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We have three stories for you this week: the drone industry loses a major player, a Texas bill that would allow drones to be shut down, and lastly, the DJi Mavic 4 leaks. Industry Pioneer and Public Safety Visionary Passes Away A sad first story: industry pioneer and public safety visionary Romeo Durscher has sadly…
The latest update to the DJI Fly app, version 1.16.4, rolled out on March 6, 2025, introduces a significant new feature that enhances flight safety and flexibility for drone pilots. According to details from the official DJI download center, this update allows users to manually update the Home Point when the One-Tap Return-to-Home prompt appears,…
DJI's upcoming Matrice 400A enterprise drone has hit the FCC, suggesting a release is coming sooner than first expected.
The UK has partnered with US-based company Anduril to supply advanced attack drones to Ukraine, bolstering its defense capabilities against Russian aggression in the Black Sea. This $40M (£30M) agreement, announced by the UK Ministry of Defence via a post on X, follows the delivery of over 10,000 drones to the front line, signaling a…
The drone industry buzzes with anticipation as DJI prepares to launch the Matrice 400, a heavy-lift enterprise drone hinted at in recent leaks. Amid this excitement, FCC filings have uncovered a curious component: the “M400 RC sub2G SDR module” with FCC ID SS3-Sub2G2412. This module, detailed in documents dated November 20, 2024, hints at a…
The Law Enforcement Drone Association (LEDA) has issued a strong rebuttal to the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) following an opinion piece by AUVSI President and CEO Michael Robbins, published on DroneLife on February 24, 2025. In a detailed letter, LEDA President Jon Beal criticizes Robbins’ call for immediate restrictions on drones and…
A recently surfaced Russian military drone piloting manual, shared by Samuel Bendett from the Center for Naval Analyses on LinkedIn, offers a unique perspective on learning to fly drones with a blend of technical guidance and humorous analogies. The comic-style guide, translated from Russian to English, emphasizes the importance of preparation, gentle handling, and thorough…
The Drones, Robotics, and AI Summit 2025, held today, at the Rockefeller Center in New York City, brought together over 300 industry leaders to explore the future of autonomous systems. Organized by Oliver Mitchell of ff Venture Capital (ffVC), in collaboration with the New York Robotics Network and Genius NY, the sold-out event highlighted NYC’s…
As the United States withdraws military aid from Ukraine amid political friction, Kherson’s governor, Oleksandr Prokudin, has issued a dire warning about the future of warfare. In an interview with The Independent, Prokudin highlights how Russia’s technological advancements in drones and weaponized robotics have outstripped Europe’s military preparedness, exposing vulnerabilities that could reshap
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 Insider article, aligns with Rep. Adam Smith’s emphasis on five critical areas—missiles, missile defenses, drones,…
North Dakota is poised to solidify its leadership in the drone industry with a newly approved $11 million appropriation aimed at integrating its Vantis unmanned aerial system (UAS) with the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Pathfinder radar program. This development, detailed in a recent article by the North Dakota Monitor, promises to expand commercial drone applications…
As of March 6, 2025, the Blue sUAS Cleared List—a roster of U.S. government-approved drones—has undergone a dramatic update, shrinking from 15 vendors to 10 in just a week. According to a comparison of the list between February 28 and March 6, 2025, eight vendors have been dropped, while three new ones have joined the…
On March 3, 2025, the drone industry lost a giant. Romeo Durscher, a Swiss-born pioneer who helped transform drones into life-saving tools for public safety and humanitarian good, passed away after a months-long battle with cancer. It is hard to believe he’s gone. For years, I’d see Romeo’s warm smile and hear his infectious enthusiasm…
A proposed Missouri law aiming to ban law enforcement from purchasing drones manufactured in China, such as DJI drones, has stirred controversy in the state capital. Senate Bill 296 (SB 296), introduced by Sen. Rick Brattin (R-Harrisonville), seeks to address national security concerns but has drawn sharp opposition from law enforcement and public safety officials…
Flying fpv is the kind of aFlying fpv is the kind of activity that only the brave at heart can stand and will try to repeat after their first flight. Imagine...
A leaked screen recording proves the gimbal design of the Mavic 4 pro will roll past 90 degrees... up to 180 degrees! That is upside down people, both ways.
Taking a Stand in Challenging Times Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, the drone industry has been transformed. What was once primarily a tool for photography, delivery, and recreation has become an essential component of modern defense strategy. As a leading drone news platform, DroneXL has documented this evolution firsthand, witnessing how unmanned aerial systems…
Amazon’s ambitious drone delivery program has hit serious turbulence in College Station, Texas, where unprecedented community resistance has collided with the e-commerce giant’s futuristic vision. This university town of approximately 125,000 residents has become ground zero for a showdown that highlights the complex challenges facing drone delivery technology, from technical hurdles and regulator
Dutch Association of Certified RPAS Operators challenges probability assumptions for drone flyaways in Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) 2.5.
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 aerial systems (UAS) into public safety operations, promising faster 911 response times and enhanced situational…
On February 24, 2025, San Bernardino County Fire (SBCoFD) crews leveraged drone technology to rescue a 15-year-old boy trapped in a rock crevice for over six hours in Rimrock, California. The operation, detailed in an official statement on X by SBCoFD, showcased the critical role unmanned aerial systems (UAS) can play in challenging wilderness extractions,…
A good Chinese friend of mine named YueYue got his hands on what appears to be the final product image of the DJI Mavic 4 Pro. The high resolution image of the upcoming DJI drone with dark grey background, displays the unreleased DJI Mavic 4 Pro in his final form and in his full glory…
A new image of the DJI Matrice 400A has shown up online for the first time, giving us a look at the company's Matrice 600 replacement.
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