Drone industry

It looks like DJI is calling the US government’s bluff. With the threat of a looming ban, the Chinese drone giant is demanding a security audit — before time runs out.

Mach Industries and HevenDrones are teaming up to scale the production of hydrogen-powered drones in the United States. The partnership will use Mach’s manufacturing network, Forge, to build HevenDrones’ H100, H2D55, and Raider models at Mach’s facility in Huntington Beach, California.

Shield AI, a deep-tech company known for pushing the boundaries of AI-driven autonomy, has secured a whopping $240 million in a new funding round, bringing its valuation to $5.3 billion.

South Korea’s BEI has unveiled a new battery that promises to double drone flight times and perform exceptionally in extreme temperatures. The innovation not only propels the drone industry forward but also positions South Korea as a pivotal tech supplier for the United States amid rising concerns over Chinese technology.

Red Cat Holdings, a prominent player in the drone manufacturing industry, is navigating turbulent skies following serious allegations concerning its US Army contract and production capabilities. The company’s stock took a nosedive, dropping over 8% on January 16, 2025, after Kerrisdale Capital, a well-known short-selling firm, released a report casting doubt on Red Cat’s claims.

The US Department of Commerce is calling on Americans to weigh in on new measures aimed at securing the nation’s drone supply chain. The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) has released an advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) to address potential national security risks associated with the information and communications technology and services (ICTS) used in drones. Public comments are open until March 4, 2025.

The long-anticipated final text of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for fiscal year 2025 has been released, setting the stage for a potential ban on Chinese-manufactured drones. Negotiated between House and Senate lawmakers, the legislation incorporates the provisions of the Countering CCP Drones Act — targeting not just drone makers DJI and Autel Robotics, but also their subsidiaries, affiliates, and licensors.

Spexi, a Canada-based drone imagery powerhouse, has closed a $11.5 million Series A funding round led by Blockchange Ventures. With this injection of capital, Spexi plans to rope in more pilots to capture and deliver data-rich, ultra-high-resolution drone imagery to both the public and private sectors.

As rogue drone incidents escalate worldwide, D-Fend Solutions is stepping up to meet the challenge with cutting-edge technology and significant financial backing. The counter-drone specialist has announced a $31 million investment round led by Israel Growth Partners (IGP), alongside existing investor Vertex Ventures and new contributor Vertex Growth.

GoPro has sold a substantial portfolio of drone-related patents to Skydio, the largest US-based drone manufacturer. This patent deal represents a calculated step amid recent financial and operational hurdles for both companies.

As drone technology continues to evolve, so do concerns about data security and privacy among US drone professionals. A recent survey conducted by Teledyne FLIR highlights that a staggering 85% of drone professionals consider data security a crucial factor when selecting a drone platform. This sentiment echoes findings from the previous year, indicating a steady awareness of data protection issues.

Drone technology company Red Cat Holdings has announced the closing of its acquisition of California-based FlightWave Aerospace Systems. The acquisition officially brings FlightWave Edge 130 into Red Cat’s family of low-cost, portable uncrewed reconnaissance and precision lethal strike systems.

The United States National Drone Association (USNDA) has officially announced its formation, with offices in Washington, DC, and its national headquarters situated at Full Sail University in Florida. The USNDA aims to advance drone technology across various sectors by collaborating with students, faculty, and industry leaders through academic and technological partnerships.

Switzerland-based drone technology leader, Wingtra, has secured a solid $25 million backing in its Series B1 funding round, drawing investments from a diverse group of prominent US, Swiss, and Austrian funds and family offices.

DJI, or Da-Jiang Innovations, is the biggest consumer drone maker on the planet. Founded in a college dorm room in 2006, the company today commands nearly 70% of the global drone market, offering its products in over 100 countries. While competitors continue to innovate and deliver alternatives, DJI’s incredible offerings have made it impossible for others to surpass its market leadership. Naturally, observers have long wondered how DJI maintains such unparalleled dominance in the industry. The tech giant is now breaking its silence to reveal just how.

Cyberhawk, a drone inspection and surveying services company, has announced a remarkable 55% revenue growth for the fiscal year 2024. The company’s total revenue soared to $28.7 million, driven by strong performances in key regions such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Middle East.

US lawmakers may be trying hard to block Americans from using Chinese drone tech, but the Chinese government is busy paving the way for its drone companies to further dominate international markets. China’s Ministry of Commerce has announced a relaxation of export curbs on some of its most advanced consumer drones, effective Sept. 1.

Lithuanian startup Granta Autonomy has just come out of stealth mode, announcing a successful $1 million seed funding round to manufacture fully autonomous drones for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.

Baltimore-based custom industrial drone manufacturer Watts Innovations is shutting down after eight years in business.

EU Drone Port, a specialized testing center based in Barcelona, has been officially recognized by the European Commission as a Notified Body for drone certification. This recognition follows accreditation by the National Accreditation Entity and notification by the State Aviation Safety Agency, making it one of five drone certification gateways in Europe.

Arrive Technology, an Indianapolis-based drone delivery mailbox manufacturer formerly known as Dronedek, has announced its second rebrand in little over a year. The company is now called Arrive AI — a name that better reflects the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the autonomous last mile (ALM) industry.