NDAA

The defense bill that decides which drones American agencies may fly — Section 1709, the Covered List, and the compliance fight.

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Aug 10

Last updated

ACSL

ACSL Debuts TAITEN Smart Controller, Elevates SAMO Thermal Payload, and Partners with Teledyne FLIR

ACSL, Japan’s top drone manufacturer, has announced the release of the TAITEN Smart Controller—an NDAA-compliant remote with a 7-inch integrated display—alongside major enhancements to its SAMO thermal payload and a new collaboration with Teledyne FLIR’s Thermal by FLIR® Program. The advances put ACSL’s secure, versatile drones in sharper focus for U.S. public safety teams, infrastructure…

Haye KestelooAug 27

United States

NDAA-compliant FPV win: $1.6M Aura camera, HDO+ goggle order accelerates U.S. defense sourcing

Unusual Machines has secured a $1.6 million order for Fat Shark Aura FPV cameras and HDO+ goggles from a domestic defense drone manufacturer, with deliveries flowing through the U.S. defense supply chain to support NDAA-compliant programs, according to a press release. NDAA-compliant FPV stack positioned for defense use Unusual Machines says the Fat Shark Aura…

Haye KestelooAug 21

The Rise of U.S. Drones Amid Anti-China Sentiment

Skydio

DJI Calls for Evidence-Based Review as NDAA Deadline Threatens US Drone Access

Congress passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 last December, setting a December 23, 2025, deadline for a national security agency to assess risks posed by Chinese-manufactured drones. With less than six months remaining, DJI has intensified its push for a transparent and thorough evaluation, arguing that a rushed or incomplete process…

Haye KestelooJul 17

Drone Companies

SiFly Q12 Drone Challenges DJI with Record-Breaking Range and Endurance

On May 1, 2025, SiFly, a Santa Clara-based startup, unveiled its Q12 drone, a game-changer poised to rival DJI’s dominance in the commercial drone market. With a 90-mile range and three-hour flight time, the Q12 promises to redefine long-range missions for drone professionals and public safety teams, offering a U.S.-made, NDAA-compliant alternative amid growing concerns…

Haye KestelooMay 1

DJI

DJI Challenges US Security Agencies in NDAA Deadline Push

Chinese drone maker DJI has formally requested five US national security agencies to evaluate its products ahead of a critical December 31, 2025 deadline established by National Defense Authorization Act provisions. In a letter sent to the Department of Homeland Security, Department of Defense, FBI, NSA, and Office of the Director of National Intelligence in…

Haye KestelooApr 3

Skydio

New Helius Drone, Blue UAS Changes, Skydio Sends Tracker to Police, & SkyeBrowse Update

New drone release from Ascent AeroSystems, changes to the Blue UAS framework, a major SkyBrowse update, and lastly, Skydio sending tracking

Greg ReverdiauMar 14

Parrot

Major Shakeup in Blue sUAS List: Eight Vendors Removed, Three New Added

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…

Haye KestelooMar 6

Department of Homeland Security

DJI Drone Ban in North Dakota: What You Need to Know

The DJI ban at the federal level was delayed by not including the Countering CCP Drones Act in the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act...

Russ 51 DronesJan 21

NDAA

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