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Raytheon wins $729 million to arm three countries against drones
The global race to stop hostile drones is turning into big business for defense contractors. Raytheon, an RTX company, has secured $729 million in contracts to supply components of its counter-drone system to the US Army, Qatar, and Jordan, marking the first international sales o
Powerus unveils Guardian-3 fully autonomous drone interceptor
Powerus is taking another step toward autonomous counter-drone defense with the introduction of its Guardian-3 interceptor, a new system designed to operate fully autonomously. more…
Proposed “Ban Flock Act” Targets License Plate Readers, Including Drone-Based Systems
Proposed federal legislation would limit government use of automatic license plate readers and place new conditions on federal funding for state and local agencies. Legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives would restrict government use of automatic license plat
SPH Engineering Announces Winners of the 2026 Global Drone Operations Awards
The inaugural awards recognized drone-borne GPR at a Chilean mine, gamma-ray peat mapping in Ireland and contact-free orca health research, plus a special recognition for remote drone education. SPH Engineering announced the winners of its inaugural Global Drone Operations Awards
Badland Batteries Opens Drone Battery Cell Manufacturing Facility in Fargo
The 80,000-square-foot North Dakota plant will produce lithium-ion pouch cells for drones, defense platforms and autonomous systems using domestic and allied raw materials. Badland Batteries opened its battery cell manufacturing plant in Fargo, North Dakota on October 8, 2026. Th
Elsight Launches Cellular-Based Positioning for GPS-Denied Uncrewed Systems
The new capability uses patented cellular network measurements and multi-source fusion to geolocate drones and vehicles when GPS is jammed, spoofed or unavailable, and it flags spoofing in real time. Israeli drone developer Elsight announced its new Positioning capability on Octo
Elsight’s new positioning tech aims to keep drones navigating without GPS
GPS has become such a routine part of flying a drone that it’s easy to forget how vulnerable it can be. Jam a satellite signal, feed a receiver fake coordinates, and an autonomous aircraft or ground vehicle could suddenly struggle to figure out where it is. Elsight wants to chang
Finding a Niche in American Drone Manufacturing: The Harris Aerial Story
Small drone manufacturer finds its market niche By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill In business, sometimes getting in on the ground floor of an emerging trend is the key to success – even for a company whose business is manufacturing flying vehicles. For Ben Harris, founder a
Beyond Decibels: UK Drone Noise Report Could Offer a Model for Future Regulation
UK Civil Aviation Authority recommends a phased approach to managing drone and eVTOL noise as commercial operations expand. The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has published a report examining how noise from drones and electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft sho
FAA Clarifies Drone Authorization Requirements for Airport Emergency Exercises
New guidance explains how airport operators should request airspace access when using drones in emergency response training. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued updated guidance on October 9, 2026, clarifying authorization requirements for drone operations during air
From Standalone Counter-Drone Systems to Integrated Air Defense
Expanded agreement brings net-capture and kinetic counter-drone capabilities to European and allied defense customers. Fortem Technologies and European defense company MBDA announced an expanded strategic partnership on October 12 to integrate autonomous drone interceptors into e
DJI Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 is heading for retirement
Before compact camera drones took over, the DJI Phantom was the aircraft that helped put serious aerial photography within reach of more people. And the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 was one of the lineup’s standout models, pairing a 1-inch sensor with a mechanical shutter and 4K/60fps vide
Police drones near airports can now get faster FAA clearance
When police need to launch a drone during an emergency, every minute counts. But when that mission involves controlled airspace near an airport, getting the necessary FAA authorization can add another step before the drone takes off. Versaterm wants to make that process simpler.
FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot Test Changes October 26: What Applicants Need to Know
New image-based questions will require applicants to interpret aviation charts, while existing Part 107 regulations remain unchanged. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is updating its Part 107 remote pilot knowledge test beginning October 26, 2026. The changes will introd
DroneClear Launches ChatGPT App to Help Travelers Navigate Thailand’s Drone Rules
AI-powered service provides information on drone registration, insurance, and flight restrictions. DroneClear Thailand has introduced a ChatGPT app designed to help recreational drone operators understand the country’s registration requirements and flight restrictions. Users can
This robotic arm could change how drones launch in combat
A drone can have all the range and capability in the world, but eventually it needs to land, recharge and get back in the air. Three US companies are now trying to remove much of that downtime with a single mobile system designed to keep drones operating around the clock. more…
FAA puts $12 million behind 19 drone research projects
The FAA is putting more money into the technologies it believes could help drones safely become a bigger part of the US airspace. The agency has announced $12 million in awards for 19 companies and organizations working on drone research and testing projects. The funding comes th
Bali launches drone delivery trials over populated areas
Bali is taking a small but notable step toward drone-powered delivery, with a new pilot project testing whether food orders can be transported by autonomous aircraft between two locations on the popular Indonesian island. more…
Airwise and LiveU want to fix fragmented public safety drone workflows
Public safety agencies increasingly rely on drones for everything from fire response to search-and-rescue missions. But getting a drone into the air is only part of the challenge. Agencies also need to manage pilots and fleets, stay on top of airspace requirements, and make sure
Your mapping drone can do more. DJI is now teaching you how
Flying a mapping drone is relatively easy. Getting consistently accurate, usable survey data out of it is a different story. That gap is what DJI is trying to address with its new Advanced GEO Products Training Services programme, which has now reached Europe’s Benelux region. mo
Weather & Drones: Wind, Rain, Fog — Real-World Limits
Understand real-world weather limits for drone flying. Covers wind vs gusts, rain and IP ratings, fog/icing risks, and temperature effects on battery performance.
ND Filters 101: A Practical Guide for Drone Pilots
Learn how neutral density filters work, why they matter for cinematic footage, and how to choose the right ND filter for your drone. Includes a practical ND strength chart.
EU Drone Laws 2025: Open Category A1/A2/A3 Explained
A practical overview of EU drone regulations in 2025. Learn about Open Category subcategories, registration requirements, and how to fly legally across Europe.
The Ultimate Drone Pre-Flight Checklist (Printable)
A comprehensive pre-flight checklist for drone pilots. Covers environment checks, GPS/IMU calibration, RTH settings, and battery verification. Printable format included.
DJI vs Autel: Which Brand is Right for You?
An in-depth comparison of the two leading drone manufacturers. We break down the key differences to help you choose the perfect drone for your needs.
RTH Fail-safes Explained (and how to test safely)
Master Return-to-Home (RTH) fail-safes for drones. Learn types of RTH, how to configure altitude, test safely, and avoid common mistakes that cause flyaways.
Best Drones Under €500
Quality camera drones that won't break the bank. Perfect for beginners and content creators looking for professional features at an affordable price.
Battery Health & Charging Best Practices for Drones
Extend your drone battery lifespan with proper charging, storage, and maintenance. Learn LiPo care, storage voltage, cycle management, and safety tips.
Shutter Angle & Motion Blur for Aerial Video
Master the 180° shutter rule for cinematic drone footage. Learn how shutter angle affects motion blur, when to use ND filters, and how to avoid the 'video look'.