dronelife

Former NJUASTS Executive Director Joins WarrenUAS as Consultant and Instructor to Advance Large UAS Integration and Research by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb WarrenUAS, the New Jersey-based drone training program from Warren Community College, recently announced they have added Ed Celiano, the former executive director of the New Jersey Unmanned Aviation Systems Test Site, […] The post WarrenUAS Expands Expertise with Addition of Ed Celiano appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Flying Lion, Inc., a leading drone service provider, has launched FLI Town, the nation’s first dedicated Drone as First Responder (DFR) training center. This facility offers a secure, vendor-agnostic environment designed to support public safety agencies in training, testing, and collaboration on drone operations. Located in a remote area with minimal crewed aircraft interference, FLI […] The post FLI Town: A Dedicated Training and Testing Hub for Drone as First Responder (DFR) Operations appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Ciconia’s Collision Avoidance System: Enhancing Airspace Safety for Crewed and Uncrewed Aircraft The safe integration of drones into national airspace is one of the biggest challenges facing the aviation industry today. Israel-based Ciconia, founded in 2016, is addressing this issue with its Coordination & Collision Avoidance System (C&CAS). Led by co-founder and CEO Moshe Cohen, […] The post Preventing Drone and Helicopter Collisions in Dense, Low-Altitude Operations appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

The response to Hurricane Helene demonstrated both the challenges and opportunities of using uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) in disaster management. As a Category 4 hurricane, Helene caused massive devastation across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, and other southeastern states, leaving more than 230 dead and causing an estimated $200 billion in damages. The storm’s record-breaking rainfall […] The post Lessons from Hurricane Helene: How UAVs Supported Emergency Response in Western North Carolina appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New Boson+ and Hadron 640R+ Cameras Provide Real-Time Temperature Data with Industry-Leading Sensitivity Teledyne FLIR OEM has announced the release of radiometric versions of its high-performance Boson+ thermal and Hadron 640R+ dual thermal-visible camera modules. These new models provide pixel-level temperature measurement, expanding their capabilities for unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), security, […] The post Teledyne FLIR Introduces Radiometric Thermal Camera Modules for Defense and Industrial Applications appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

At the National Public Safety UAS Conference, hosted by DRONERESPONDERS, a panel of FAA officials provided critical updates on new waivers, regulatory processes, and efforts to improve access to airspace for public safety drone operations. The session, moderated by industry expert Michelle Duquette, a veteran of MITRE Corp’s UAS program, featured insights from Tim Arel, […] The post FAA Panel at National Public Safety UAS Conference Highlights New Waivers and Process Improvements appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Key Developments in Public Safety UAS Integration The National Public Safety UAS Conference, hosted by DRONERESPONDERS at Busch Gardens, Virginia, featured a keynote fireside chat between Tim Arel, Chief Operating Officer of the FAA’s Air Traffic Organization, and Chief (Ret.) Charles Werner, Director of DRONERESPONDERS. The discussion underscored the FAA’s evolving approach to integrating drones […] The post FAA Chief Operating Officer ATC Highlights Public Safety Drone Advancements at National Public Safety UAS Conference appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Ariz. bill would shield police from liability for shooting down drones near border By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill A bill pending in the Arizona state legislation is proposing to grant immunity from liability from any damages caused by a drone falling from the sky after being shot down or disabled by state and local […] The post Arizona Bill Seeks to Shield Law Enforcement from Liability for Shooting Down Drones Near Border appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New Pilot Program to Evaluate Commuter Demand and eVTOL Readiness Blade Air Mobility, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLDE) and Skyports Infrastructure have announced a partnership to expand Blade’s existing by-the-seat helicopter transfer service. The pilot program will connect the Downtown Manhattan Heliport with John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), offering a faster travel option for commuters and […] The post Blade Air Mobility and Skyports Partner for Manhattan to JFK Flights appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

In this episode of Weekly Wings, Paul Rossi and Terry Neff dive into the latest developments in drone technology, global policy, and market shifts. They start by analyzing BYD’s groundbreaking EV-drone integration, where the world’s largest EV manufacturer has partnered with DJI to incorporate a docking system for autonomous drones in its vehicles. They debate the practicality of this […] The post BYD’s Drone Integration, Ukraine’s Drone Industry & U.S. BVLOS Push on Weekly Wings! appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Drone mapping technology has advanced significantly in recent years, with Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) and Post-Processed Kinematic (PPK) positioning emerging as game-changing technologies. These methods enhance mapping accuracy and efficiency, reducing reliance on traditional Ground Control Points (GCPs). SimActive, a leading provider of photogrammetry software, offers powerful tools for geospatial professionals, including its flagship product, Correlator3D. […] The post Enhancing Drone Mapping with RTK and PPK: Insights from SimActive’s Eric Andelin appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

DRONELIFE is honored to feature this op-ed from Oivier Defawe, Director at VillageReach, an organization pioneering the integration of drones into public health. DRONELIFE neither makes nor accepts payment for guest posts. All images credit Henry Sampangi Sanyulye, used with permission. Unlocking Africa’s Skies: Bridging the Infrastructure Gap with Drones By Olivier Defawe Africa’s infrastructure […] The post DRONELIFE Exclusive Op-Ed: Unlocking Africa’s Skies – Why Drones Need More Than Innovation to Bridge the Infrastructure Gap appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Latvia strengthens its defense capabilities with high-speed interceptor drone development Latvia has awarded a research and development (R&D) contract to Origin Robotics, a defense technology startup, for the development of a high-speed interceptor drone. The initiative is part of the country’s broader strategy to build a multi-layered counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) and enhance national security […] The post Latvia Awards R&D Contract to Origin Robotics for Counter-Drone Technology appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

The U.S. Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has selected Pierce Aerospace’s B1 Remote ID Beacon for inclusion in the Blue UAS Framework. The selection marks a significant step in the verification process for National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) compliance and cybersecurity, paving the way for the B1’s Authority to Operate (ATO) under the […] The post Pierce Aerospace B1 Remote ID Beacon Selected for DIU’s Blue UAS Framework appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight is widely recognized as a key enabler for the commercial drone industry. With the ability to fly drones over long distances without direct human oversight, BVLOS operations unlock new possibilities for industries such as delivery, infrastructure inspection, and defense. However, one of the biggest challenges to BVLOS adoption […] The post DRONELIFE Exclusive: Elsight CEO on How Halo Connectivity Enables Reliable BVLOS Drone Operations appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Autonomous Drone Solution Enhances Efficiency and Coverage in Rugged Terrain JOUAV, a manufacturer of industrial unmanned aerial systems (UAS), has partnered with the Guangxi Power Supply Bureau to launch China’s first “Fixed + Mobile” UAS autonomous inspection system for power grid operations. This solution sets a new standard in power line inspections by improving efficiency […] The post JOUAV Introduces Fixed + Mobile UAS Inspection System for Power Grids appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

FAA Waiver Expands Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Operations Across 450 Square Miles The Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance (NUAIR) has secured a Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), nearly doubling its operational airspace in Central New York. This expansion increases its coverage to 450 square miles, […] The post NUAIR Expands BVLOS Airspace in Central New York, Doubling Operational Capacity appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Enhancing Drone Safety in Icy Conditions Images provided courtesy of UAF Geophysical Institute, used with permission. Photo credit: JR Ancheta. The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Geophysical Institute has introduced a groundbreaking icing tower designed to improve drone flight safety in icy weather. This innovative facility will play a crucial role in Alaska’s efforts to […] The post UAF Unveils New Icing Tower to Enhance Drone Safety in Arctic Conditions appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New Interface Control Document Enables Defense and Government Partners to Enhance Drone Functionality Skydio, a U.S.-based drone manufacturer has announced the release of its Interface Control Document (ICD) for X10D payload attachments. This new development builds on the design of the Skydio X10D, allowing third parties to create custom payloads that enhance the drone’s functionality […] The post Skydio Expands X10D Capabilities with Open Platform for Custom Attachments appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New Feature Enables On-the-Go Aerial Footage for Drivers According to an article in CarScoops, Chinese automaker BYD has unveiled a new drone system designed in collaboration with DJI. Known as the Ling Yuan system, this optional feature integrates a drone and docking station into the roof of select BYD vehicles, allowing drivers to capture aerial […] The post Car-Maker BYD Introduces Roof-Mounted DJI Drone System for Select Models appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Lawmakers revisit drone security and counter-UAS policies as the commercial drone industry pushes for updated regulations. By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill (This is the sixth and final installment in a series of articles, examining the problems posed to critical infrastructure sites and other significant potential targets of drone incursions by hostile actors. Previous installments […] The post Congress to Take Another Crack at Drone-related Legislation appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Japanese-Made QUKAI MEGA FUSION 3.5 Demonstrates 120 km Logistics Mission for Disaster Relief by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb This article published in collaboration with JUIDA, the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association. Le Ciel Drone Co., a Japanese developer of mid-size fixed-wing logistics drones, alongside Kao Corporation and Qukai Co., Ltd., recently announced successful […] The post Le Ciel Drone Co. Completes Landmark Fixed-Wing Drone Flights Over Ise Bay appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Comprehensive Bill Could Limit Drone Use by Government Agencies Missouri lawmakers are currently considering House Bill 210 (HB 210), the “Unmanned Aerial Systems Security Act of 2025,” which aims to regulate and restrict the use of drones by government agencies within the state, particularly those manufactured in countries of concern like China. The proposed legislation […] The post Missouri Bill Seeks to Limit Government Use of Chinese-Made Drones, Faces Resistance from Law Enforcement appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Maharashtra’s ‘Namo Drone Didi’ Scheme to Advance Agricultural Technology and Women’s Empowerment The Maharashtra government has introduced the ‘Namo Drone Didi’ program as part of its 2024-25 budget, aiming to modernize agriculture and empower rural women through drone technology. This initiative will equip 325 Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs) with agricultural drones, providing them with the […] The post India’s Plan to Provide Agricultural Drones to Rural Women appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New 15L spray drone features enhanced waterproofing, AI-powered autonomy, and expanded coverage for Japanese farms by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb Japanese domestic drone developer Mazex Corporation, headquartered in Higashiosaka City, Osaka Prefecture, recently announced their new Hisuke 15 agricultural drone. With a larger, 15L spray tank, improved waterproofing, increased smart battery compatibility and […] The post New Japanese Agriculture Spray Drone: 1.5 Hectares on 1 Battery appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article