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Rogue Drone Detected: SkySafe and Motorola Solutions Team Up
SkySafe and Motorola Solutions unveiled a new integration at the Motorola Solutions Summit 2026, aimed at helping public safety agencies manage rogue drone threats. The partnership connects SkySafe's drone detection platform with Motorola's public safety communications infrastructure. The move addresses a critical gap: most agencies can detect unauthorized drones but lack the authority to stop them.
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DJI Lito X1 and Lito 1 Launch Globally — But Skip the U.S.
DJI has launched two new entry-level drones — the Lito X1 and Lito 1 — for beginner pilots in global markets. However, a court filing citing FCC restrictions confirms the drones will not be available in the United States, continuing a pattern of regulatory barriers limiting DJI's U.S. market access.
AirData Now Auto-Logs Flight Data for BRINC Public Safety Drones
AirData has announced a new integration that automatically captures and organizes flight data from BRINC's Lemur 2 and Responder drones. The partnership aims to help public safety agencies maintain complete mission records without adding post-flight administrative burden on pilots. As DFR programs scale nationwide, automated logging is becoming essential infrastructure.
Ukrainian SkyMap C-UAS System Deployed by US Forces in Saudi Arabia
The U.S. military is reportedly deploying Ukraine's SkyMap counter-drone system at Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia, according to multiple press reports. The move highlights the growing global demand for combat-tested C-UAS technology amid escalating drone threats in the Middle East. It also signals expanding international adoption of Ukrainian defense innovations.
US Defense Budget Proposes $20B for Counter-Drone Systems
The U.S. defense budget proposal includes a $20 billion request for counter-UAS systems, reflecting the Pentagon's growing focus on drone threats. Lt. Gen. Steven P. Whitney of the Joint Staff highlighted autonomous operations as a central pillar of modern military strategy. The investment signals major opportunities for C-UAS technology developers and defense contractors.
AeroVironment Tests Shipborne Laser C-UAS System on USS Bush
AeroVironment has successfully demonstrated its palletized LOCUST® Laser Weapon System aboard the USS George H.W. Bush in October 2025. The shipborne counter-drone laser system represents a significant step forward in naval C-UAS defense capabilities, offering cost-effective, high-speed engagement against unmanned aerial threats at sea.
FCC Crackdown Could Block 25 DJI Products, Cost $1.5B in 2026
DJI says an FCC crackdown could block up to 25 new drone and camera products from launching in the United States in 2026, putting more than $1.5 billion in revenue at risk. The move marks the latest escalation in ongoing regulatory tensions between the drone giant and US authorities.
FAA Launches Fast-Track Settlement Program for Drone Violations
The FAA is launching a new expedited settlement program to resolve drone violations faster, with major events like the FIFA World Cup driving urgency around airspace enforcement this summer. The initiative is designed to deter unauthorized UAV flights near restricted areas by making consequences swifter and more visible. Drone pilots should review TFR rules and Remote ID requirements before flying.
AirData + BRINC Integration Automates Flight Logs for Public Safety
AirData has announced a new integration with BRINC that automatically captures flight data from the Lemur 2 and Responder drones into its fleet management platform. The partnership eliminates manual flight logging for public safety agencies, supporting scalable and auditable drone operations. The integration is designed to help law enforcement and emergency response teams maintain consistent, defensible flight records.
Sentrycs Wins Counter-Drone Contracts for 2026 World Cup Cities
Sentrycs has secured counter-drone contracts to protect airspace across 2026 FIFA World Cup host cities in the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. The deals highlight growing demand for C-UAS solutions at major international sporting events as drone threats to public gatherings continue to rise.
UK Sets Regulatory Roadmap for BVLOS Drones and eVTOL
UK Transport Minister Heidi Alexander has outlined a new regulatory workplan aimed at enabling routine BVLOS drone operations and integrating eVTOL aircraft into UK airspace. The plan signals a major push to modernize British aviation infrastructure for the commercial drone era.
Lockheed Martin Invests $25M in Counter-Drone Firm Fortem Technologies
Lockheed Martin has announced a $25 million investment in counter-drone company Fortem Technologies, representing the first tranche of the firm's Series B funding round. The move highlights the defense giant's commitment to C-UAS technology as drone threats continue to grow globally.
Laser Power Beaming Keeps Military Drone Aloft Without Landing
Kraus Hamdani Aerospace and PowerLight Technologies demonstrated laser-based wireless power beaming to the K1000ULE drone at Shaw Air Force Base, keeping the long-endurance UAS airborne during ISR operations without ground recovery. The test was hosted by the AFCENT Battle Lab with involvement from CENTCOM and the Operational Energy Innovation office.
Russia's RB-504A-E Counter-Drone System Debuts at DSA Malaysia
Russia's RB-504A-E electronic countermeasures counter-drone system, developed by the Special Technology Center, was showcased at Defense Services Asia (DSA) in Malaysia. The system uses ECM technology to neutralize UAVs by disrupting their control and navigation signals. Its appearance at a major international defense expo signals Russia's push into the growing global counter-UAS market.
Sion Power's New Lithium-Metal Cells Push Military Drone Endurance
Sion Power has announced two new lithium-metal battery cells, the Licerion Strike and Licerion Echo, both exceeding 500 Wh/kg in energy density. The cells are purpose-built for military drones and reportedly enable two to three times longer flight endurance compared to conventional lithium-ion batteries.
NASA and UNOS Team Up to Study Drone Organ Transport
NASA and UNOS have signed a research agreement to study how drone flights affect organ viability and how UAVs could improve transplant logistics across the U.S. The partnership was formalized at UNOS headquarters in Richmond, Virginia. Results could have major implications for medical drone delivery and aviation regulation.
Florida Greenlights State Funding for Public Vertiport Network
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed House Bill 1093 into law, authorizing the Florida Department of Transportation to fund a statewide network of public vertiports. The legislation marks a major step forward for urban air mobility infrastructure in one of the country's most aviation-active states.
China Drone Flights Surge 70% in 2025, Registrations Top 3.2M
China's Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) reports drone flights surged nearly 70% in 2025 compared to 2024. Registered drones across the industry reached 3.287 million units by year's end, a 51% year-over-year increase, reflecting rapid growth across commercial, agricultural, and consumer UAV sectors.
SiFly Aviation Partners with ADS-B Exchange for Drone Tracking
SiFly Aviation has announced a new partnership with ADS-B Exchange, making its drones visible on one of aviation's most widely used real-time flight tracking platforms. The move represents a meaningful step toward airspace transparency and could help advance BVLOS drone operations in the U.S.
ESA and Partners Test Satellite BVLOS Comms for Long-Range Drones
Viasat, Thales, Dimetor, TTP plc, and the European Space Agency have completed BVLOS satellite communications flight trials at Cranfield University in the UK. The tests aim to validate satcom-based command-and-control links for long-range drone operations. Results from trials like this are expected to support future regulatory approvals for routine BVLOS UAV flights.
FedEx and IIT Madras Complete Drone Delivery Trials in India
FedEx and IIT Madras have successfully completed India's first intra-city drone delivery flight trials in Bengaluru, marking a major milestone for UAV logistics in one of the world's largest and fastest-growing markets.
Australia Doubles Down on Counter-Drone Defense Spending
Australia has announced two new defense contracts as part of a plan to more than double its counter-drone (C-UAS) investment for the Australian Defence Force. The move reflects a growing global commitment to neutralizing UAV threats across military and critical infrastructure domains.
Norway Launches Electric Regional Aircraft Trial with Bristow & Electra
Bristow Group, Electra, Avinor, and the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority have signed contracts for a second international trial of regional electric aircraft services in Norway. The partnership brings together aviation operators, electric aircraft developers, and regulators to advance sustainable regional air connectivity. The trial could have broader implications for electric propulsion and UAV regulatory frameworks across Europe.
Leonardo DRS Brings C-UAS Capabilities to Autonomous Naval Vessels
Leonardo DRS has integrated its Maritime Mission Equipment Package (M-MEP) onto an autonomous unmanned surface vessel, delivering a new counter-drone capability for the maritime domain. The development comes as drone threats to naval assets and coastal infrastructure continue to escalate globally. The system could enable persistent, crewless C-UAS coverage across a range of maritime defense scenarios.