Delair Unveils DT61 Long-Range Drone with Multi-Mission Capability

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New fixed-wing VTOL platform expands Delair’s reach in civilian and defense applications Delair Introduces the DT61 for Extended-Range Operations Toulouse-based drone manufacturer Delair has announced the launch of its newest drone, the DT61, expanding its portfolio with a heavy-lift, long-range aircraft designed for both civilian and defense missions. The announcement was made ahead of the […]

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Windracers and Aviation Sans Frontières Launch Humanitarian Drone Partnership

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New Autonomous Cargo Drone Initiative Targets Medical Delivery in Remote African Communities Transforming Humanitarian Logistics with Drone Technology At the 2025 Paris Air Show in Le Bourget, a new partnership between Aviation Sans Frontières and UK-based drone company Windracers was announced. The collaboration aims to modernize medical logistics in some of Africa’s most remote regions […]

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Drone Company AIRO’s Stock Skyrockets After IPO Amid Growing Investor Interest

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AIRO Group’s Stock Soars After IPO: What Investors Need to Know AIRO Group Holdings, a defense and aerospace technology company, made headlines after its initial public offering (IPO) saw the company’s stock more than double in value on its first day of trading. According to a news story in Barron’s, this remarkable debut reflects growing […]

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DJI Calls for Mandated Security Assessment as NDAA Deadline Approaches

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DJI Urges Action on Overdue Security Audit DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, has publicly called for the U.S. government to begin the security assessment mandated by Section 1709 of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). In a recent blog post, DJI emphasized its readiness to participate in a rigorous, transparent, and […]

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430 DJI Drone Ban, Battery Fires, and Beta Alia’s Transatlantic Flight

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In episode 430 of UAV News Talk, Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof return from vacation with urgent news and safety concerns in the drone industry. The episode opens with a major headline: the DJI Mavic 4 Pro is not available in the United States. Although the drone boasts high-end specs—including a 6K camera and improved flight performance—it’s currently unavailable in the U.S. due to concerns about data security and alleged ties between DJI and the Chinese government.

The ban stems from a long-standing effort by U.S. government agencies to restrict the use of DJI drones, especially after reports emerged that some DJI models were transmitting sensitive data back to China. The Pentagon, in particular, flagged DJI as a national security risk. In light of this, many online resellers and websites claiming to sell the Mavic 4 Pro may be scams. Max warns of fake DJI websites offering steep discounts, unauthorized sellers providing units without warranty coverage, and used drones that are “bricked” due to being locked to previous owners’ DJI accounts. Buyers are urged to verify the source before purchasing any DJI drone—especially when new models are not officially available.

Next, the discussion shifts to drone battery fires, a serious issue affecting both hobbyist and commercial UAV operators. Max highlights a recent vehicle fire in Mountain View, California, caused by a drone battery left charging on the passenger seat of a truck. Though the fire was extinguished quickly and injuries were minor, it serves as a critical reminder of the dangers associated with charging LiPo (lithium polymer) batteries in enclosed or flammable environments.

In a separate and more devastating incident, a house in Kenosha County, Wisconsin was completely destroyed by a fire linked to drone batteries charging unattended. Tragically, several pets were lost in the blaze. According to reports, the batteries were connected to a newly purchased six-foot drone, and the homeowner had left them charging for hours while away from home. The episode underscores the importance of charging drone batteries only in safe, monitored locations—preferably on a non-flammable surface such as concrete and never inside unattended vehicles or homes.

From fire hazards to electric flight innovation, Max and David then explore the historic cross-Atlantic flight of Beta Technologies’ Alia electric aircraft. The Beta Alia CX300, a fixed-wing eVTOL aircraft, is currently touring Europe and made headlines for flying across the Irish Sea under VFR rules. Its final destination is Bristow Helicopters in Norway, a company known for operating offshore flights to oil platforms.

The Alia’s 250-nautical-mile range—significantly farther than most other electric VTOL aircraft—positions it as a promising alternative to traditional helicopters. Max notes that replacing helicopters for short regional missions is one of the most realistic and cost-effective early use cases for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The Beta Alia also features fixed wings to improve lift and efficiency during cruise, giving it a hybrid profile that blends characteristics of both airplanes and helicopters.

In defense-related drone news, the episode also covers the U.S. Department of Defense’s recent unveiling of two “loyal wingman” drone programs—the QF-42 and QF-44. These autonomous fighter drones are designed to fly alongside manned aircraft like the upcoming F-47 Next Generation Air Dominance fighter, providing added firepower, surveillance capability, and operational safety. David notes that these aircraft are in the pre-production phase and may be deployed in the coming years as force multipliers in high-risk combat zones.

The rise of autonomous military drones is reshaping battlefield tactics, and even U.S. ground troops are training to evade detection from enemy drones. A recent report reveals that the U.S. Army is now showing new recruits how they appear to enemy UAVs during surveillance missions, emphasizing the importance of movement discipline and cover when drones are overhead.

On the civilian side, Max discusses a new product from uAvionix called SkyAlert—a wearable aircraft detection system designed for drone pilots and visual observers. The compact device receives dual-band ADS-B signals and gives real-time audio and visual alerts when manned aircraft are nearby. This enhances safety during drone operations, especially in mixed-use airspace near airports or urban areas. SkyAlert integrates with several popular electronic flight bag (EFB) apps like ForeFlight, SkyDemon, and OzRunways. Although still on pre-order, its $499 price point may appeal to commercial operators and professional drone pilots seeking an added layer of situational awareness.

While wearable drone safety tech shows promise, Max and David debate whether alarm fatigue or sensory overload could diminish its effectiveness. Drawing parallels to over-complicated aircraft cockpits, they emphasize the need for smart filtering and possibly automated drone responses, such as auto-landing when a threat is detected.

The episode closes with a tease for next week: Max received two drone deliveries to his front lawn—not deliveries of drones he purchased, but actual drones lowering deliveries into place and flying off. This real-world experience with drone delivery services will be the focus of the next episode.

From DJI drone bans and battery fire safety tips to electric aircraft innovation and military UAV trends, episode 430 offers a comprehensive look at the evolving landscape of drone technology. Whether you fly drones recreationally, operate commercially, or are simply fascinated by aerospace innovation, please tell your friends about UAV News Talk, and encourage them to listen.

Drone show leaders unite to develop drone show safety standards

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In a bold move to fortify the rapidly expanding drone show industry, Verge Aero and ASTM International have announced the formation of a new task group to create formal drone show safety standards.

And now, they’re inviting the broader drone industry to join it. The action of building drone show safety standards comes in the wake of some drone show accidents. Most notably for the U.S., there was a chaotic crash during a drone show in Orlando in December 2024. During a public show in downtown Orlando, multiple drones tumbled from the sky mid-performance and left a child with severe injuries necessitating heart surgery.

This call for creating drone show safety standards comes at a pivotal moment for drone light shows, which have gone from niche novelty to center-stage spectacles at music festivals, theme parks, fireworks alternatives and even presidential celebrations.

But many people (including established drone show companies) have concerns around safety, especially as new players come to market. And as it becomes increasingly affordable and easy to create your own drone show company with ready-to-fly light show drones and easy-to-use software, some in the industry fear that might open the door for market players that either lack adequate experience or cut corners to stay competitive.

The Orlando crash wasn’t the first and won’t be the last if proper safety mechanisms aren’t prioritized. At The Drone Girl, we’ve covered the surge in drone shows with enthusiasm. Longtime readers know I went three nights in a row to see the Disneyland Paris Drone Show, because I’m that big of a fan.

And sure, drone shows are generally safer than fireworks. In fact,  the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) received reports of eight deaths and an estimated 9,700 injuries involving fireworks in 2023. But just because drones aren’t as dangerous as fireworks doesn’t mean that safety can be overlooked.

The ASTM task group looking to create drone show safety standards

In response to worries about the safety of drone shows, ASTM International, a globally recognized standards organization, is convening a task group specifically to address drone show operations.

That task group will create technical guidelines covering everything from system redundancies to operational best practices.

Nils Thorjussen, executive chairman of Verge Aero, which is a drone show company based in Texas but that puts on shows nationwide, will chair the group. And in fact, Verge Aero makes its own, ridiculously easy-to-use drone show software.

According to Thorjussen, the group also has backing by the Federal Aviation Administration.

How to join the ASTM task group

The formation of ASTM’s drone show task group is an open invitation. Companies, pilots, manufacturers and even event organizers are urged to participate. Verge Aero is spearheading the charge, offering their white paper freely at verge.aero/safety and encouraging interested parties to reach out via email at standards@vergeaero.com.

The five pillars of drone show safety

(Photo courtesy of Verge Aero)

To kickstart the industry conversation, Verge Aero released a comprehensive white paper titled The Essential Guide to Drone Show Safety. In it, they outline five key elements required for safe and professional drone light shows (while also promoting their own safety systems):

  1. Navigation redundancy: Verge Aero emphasizes that one estimator is not enough. Their X1 and X7 drones feature multiple redundant navigation systems. Those systems use as many as six estimators to protect against sensor failure and data inaccuracy, which are common culprits in drone flyaways.
  2. Appropriate and up-to-date software: Outdated autopilot software leaves drones vulnerable. Verge Aero’s system uses the latest PX4 software (v1.15+), which is designed to take full advantage of estimator redundancy and flight deconfliction. The platform’s show-building software also mathematically validates flight paths to avoid midair collisions.
  3. Multiple and independent geofence systems: Verge’s geofencing technology includes soft “dynamic bubble” geofences for each drone, traditional hard geofences, and predictive trajectory geofences. These layers work together to ensure drones land safely before breaching any dangerous airspace.
  4. Reliable, long-range communication: Verge Aero avoids WiFi (notoriously unreliable in high-interference environments) in favor of long-range point-to-point communication links that maintain full control of the fleet during emergencies—even kilometers away from the operator.
  5. Training and safety management: Borrowing from commercial aviation, Verge’s approach includes ongoing pilot training, a formal Safety Management System, and an emphasis on rest and clear-headed decision-making. “Pilots don’t just press play,” the company stresses. “They must remain alert, engaged, and ready to act.”

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MITRE and Gambit Partner to Advance Autonomous Systems for Homeland and National Security

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– MITRE and Gambit announced a strategic partnership to transform the deployment and safe use of autonomous ground and aerial vehicles for homeland security and national defense. The collaboration aims to enhance situational awareness, operational efficiency, and mission safety by integrating Gambit’s proprietary software solutions, capable of enabling groups of robotic systems to learn, adapt, and act on […]

Stark Flight Next-Generation Agricultural Drones to Revolutionize Farm Efficiency and Sustainability

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– Stark Flight, a provider of agricultural drone technology, has announced the launch of its advanced drone platform, designed to transform modern farming with unparalleled precision, cost savings, and environmental benefits. This innovative solution empowers farmers, agribusinesses, and researchers to optimize crop management, reduce operational costs, and promote sustainable practices in an era of increasing […]