of the best flight times for multi-rotor drones to date and are NDAA-compliant, making them suitable for entities requiring compliant drones. Details on batteries, connection links, and payloads are not yet available, but we’ll share updates as Sci-Fly releases more information.

DJI Mavic 4 Leaks

The rumor mill is buzzing with leaks about the potential DJI Mavic 4. According to Jasper Ellens, the Mavic 4 is becoming “the most leaked drone,” with promotional images, pricing details, and even retail box photos surfacing online. While these leaks should be taken with skepticism, one intriguing detail is the mention of a new controller, the RC Pro 2, possibly featuring a vertical screen. This could enhance display options for certain flights, such as those optimized for social media with vertical camera orientations. However, some anticipated features, like ProRes, electronic ND Filtres, and RC Track, have reportedly been canceled. The frequency of these leaks suggests an imminent release, though delays may have occurred. We hope to see the Mavic 4 on shelves soon.

Flying Squirrel Drone

Researchers at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) in South Korea have developed a drone inspired by flying squirrels. Unlike typical quadcopters, this drone features foldable wings that enhance agility and enable sharp turns and rapid deceleration in midair. These wings act like air brakes, mimicking how flying squirrels use their membranes to glide and maneuver, or reminiscent of the ornithopter in Dune. This bioinspired design, still in the research phase, pushes beyond standard drone configurations and could lead to drones that navigate complex environments more effectively.

Wrap-Up

That’s all for this week. Join us for happy hour in the community, our live Q&A on Monday, and post-flight discussions in the premium community. Have a great week, and don’t be that guy.