Drone News
NYPD Drone Flights Surge 3,200% as Watchdog Warns of Unchecked Surveillance
The New York Police Department conducted 6,546 drone flights in the first six months of 2025, representing a 3,200% increase since 2022, according to a new report by civil rights watchdog Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (S.T.O.P.). The explosive growth raises…
Police Drone Injures Child in Kent Crash, Wisconsin Deputies Save Missing Man with Thermal Drone
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…
UAS Nexus Launches Drone Syndicate To Solve Blue UAS Component Supply Chaos
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…
Rheinmetall Bets Big on Code: Major Stake in Auterion Signals Shift to Software-Defined Warfare
German defense giant Rheinmetall has acquired a significant stake in U.S. drone software leader Auterion, signaling a massive industry shift where hardware manufacturers finally admit that future wars will be fought with code, not just explosives. Rheinmetall, the manufacturer behind…
DJI Avata 360 Clears FCC Hurdle With 34 Days Until Potential Ban Deadline
The DJI Avata 360 has secured FCC certification on November 19, 2025, clearing the regulatory hurdle that allows the company to legally sell its groundbreaking 360-degree FPV drone in the United States. But there’s a catch: this approval comes just…
Drone Maker DJI Invests in 3D Printer Giant Elegoo Amid US Ban Fears
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.
Police Drone Spots Manatees and Dolphin in Florida River
A Bradenton Police Department drone pilot recently captured a rare and heartwarming scene along the Manatee River near Bradenton Riverwalk, as My Sun Coast reported. Not one, but two manatees drifted through the calm water. A playful dolphin even joined…
Record Drone Drops Into Hurricane Melissa’s Fury
Hurricane Melissa did not hold back. The Category 5 beast tore across the Caribbean and tied the record for the strongest landfalling Atlantic hurricane when it slammed western Jamaica on Oct. 28. NOAA’s Hurricane Hunters had a front row seat…
National Guard Prepares for Drone Threats at the FIFA World Cup
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…
France’s Elistair Debuts Dual-Payload Tethered Drone That Runs 24 Hours Without Battery Swaps
French tethered drone manufacturer Elistair has unveiled a new configuration of its Khronos system that combines persistent surveillance with tactical communications in a single platform, addressing one of modern warfare’s most persistent logistics headaches. The Khronos Dual Payload debuted at…
Chinese Startup Debuts $45K Drone That Tows Paragliders to 3,400 Feet
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…
French Startup Rift Raises €4.6M For ‘Surveillance-as-a-Service’ Drones That Cost 10x Less Than Helicopters
French deep-tech startup Rift has secured €4.6 million ($4.9 million USD) to build Europe’s first fully autonomous aerial surveillance network, promising 24/7 border monitoring and critical infrastructure protection at a fraction of traditional helicopter costs. The funding round includes €3…
UK’s Chinese EV Ban Mirrors America’s DJI Drone Crackdown. Western Security Theater Goes Global
The playbook American lawmakers perfected against DJI drones is crossing the Atlantic. The UK Ministry of Defence is considering a blanket ban on Chinese-manufactured electric vehicles for military personnel, citing surveillance concerns over built-in cameras and microphones—the exact same argument…
Asheville Police Drone Flies 20×30-Foot American Flag At NFL Stadium, Claims League Record
The Asheville Police Department’s drone unit flew what they claim is the largest American flag ever carried by a drone at an NFL stadium during the Carolina Panthers’ first responders’ day on November 9, 2025, according to local reports. The…
Hubless Drone Concept Looks Stunning But Physics Says Otherwise
A striking new drone design promises crash-proof durability through monocoque construction and hubless rotors. But there’s a problem: the technology works underwater, not in the air. The Mono Mothra concept from Rify Studio and designer Martunis reimagines the quadcopter as…
Portland, Maine City Council Rejects Police Drone Program Despite Search-And-Rescue Benefits
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.…
Florida Schools to Deploy Drones That Can Stop Active Shooters
A New Kind of School Security Three Florida school districts are about to test something that sounds like a sci-fi movie but is very real. According to The Daytona Beach News Journal, Volusia, Leon, and Broward schools were picked for…
Stamford Drones Beat Fire Trucks to Scene in New “Game Changer” 911 Program
DFR Revolution: Stamford’s new automated Paladin DJI M30 drones are launching from rooftops to beat fire trucks to the scene, giving commanders eyes on high-rise fires before crews even leave the garage. In a dramatic validation of drone technology, a…
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