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Welcome to your Weekly UAS News Update. We have three stories for you this week: an update on the NDAA bill, drone leaks and releases, and a drone story for good. Let’s get to it! NDAA Bill Update: Good News for Drone Users The Senate has released its manager’s package of 93 amendments for the…
The Broken Arrow Police Department (BAPD) showcased the power of their drone technology early Wednesday morning, successfully apprehending a reckless driving suspect. The incident, reported on the department’s Facebook page, highlights the growing usefulness of unmanned aerial vehicles in law enforcement operations. Eye in the Sky: Infrared Advantage Officer Daniel Bucklin praised the drone’s capa
Vilnius-based Granta Autonomy has landed a €1 million deal with Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence for their GA-10FPV-AI quadcopter drones. The contract’s part of a bigger €8 million initiative that’ll see thousands of UAVs sent to both Lithuanian and Ukrainian forces, according to a report from Janes. The GA-10FPV-AI: A Versatile Quadcopter The GA-10FPV-AI is…
In a recent presentation at the Skydio Ascend Event, CEO Adam Bry attempted to address mounting criticisms of the company’s dramatic shift from consumer drones to the defense and first responder markets. But what he glossed over was the true nature of Skydio’s aggressive lobbying efforts against industry leader DJI. While Bry acknowledged Skydio’s lobbying…
A recent incident involving a drone flying over former President Donald Trump’s motorcade has highlighted the ongoing security challenges faced by high-profile political figures during campaign events. According to a report from The New York Times, during at least one campaign stop, a drone was spotted hovering above Mr. Trump’s motorcade. The exact location and…
A Michigan resident has admitted guilt in a plot to use a drone for smuggling contraband into a federal prison. This case highlights the growing concern of drones being used for illegal activities at correctional facilities, as reported by WGEL. The Guilty Plea Marvin Graves, 42, from Mt. Morris, Michigan, pleaded guilty to 12 criminal…
Mansfield, Ohio, is set to become a trailblazer in emergency response technology with the introduction of a Drones as First Responders (DFR) program. The city may be the first in Ohio to adopt this cutting-edge approach, as reported by the Mansfield News Journal. A Bird’s Eye View for First Responders The Mansfield Board of Control…
In a significant development, Russia’s state-owned weapons company Almaz-Antey has reportedly established a drone production program in China, aimed at developing and manufacturing long-range attack drones for use in the Ukraine conflict, according to a Reuters investigation. This move could potentially reshape the dynamics of the ongoing war and raise new concerns about international cooperation…
The Republic Police Department in Missouri has unveiled a new $20,000 drone aimed at boosting public safety efforts. This high-tech tool is already proving its worth across multiple city departments, report KY3. Multi-Purpose Drone Enhances Regional Cooperation CPL. Gary Dove, the department’s drone pilot, emphasizes the regional benefits: “If I can help them put the…
A Boston resident has been charged with illegally operating a DJI Mavic drone in restricted airspace during the 2024 Boston Marathon. The incident highlights the ongoing challenges of enforcing drone regulations at major public events. According to the Massachusetts U.S. Attorney’s Office, 30-year-old Allan Nip was arraigned in federal court for flying a drone near…
The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) has introduced new regulations for the 2024-2025 hunting season, including updated rules on drone usage for tracking wounded game. These changes, reported by the MDC, aim to improve hunter efficiency while maintaining safety and ethical practices. Drones Now Allowed for Game Recovery In a significant shift, hunters can now…
Governor Gavin Newsom has vetoed a bill that would have prohibited law enforcement from using armed drones and robots in California. The veto of AB 2681, reported by The Sacramento Bee, allows police to continue deploying remotely operated devices equipped with weapons. Proposed Ban on Weaponized Robots Assemblywoman Akilah Weber introduced AB 2681, which aimed…
Drone delivery company Zipline has teamed up with pharma giant Pfizer to transform vaccine distribution across Africa, tackling some of healthcare’s toughest logistical challenges. Their groundbreaking partnership has already delivered millions of COVID-19 vaccines to remote areas, potentially saving countless lives. Rwanda: The Testing Ground for Medical Drone Delivery Zipline kicked off the worl
In a compelling video produced by the U.PASS Foundation, the critical importance of agricultural drones in modern farming is brought to the forefront. This presentation, accompanied by a detailed transcript below, highlights the numerous benefits of drone technology in agriculture and addresses the potential consequences of banning Chinese-made agricultural drones in the United States. As…
A new study using drone technology has uncovered a potentially serious environmental threat in the Arctic. Researchers have discovered that permafrost along the Yukon River contains alarmingly high levels of mercury, posing risks to local communities and ecosystems as the frozen ground thaws. Drone-Assisted Research Uncovers Hidden Danger Researchers led by Isabel Smith from the…
A new image leaked by drone insiders Jasper Ellens, OsitaLV and Igor Bogdanov on X has set the drone community abuzz, hinting at the possible design of the upcoming DJI Mavic 4 Pro. The photo appears to show a comparison test setup. A Glimpse of the Future? The image showcases what looks like a ‘sophisticated’…
A family farmer in Grovespring, Missouri, has embraced drone technology to transform his cattle management practices, according to a recent report by KY3. Clyde Majerus, who oversees nearly 60 acres of land, has found an innovative way to monitor his herd from above, significantly reducing time and costs associated with traditional methods. Update: the farmer…
Russia is dramatically scaling up its drone production capabilities, aiming to produce nearly 1.4 million unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) this year. This represents a tenfold increase from the previous year, as reported by Reuters. Putin’s Push for Drone Dominance Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday that Russia is significantly boosting its drone manufacturing efforts.…
A new ball-shaped reconnaissance drone made its first appearance during the China-Nepal joint military exercise that kicked off on September 22, 2024. The drill, dubbed Sagarmatha Friendship-2024, is taking place at a training base in Chongqing, Southwest China. According to a report from the Global Times, the exercise focuses on joint anti-terrorism operations in urban…
The US drone industry is in turmoil as professionals criticize Skydio’s marketing and lobbying efforts. The controversy, unfolding on LinkedIn, centers on accusations that Skydio is trying to legislate competitors out of the market rather than compete on product quality. Note: Are you a current or former Skydio employee with insights into the drone maker’s…
GoPro just released the Hero 13 Black and DJI just released the Action 5 Pro. Let’s go test these two out and see which one might be the right one for you. Disclosure Hey, just so we’re clear, DJI did send me the Action 5 Pro to test and review, but they’re not paying me…
Good day, folks! Shawn here from Air Photography. In today’s video, we’re doing a quick battery performance and overheating comparison of the new Hero 13 Black against the DJI Action 5 Pro. I have a full comparison covering different features, video samples, and low-light performance coming up probably next week. This video will focus strictly…
India’s gearing up for a major military upgrade with a multi-billion dollar drone deal with the US. The talks are heating up as PM Modi and President Biden huddle in Washington. This isn’t just any old purchase – we’re talking about 31 MQ-9B Sky Guardian and Sea Guardian drones from General Atomics, with a price…
UNICEF is leveraging drone technology to overcome infrastructure challenges and deliver essential supplies to remote communities, transforming humanitarian aid delivery in hard-to-reach areas. According to UNICEF’s report, the organization has been using Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly known as drones, since 2016 to transport vaccines, medicines, diagnostic samples, and other vital commo
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