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Anduril Industries successfully flew its YFQ-44A jet-powered combat drone for the first time on October 31, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the U.S. Air Force’s effort to field autonomous “loyal wingman” aircraft that can operate alongside fighter jets. The Los Angeles-based defense tech company and the Air Force confirmed the semi-autonomous flight demonstrates rapid…
DroneDeploy rolled out three operational AI agents and revealed plans for autonomous ground robots at its Horizons 2025 user conference in Newport Beach, signaling the reality capture company’s transformation from drone-focused mapping platform to comprehensive construction AI and robotics provider. The announcements position DroneDeploy to compete directly with established construction tech playe
The Pentagon’s Department of Government Efficiency unit is leading a previously undisclosed effort to overhaul the U.S. military drone program, aiming to acquire at least 30,000 cheap drones in the coming months—a dramatic intervention that positions Red Cat, Skydio, and other American manufacturers for significant contract wins after years of bureaucratic delays, according to a…
A German defense drone startup valued at $500 million suffered a catastrophic public failure during October 2025 military trials when its AI-powered strike drones missed all targets across four separate attempts, raising serious questions about whether venture capital can replicate battlefield-proven innovation. Stark Defence’s Virtus loitering munitions—marketed as autonomous strike drones capabl
Can you imagine high-tech drones buzzing over prison walls, not just smuggling tiny parcels, but lifting actual inmates to freedom? Sounds like
Welcome to your weekly UAS news update, Halloween edition, where scary politicians create scary laws. I have three stories for you this week: The FCC votes on new powers, DJI drone and payload leaks, and a California homeowner facing a massive $300,000 fine based on—well, you’ll see—drone stuff. FCC Votes to Grant Itself Retroactive Ban…
Today is another day of pushing the DJI Mini 5 to its physical, mental, and emotional limits. I travel all over Ecuador to get the best landscapes
Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division are building disposable combat drones for less than $800 each, dramatically undercutting commercial alternatives that cost up to $11,000 while delivering the same battlefield capabilities. The Attritable Battlefield Enabler, or ABE 1.01, costs just $740 at scale and provides small units with reconnaissance, target acquisition, and the ability to…
A one-year U.S.–China trade truce announced after President Trump met President Xi in Busan includes a pause of the Commerce/BIS “50% affiliates” rule, tariff trims, and commitments on soybeans, fentanyl precursors, and rare earths. It does not stop the NDAA clock that could put DJI on the FCC Covered List on December 23, 2025 if…
Chinese drone specialist Huaiba from “怀爸疯科技” (Huaiba Crazy Tech) has published an extensive hands-on review of the DJI NEO 2, providing the first detailed look at how the upgraded palm-launched drone performs in real-world conditions. His YouTube video demonstrates the NEO 2’s new dual-axis gimbal, omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system, and dramatically improved tracking capabilities through…
Good day folks. Shawn here from Air Photography. If you’re brand new to the DJI Mini 5 Pro drone and want to unlock the benefits of shooting in D-LOG M without spending months learning color grading, I’ve got great news: all the tools you need are built right into the DJI Fly app. In my…
DJI officially launched the Neo 2 drone in Asia on October 30, 2025, bringing substantial upgrades to its palm-launched platform including a larger 1/2-inch camera sensor, dual-axis gimbal stabilization, and comprehensive obstacle avoidance sensors. The Neo 2 represents DJI’s most capable sub-250-gram drone yet—but American drone pilots face an uncertain path to accessing one. The…
DJI issued its first official statement to DroneXL following the FCC’s unanimous vote earlier this week, warning that the company faces automatic addition to the agency’s Covered List in 55 days—potentially triggering retroactive bans that could affect recently released drones, such as the DJI Mini 5 Pro. The statement from Adam Welsh, Head of Global…
Security researcher, Konrad Iturbe has created an automated system that identifies companies selling DJI-based drones under alternative brand names by detecting the unique wireless “fingerprints” embedded in their FCC filings—a technical paper trail that reveals the true origins of drone hardware regardless of corporate branding. Iturbe’s detection methodology, detailed in his October 25, 2025 res
A basketball stuffed with tobacco and cellphones. Ceramic knives that slip past metal detectors. Drones equipped with deep-sea fishing release mechanisms. These are just some of the seized contraband items displayed by a groundbreaking joint task force in Kingston, Ontario—Canada’s first dedicated anti-drone smuggling operation targeting correctional facilities. After nine months of coordinated op
A $400 million fine. Raids on retailer locations. Allegations of supply threats against independent dealers. While DJI battles U.S. security reviews, Italy just opened an investigation into the company’s alleged price-fixing scheme—and the evidence was seized from distributor offices last week. Italy’s competition authority has opened an investigation into Chinese drone maker DJI and its…
For everyone outside Asia excited to order a DJI Neo 2 tomorrow…. I am sorry, but you won’t be able to. There are a number of reasons why this might be happening, but one of the more prominent explanations is that DJI is changing tactics and is going full “China first” with their marketing. But…
California-based 1X Technologies opened pre-orders this week for NEO, the first consumer-ready humanoid robot designed to handle household tasks—but Wall Street Journal testing revealed a surprising reality. The $20,000 robot that promises to fold your laundry and load your dishwasher can’t actually do any of that autonomously yet. Every task requires a remote human operator…
DJI dropped a cryptic teaser on X this morning, sparking immediate speculation that the drone giant may be entering an entirely new product category. The mysterious announcement, posted to DJI’s official social media channels, reveals little more than a circular, button-like device with a glowing green LED and the intriguing tagline “In Tune With Every…
The Federal Communications Commission voted 3-0 yesterday to grant itself unprecedented authority to retroactively ban equipment from companies on its Covered List, directly targeting DJI’s rapidly expanding network of shell companies ahead of a critical December 23 deadline. The FCC can now block devices containing Covered List components and revoke previously authorized equipment in specific…
Youtuber iPhonedo has uncovered a quietly released DJI accessory that could revolutionize mobile audio recording—if American customers could actually purchase it. The DJI Mic Series Mobile Receiver, a tiny $15 device that enables wireless microphone connections directly to smartphones, has been available in China since mid-October but remains conspicuously absent from U.S. markets as DJI…
DJI Enterprise has released a teaser pointing to a November 4, 2025 launch event at 7 AM EST, with leaked photos suggesting the reveal could be a new LiDAR mapping payload—possibly the rumored Zenmuse L3. The cryptic tagline “See Through, Far and True” accompanied by a distinctive pink/purple display screen visible in both the teaser…
An industry insider has revealed the specific pre-production decisions that pushed the DJI Mini 5 Pro drone over the critical 250-gram regulatory threshold, ending four generations of the company’s success in the sub-250g category. According to the long-time trusted DroneXL source, two last-minute design changes—new propellers and an upgraded speaker—added approximately four grams total, transform
Most drone operators are breaking this law without realizing it. You are actually required to have a ham radio license in order to operate analog FPV systems in the US.
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