
Drone Collision Grounds Critical Firefighting Aircraft in Los Angeles Wildfire Response
A Super Scooper firefighting aircraft sustained damage after colliding with a civilian drone while combating the Palisades Fire northwest of LA.
Washington and the drone industry: legislation, procurement, security reviews, and agency policy beyond the FAA.

A Super Scooper firefighting aircraft sustained damage after colliding with a civilian drone while combating the Palisades Fire northwest of LA.

We have four stories for you this week: Autel and others added to the DoD CMC list, DJI releases the Matrice 4, Walmart ends their contract with DroneUp, and the DoD expands LAANC. Let’s get to it! Autel Added to DoD Chinese Military Complex List Autel has been added to the DoD Chinese Military Complex…

A firefighting Super Scooper aircraft suffered wing damage after colliding with an unauthorized drone during critical operations over the Palisades fire in Los Angeles on Thursday, marking a serious escalation in drone interference with emergency response efforts. The incident forced the vital firefighting asset to be grounded amid one of the most devastating wildfire events…

The Chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, Rep. Mark Green (R-Texas), is making a renewed push for legislation that would enable state and local authorities to “take down” unidentified drones, though the initiative faces resistance even within Republican ranks. The proposed Counter-UAS Authority Security, Safety, and Reauthorization Act has emerged as a contentious piece…

Nevada Senate Bill 11 (SB11), which took effect January 1, 2025, has introduced significant restrictions on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) use by public agencies and law enforcement in Nevada. New Restrictions on Drone Sources The law requires Nevada’s Department of Public Safety (DPS) to create and maintain lists of prohibited countries, businesses, and entities from…

China’s Commerce Ministry issued a sharp rebuke to U.S. investigations into potential security risks posed by Chinese drone systems, calling the probe “extremely irresponsible” and demanding an immediate halt to what it termed “erroneous practices.” The statement comes in response to the U.S. Commerce Department’s announcement last week that it is considering new restrictions or…

The U.S. Department of Defense has designated Autel Robotics Co., Ltd. as a “Chinese military company,” marking a significant expansion of scrutiny over Chinese drone manufacturers. The designation, published in the Federal Register on January 7, adds Autel to a growing list of companies identified under Section 1260H of the National Defense Authorization Act. The…

The Pentagon has announced an $8.8m contract with Israeli company XTEND that will see the acquisition of kamikaze drones for combat teams.
One email with the drone news that matters — DJI, FAA, public safety, and everything in between, straight from the newsroom. No spam, no fluff.