dronelife

Federal Agencies Address Community Concerns and Emphasize Safety The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and Department of Defense (DoD) have issued a joint statement regarding recent drone sightings across the northeast United States. The agencies are working together to investigate reports, address public concerns, and ensure […] The post DHS, FBI, FAA, and DoD Respond to Reported Drone Sightings appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

The story of mysterious drone sightings over New Jersey continues to dominate the headlines. In this guest post from New Jersey-based Dr. Will Austin, a call for realistic assessment of what’s in the sky. DRONELIFE neither accepts nor makes payment for guest posts. No, There Aren’t Mysterious Large Drones Over New Jersey: It’s Time for […] The post Clearing the Air on New Jersey’s Drone Sightings appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Strengthening Energy Solutions and Domestic Manufacturing for Defense Applications The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has announced a new initiative aimed at addressing critical energy storage needs for small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS). The project, known as the Family of Advanced Standard Batteries for Unmanned Systems (FASTBAT-U), seeks innovative battery solutions to enhance the performance of […] The post DIU Issues New Solicitation for Drone Battery Technology appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Federal Funding Advances Drone Technology Integration for Statewide Projects The Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Aeronautics Division has received a $1 million grant from the Federal Highway Administration’s Accelerated Innovation Deployment (AID) Demonstration Program. Funded by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, this grant propels the second phase of MassDOT’s initiative to integrate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), […] The post MassDOT Aeronautics Secures $1 Million Grant for Drone-Based Infrastructure Upgrades appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

UAS Denmark Test Center and Scandinavian Drone Solutions streamline process for smaller drone operations The UAS Denmark Test Center at H.C. Andersen Airport has introduced a streamlined process for testing smaller drones on Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. This new initiative, made possible through a collaboration with Scandinavian Drone Solutions (SDS), drastically reduces […] The post Fast-Track BVLOS Testing Now Available at H.C. Andersen Airport in Denmark appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

AUVSI Adds Four UAS Platforms to Green UAS List The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has announced Green UAS certification for four new platforms: Ascent AeroSystems’ Spirit, AgEagle’s Ebee Tac, and Inspired Flight’s IF1200A and IF800 Tomcat. These certifications expand the options for secure, NDAA-compliant drones suitable for public safety, critical infrastructure, and […] The post Green UAS Certification Expands Secure Drone Options for Public Safety and Critical Missions appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Hover UAV: Jackie Jujmovic talks BVLOS flight and the future of commercial operations on this episode of the Drone Radio Show! Jackie Dujmovic is founder and CEO of Australian based Hover UAV. Hover UAV is a trailblazer in the drone industry, helping clients advance their operations and navigate the complexities of drone regulations. By understanding each […] The post How Hover UAV is Simplifying Remote BVLOS Operations and Shaping the Future of Drones, on the Drone Radio Show! appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Whitaker’s resignation leaves the FAA without a confirmed leader as the agency faces ongoing safety and infrastructure issues. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Mike Whitaker has announced his resignation, effective January 20, 2025, coinciding with President Donald Trump’s inauguration day. Whitaker’s departure leaves the FAA, already grappling with significant challenges, without a confirmed leader at […] The post FAA Administrator Mike Whitaker to Step Down appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Agencies say they “have uncovered no such malicious activity or intent at this stage.” by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb In an update to the ongoing reports of drones flying above New Jersey, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security have released a joint statement attributing most of the reports […] The post FBI and DHS Debunk New Jersey Drone Reports: Misattribution Blamed appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Pilot Program Showcases Innovation in Airspace Safety Amid Rising Drone Concerns El Paso International Airport recently partnered with D-Fend Solutions to enhance airspace safety during the Amigo Airsho. The airshow, held after a 12-year hiatus, attracted over 60,000 spectators and featured aerial performances and aircraft displays. The Airport implemented a counter-drone technology pilot program to […] The post El Paso Airport Tests Counter-Drone Technology During Amigo Airsho appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New Funding Supports Development of Tools for Fast, Compliant Product Development Amid U.S. Manufacturing Challenges Cofactr, a supply chain and logistics platform for hardware manufacturers, has announced the close of its $17.2 million Series A funding round. Bain Capital Ventures led the round, joined by investors Y Combinator, Floating Point Ventures, Broom, and DNX. This […] The post Cofactr Secures $17M to Address Supply Chain Challenges in Hardware Manufacturing appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Welcome to this week’s episode of Weekly Wings, your trusted source for all things drones! Hosts Paul Rossi and Terry Neff bring you a mix of expert insights, industry updates, and engaging banter. As the holiday season ramps up, Paul and Terry discuss plans to transition the podcast to a bi-weekly schedule. This change will […] The post Mystery Sightings, NASA UTM & NDAA ’25 on Weekly Wings! appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

For clarity and depth, we’ve divided our coverage of the recent Congressional hearing titled “Safeguarding the Homeland from Unmanned Aerial Systems,” into two parts. Part 1, found here, focused on federal officials’ testimony regarding unexplained drone incursions in New York and New Jersey and the broader challenges facing counter-drone operations. This is Part 2, delving into […] The post Congressional Hearing, Part 2: Counter Drone Experts Urge Decentralized Innovation, Collaboration appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Certification Confirms NDAA Compliance for Broader Commercial and Government Use Ascent AeroSystems’ Spirit UAV has been added to the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) Green UAS Cleared List. This designation confirms the Spirit meets cybersecurity and supply chain standards required for NDAA compliance. The Green UAS program extends the principles of the Department […] The post Ascent AeroSystems Spirit Receives AUVSI Green UAS Certification appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Warren County Community College’s Will Austin Shares Insights on Public Misconceptions, and the Role of Education Recent reports of nighttime drone sightings in New Jersey have sparked widespread concern, with some citizens raising alarms about large drones and potential security risks. The sightings were the focus of yesterday’s Congressional hearing titled “Safeguarding the Homeland from […] The post Understanding the New Jersey Drone Sightings: Separating Fact from Fiction appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

For clarity and depth, we’ve divided our coverage of the recent Congressional hearing on drone activity into two parts. This article, Part 1, focuses on federal officials’ testimony regarding unexplained drone incursions in New York and New Jersey and the broader challenges facing counter-drone operations. Part 2 will delve into insights from private-sector experts on […] The post Congressional Hearing Reveals Gaps in Counter-Drone Readiness Amid Concerns About N.Y./N.J. Drone Sightings appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zone to Support Inspections, Public Safety, and Economic Growth with Optimus Drone Systems by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNab The Autonomy Institute, a group of more than 300 corporate partners aiming to advance autonomy technology in the United States, and Ondas Holdings Inc., a US-based autonomous drone developer, recently announced Ondas […] The post Advancing Autonomy: Ondas and Autonomy Institute Collaborate on Texas SH130 Drone Corridor appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Limitations May Impact Ukraine, the U.S., and Europe as Drone Technology Evolves in Wartime The Chinese government plans to implement stricter controls on the export of drone parts in early 2025. This shift is already affecting manufacturers and buyers across the globe. According to reports, Chinese companies have reduced or halted sales of batteries, motors, […] The post China’s Export Restrictions on Drone Parts Could Reshape Global Supply Chains appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) gives U.S. agencies one year to assess security risks of Chinese drones, but the clock is ticking—and the outcome remains uncertain. In this guest post from Matt Sloane of SkyfireAI, the real results of the legislation. DRONELIFE neither accepts nor makes payment for guest posts. The […] The post FY25 NDAA: A Temporary Reprieve for Chinese Drones or the Beginning of the End? appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Chinese Drone Manufacturer Expresses Concerns Over Security and Process Provisions in Proposed Law Background on NDAA Section 1709 The FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes Section 1709, which seeks to evaluate potential risks posed by certain Chinese-manufactured drones. This section mandates a national security agency to assess the risks of communications and video […] The post DJI Responds, Calls for Fair Assessment in NDAA Drone Legislation appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

New Agreement Adds Eight Industrial Drone Systems for Business, Government, and Education Use RobotLAB, a robotics integrator known for delivering solutions across various industries, has announced a partnership with Vision Aerial, a U.S.-based drone manufacturer. The agreement expands RobotLAB’s offerings to include eight of Vision Aerial’s unmanned aerial systems (UAS), such as the Drone Surveying […] The post RobotLAB Expands Drone Portfolio Through Vision Aerial Partnership appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

8,000+ Drones Light Up the Sky in a Stunning Collaboration Showcasing Innovation, Japanese Culture, and Global Creativity by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb This article published in collaboration with JUIDA, the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association. Japanese drone show developer and promoter Red Cliff Co. ltd recently announced that, in partnership with Chinese drone […] The post Red Cliff and HIGH GREAT Set Guinness World Record with Largest Drone Show Ever Subtitle: appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Mithril Defense and Texas Legislators Push for UAVs with Pepper Spray to Enhance School Safety Amid Funding Challenges by DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill An Austin-based defense and security company is promoting the use of drones to provide security at public schools, and at least one Texas lawmaker has apparently signed on to the idea. […] The post Texas Lawmaker Proposes Drones for School Security: A “Less-Lethal” Solution appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

The FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference text has been released. The text includes critical language aimed at addressing potential national security risks posed by Chinese-made drones. Section 1709 of the legislation, titled “Analysis of Certain Unmanned Aircraft and Systems Entities,” outlines a structured approach for evaluating the security implications of communications and […] The post FY 2025 NDAA Conference Text: What Happened with the “Countering CCP Drones Act” appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article

Legislation Reflects National Security Concerns and State-Level Compliance Efforts North Dakota’s reliance on Chinese-made drones is under scrutiny, as nearly 90% of drones used by state agencies are manufactured in China. Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, has introduced a bill to allocate $15 million to replace these drones. The bill mirrors similar efforts by other states, […] The post North Dakota Proposes $15 Million to Replace Chinese-Made Drones appeared first on DRONELIFE. View the full article