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The Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT LL) is joining forces with the Commercial Drone Alliance (CDA) so that beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations in the US can scale up safely.

Given the billions of dollars already invested, it’s not exactly “easy come, easy go.” But the decision by the US army to scrap a major combat helicopter program as – for all intents and purposes – obsolete in a world where drone deployment is expanding exponentially offers another example of how UAVs have captured a central role in military planning and activity in the two years since Ukraine was forced into war.

Aviation defense and security company BAE Systems has transformed a productive partnership into ownership of fellow UK-based company Malloy Aeronautics, whose development and production of drones – especially heavy-lift craft – has earned it plaudits over the last few years.

A popular, albeit decidedly quirky drone video enthusiast known as PhillyDroneLife has received a jolt of very conventional reality with US prosecutors filing a case against him for breaking flight regulations, and reportedly seeking nearly $200,000 in fines.

The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) says it has successfully tested how drones can be used to enhance safety and efficiency in avalanche mitigation efforts by triggering two man-made slides.

LiDAR tech specialist GeoCue has released three new survey-grade TrueView LiDAR systems for commercial drones such as the DJI M300 RTK.

As part of the recent agreement securing the launch of air taxi services by Joby in Dubai, Skyports Infrastructure has been contracted to oversee the construction of vertiports the activity will require – a critical element that has tended to be overlooked in the excitement surrounding nearing next generation aviation.

Militaries in the UK, US, France, and elsewhere have long maintained specialized units within their armies, navies, and air forces to accomplish specific kinds of tasks. In the very middle of its defensive war against Russia, Ukraine is now taking that structuring a step farther by creating an entirely separate branch for drone operations.

Switzerland-based VTOL drone manufacturer Wingtra has released a new LiDAR payload for its GEN II commercial mapping drone. The solution is being hailed as a significant advancement in lightweight drone sensors since it pairs precision with instant data alignment, unmatched ease of use (no calibration required), and exceptional efficiency.

Though Russia has relied heavily on using its Iran-supplied Shaheed-136 drones to attack Ukraine over the last year, the UAVs have to a large extent failed to live up to their frightening reputation, with defense units shooting down far more of the craft than those that reach their targets. Now, hackers have demystified the loitering missiles further by revealing another secret about them: their relatively low cost.

Drone shows took center stage around the world this weekend, with aerial performances dazzling viewers in Singapore, Abu Dhabi, and National Football League (NFL) Super Bowl host town Las Vegas.

Love is in the air, and so are discounts on DJI products. This Valentine’s Day, DJI is making it easier for you and your special someone to capture your adventures together in a creative manner. Here’s a roundup of the drones, action cameras, and handheld cameras on sale that would make great Valentine’s Day gifts for the tech-obsessed.

Though initially launched as a military response to an existential threat, Ukraine’s Army of Drones initiative has also become a major industrial and business operation – the proof being the publication of its annual results not entirely disimilar to those of a Wall Street company.

Want to pilot swarms of 100 drones or more all at once? Well, you can’t – not yet, at least, but an Oregon State University project has brought that possibility closer to near-term reality.

New listings from DJI have just hit the US FCC database. It looks like the second generation of DJI’s nested drone solution is finally ready for the North American market.

AgEagle Aerial Systems says it has secured a major contract for eBee X and eBee TAC drones for use by the US Department of Energy (DOE). The drones will support DOE in national security and emergency response efforts.

Heading to Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas for the annual championship game of the National Football League (NFL) this Sunday? Then you should know that Visit Newport Beach, a destination-marketing agency for the city of Newport Beach in California, has planned a post-game drone light show extravaganza at the Super Bowl venue.

TotalEnergies is bringing its drone-based methane detection technology AUSEA (Airborne Ultralight Spectrometer for Environmental Applications) to India. The French energy giant is partnering with India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to help the latter reduce its methane emissions.

Insta360 has released a new firmware update for its AI-enhanced action camera, Insta360 Ace Pro. Firmware v1.0.35 brings several new features and updates, including Active HDR and Clarity Zoom improvements, Webcam Mode, and support for more compatible devices.

A Pennsylvania man has been charged with illegally flying a DJI Mini 2 drone over Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium during the recent National Football League (NFL) AFC Championship game. The incursion of an unidentified and unapproved drone during the Jan. 28 playoff was deemed a serious enough threat that security temporarily suspended the game.

Counter-UAV detection and mitigation specialist Dedrone offers a pretty compelling argument for why the National Football League (NFL) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) have created a week-long no-flight zone ahead of Sunday’s Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas: Over 4,000 illegal drone flights around stadiums were registered in 2023, an increase of 20% over the previous year before.