US Government

Washington and the drone industry: legislation, procurement, security reviews, and agency policy beyond the FAA.

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Aug 26

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Zipline

Choctaw Nation lands $2M federal grant to fly medical supplies across Oklahoma’s rural reservation

The Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma (CNO) just received a $2 million SMART (Strengthening Mobility and Revolutionizing Transportation) grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to build out a drone-based medical delivery network across its 10,923-square-mile reservation in southeastern Oklahoma. The announcement came alongside a live demonstration at the Atoka Health Clinic, where airborne drone

Haye KestelooFeb 1

FAA

Super Bowl Drone Ban Expands to San Francisco, Because Of Course It Does

It is the least shocking aviation news of the year that drones are banned over the Super Bowl at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara. A massive sporting event, tens of thousands of fans, the NFL’s legal team hovering like attack hawks. No one expected otherwise. What is surprising is that the Federal Aviation Administration decided…

Rafael SuárezJan 31

Overhead black-and-white view of a DJI Phantom quadcopter surrounded by folding DJI Mavic drones and other multirotors arranged on a white surface

FAA

Tiny Chihuahua Survives Blizzard With Drone Help

In Trixie’s case, the drone search effort helped support ground teams and responders during a critical window, providing aerial coverage

Rafael SuárezJan 31

DJI Rumors

DJI Lito Rumors Hint at a New Lightweight Drone for 2026

DJI usually introduces new drones with glossy trailers, dramatic lighting, and enough slow motion propeller footage to convince you this thing will change your life. DJI Lito did not get that treatment. Instead, it appeared quietly in FCC documents, like a note slipped under the door that simply reads, “Approved,” and then disappears into the…

Rafael SuárezJan 31

US Air Force

Edwards Launches “Game of Drones” to Fast Track Drone Dominance

Experimental Test Force, working with the Defense Contract Management Agency’s US-X unit, hosted the first-ever “Game of Drones”

Rafael SuárezJan 29

Department of Homeland Security

DHS Drone Video Accidentally Advertises DJI

The Department of Homeland Security recently released a short promotional video highlighting its drone operations, complete with soaring music, slow motion aircraft, and bold on screen language about innovation and airspace security, as reported by Futurism. It is exactly the kind of polished clip meant to project confidence, control, and technical dominance. Then someone noticed…

Rafael SuárezJan 28

FAA's ICE NOTAM Gets Teeth: Change 13 Is the Enforcement Escalation Drone Pilots Should Fear - FAA Cracks Down on Drone Violations with $341,413 in Proposed Penalties - FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024: Key Changes for Drones and Advanced Air Mobility

Temporary Flight Restriction

FAA NOTAM 6/4375 Bans Drones Near Federal Convoys, But Nobody Can See Where the Restrictions Are

FAA NOTAM FDC 6/4375 bans drones within 3,000 ft of federal convoys nationwide. The problem: these mobile restrictions won't appear on any flight planning app.

Haye KestelooJan 23

DJI Responds to Court Ruling, Denies Military Ties Despite Pentagon Designation - Trump Administration Targets Chinese Drone Imports in September Crackdown

Department of Homeland Security

House Homeland Security Chair Calls Drones a “New, Growing Frontier” of Threats to U.S. Critical Infrastructure

The same week DHS announced its permanent counter-drone office and FEMA began distributing $500 million in C-UAS grants, the House Homeland Security Committee held an oversight hearing that spelled out exactly why the federal government is treating drones as a top-tier threat. Chairman Andrew R. Garbarino’s opening statement placed drones alongside cyberattacks and AI-enabled operations…

Haye KestelooJan 23

US Government

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