dronelife

Partnership with Virginia Tech Enables Safer, More Dynamic Aerial Newsgathering Sinclair, a major U.S. media company, has reached a new milestone in drone journalism. On April 2, 2025, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) accepted Sinclair’s Declaration of Compliance for Operations Over People. With this approval, Sinclair becomes the first broadcast media company authorized to fly […] The post Sinclair Becomes First U.S. Broadcaster Approved to Fly Drones Over People Without FAA Waiver appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Lori DeMatteis, Chief Revenue Officer of MatrixSpace, speaks with host Randy Goers about the company’s radar technology, and how organizations are integrating these tools into their airspace operations. Listen here: Drone Radio Show · Can a small portable radar system scale drone operations? Lori DeMatteis is Chief Revenue Officer of MatrixSpace. MatrixSpace is a leading […] The post MatrixSpace on the Drone Radio Show! Can a small portable radar system scale drone operations? appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

The Palm Springs Police Department (PSPD) has taken a significant step forward in public safety innovation by expanding its Drone as First Responder (DFR) program. This enhancement establishes the largest radar-enabled municipal drone coverage area in the United States, spanning 37 square miles and eliminating the need for human visual observers during operations. Radar-Powered Expansion […] The post Palm Springs Police Department Expands Drone Program with Radar Technology appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Texas company proposes use of drones armed with non lethal weapons to thwart school shootings By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill An Austin-based company is hoping to be able to deploy drones equipped with non-lethal weapons, such as pepper spray and flash-bang grenades, in Texas schools as a way to combat the wave of school […] The post Pepper Spray Drones in Schools: Can Technology Stop Tragedy? appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

JUIDA and Seven Companies Join Ground Self-Defense Force in Nankai Rescue Drill to Prepare for Earthquakes and Natural Disasters by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb This article written in collaboration with JUIDA, the Japanese UAS Industrial Development Association. The Japan UAS Industrial Development Association, JUIDA, recently announced its collaboration with the Japan Ground Self-Defense […] The post Japan’s Military Teams Up with Drone Industry for Disaster Response Training appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Certification Helps Enable Safe and Legal Drone Flights Over People AVSS Completes Third-Party Testing for PRS-M30 AVSS – Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions – has completed third-party testing for its PRS-M30 parachute system designed for the DJI M30 Series. The testing meets the new ASTM F3322-24a standard, published in December 2024. This certification plays a key […] The post AVSS Achieves ASTM F3322-24a Compliance for DJI M30 Series Parachute System appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New Certificate of Waiver (COW) Process Streamlines Approvals for Public Safety Agencies A Significant Shift in Regulatory Framework The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has introduced a groundbreaking update to the regulatory process for Drone as First Responder (DFR) operations. Chief (Ret.) Charles Werner of DRONERESPONDERS has described these changes as the most significant since 2016. […] The post Major Breakthrough in Drone as First Responder (DFR) Waivers appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

During his Senate confirmation hearing on March 27, 2025, Dr. Troy Meink, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Air Force, underscored a dominant theme in current military thinking: the integration of drones and unmanned systems as a cornerstone of modernization efforts. Meink’s vision for the future of the Air Force signals a growing […] The post Troy Meink’s Confirmation Hearing Highlights the Role of Drones in Modern Military Strategy appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

SkyDrive to Showcase New Aircraft at Expo; Public Experiences Begin Mid-Apri A New Mobility Hub Opens in Osaka All images courtesy SkyDrive. On March 28, 2025, Osaka Metro officially opened the OSAKAKO Vertiport, a new takeoff and landing site for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOLs). The vertiport, located at Chuo Pier in Osaka’s […] The post What Is a Vertiport? Osaka Metro’s New Hub Prepares the Public for Flying Taxis at Expo 2025 appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Sora-iina and Toyota Tsusho Demonstrate Fully Autonomous Medication Flights to Support Aging Population on the Gotō Islands by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb This article published in collaboration with JUIDA, the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association. Toyota Tsusho Corporation, a member of the Toyota Group, alongside drone logistics subsidiary Sora–iina Co., recently announced that […] The post Toyota Group Tests Level 4 Drone Deliveries to Remote Japanese Islands appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Funding Will Help Deploy Autonomous Weapon Stations to Meet Rising Threat of Unmanned Systems Austin-Based ACS Secures Series A Investment Allen Control Systems (ACS), a defense technology company focused on autonomous weapon systems, has raised $30 million in Series A funding. Craft Ventures led the round, with continued support from Inspired Capital and Rally Ventures. […] The post Can Old Weapons Become Counter-Drone Systems? appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New drone hub in Kurnool aims to create jobs, attract global investment, and build India’s leadership in drone tech Garuda Aerospace Invests in Future of Drones with Andhra Pradesh Drone City Garuda Aerospace has committed INR 100 crore (approximately USD 12 million) to the development of the Andhra Pradesh Drone City in Kurnool. CEO Agnishwar […] The post Garuda Aerospace and Andhra Pradesh Partner to Launch Indian Drone City appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Industry stakeholders highlight need for federal office, incentives, and training programs to support U.S. innovation in robotics and AI American robotics companies are calling for a national robotics strategy to ensure the United States remains competitive in the rapidly advancing global robotics industry, according to a recently published Associated Press article. Executives from major robotics […] The post U.S. Robotics Leaders Call for National Strategy Amid Rising Global Competition appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New company builds on Swoop’s legacy with open platform strategy and plans for continued growth Kite Aerospace Pty Ltd (Kite Aero), a newly launched company in uncrewed aviation, has announced the successful acquisition of key assets from Swoop Aero. The deal includes the Kite drone and Swoop’s well-known drone operations software platform. The acquisition ensures […] The post Kite Aero Acquires Swoop Aero Assets, Aims to Expand Global Drone Logistics appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

The Ukrainian government has recently made significant strides in expanding its drone capabilities, as evidenced by two major announcements from official sources. Bird of Prey Drone System Approved for Combat On March 26, 2025, Ukraine’s Defense Ministry announced the approval of the domestically produced Bird of Prey unmanned aviation system for combat operations. This system, […] The post Ukraine Expands Drone Capabilities with New Approvals and Ambitious Procurement Plans appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

AFWERX program backs new technology for emergency teams and military wildfire efforts Picogrid and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Mission Innovation X (MIx) have been awarded a $1.75 million contract through the U.S. Department of the Air Force’s innovation program, AFWERX. The goal of the project is to develop new ways to help emergency […] The post Picogrid and MIT MIx Awarded $1.75M to Support Wildfire Response appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New Transport Canada authorization expands BVLOS drone missions in low-density areas at night Volatus Aerospace has received a major approval from Transport Canada. The company can now conduct long-distance drone operations at night across Canada. These flights can take place in low-density areas, where fewer than 1,000 people live per square kilometer, and below 400 […] The post Volatus Aerospace Approved for Nighttime Long-Distance Drone Flights Across Canada appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New agreement with KISMEC connects certified drone operators to agriculture industry opportunities On March 25, 2025, Terra Drone Corporation announced that its Malaysian subsidiary, Terra Drone Agri, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Kumpulan Inovasi dan Sumber Manusia untuk Pendidikan (KISMEC). KISMEC is a Malaysian vocational training institution focused on workforce development. This […] The post Terra Drone Agri Partners with Malaysian Training Center to Support Drone Pilot Jobs appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

SPH Engineering removes barriers with powerful new version of its flight planning software—available to all by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb Riga, Latvia-based UAV software and integration services provider SPH Engineering recently announced the launch of UgCS Open, a free version of its flight planning software. Providing many of the same 3D pathing, terrain-aware […] The post UgCS Open Makes Pro Drone Planning Free and Easy appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Join us on Tuesday, April 1, at 3:00 PM EST for the next episode of the Public Safety Drone Review, a free, live event presented by DRONERESPONDERS in collaboration with DRONELIFE. This month’s guest is Steven Katz, Vice President at Flying Lion, Inc., a leader in providing Drone as First Responder (DFR) and UAS support […] The post Upcoming Public Safety Drone Review Highlights Remote Training and Real-World Operations with Flying Lion’s Steven Katz appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Small drones biggest development in combat since nuclear weapons By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill Small, first-person view (FPV) drones are rapidly becoming the most significant weapon of modern warfare, the CEO of a technology-oriented defense contractor said in an interview. Ryan Gury, CEO of Performance Drone Works (PDW), said the widespread and effective use […] The post The New King of Combat: How Small FPV Drones Are Reshaping Modern Warfare appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New patent revealed at Avalon Airshow promises safer, space-saving vertiport infrastructure for Advanced Air Mobility, with research showing up to 250% faster energy dissipation than flat tarmac. by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNab Australian vertiport developer Skyportz recently unveiled the patent for their innovative anti-downwash and outwash drone vertipad design at the Avalon International […] The post Skyportz Unveils Anti-Downwash Vertipad Design to Shrink Urban Vertiport Footprints appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Recent Funding Rounds Highlight Growing Investor Interest in Defense-Oriented Drone Technologies The drone industry is experiencing a significant shift in funding priorities, with military and defense applications attracting substantial investments. Announced today, Israel’s SpearUAV successful funding round, led by Deep Insight venture fund, comes at a time when the global military drone market is projected […] The post Drone Industry Funding Shifts: Military Applications Take Center Stage appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Pilot project in Andhra Pradesh surveys over 1,100 hectares to monitor tree health and estimate fruit production 3F Oil Palm Pvt Ltd has completed a major drone survey in Ayyavaram Village, West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh. This pilot project marks a key step in using drone technology to support palm oil farmers across India. Over […] The post 3F Oil Palm Uses Drones to Improve Palm Plantation Yields in India appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Autel Robotics has announced updates to its Dragonfish series of drones in 2025, refining the platform to better serve industrial and professional users. The Dragonfish series, known for its tilt-rotor design and adaptability, continues to address the evolving needs of industries such as public safety, infrastructure inspection, and environmental monitoring. Streamlined Product Line and Functional […] The post Updates to the Autel Dragonfish Platform: Enhanced Features for Industrial Applications appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article