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Germany’s Avilus Presents New Drones at Bundeswehr Day

At the Bundeswehr Day in Dietz at the end of June, German drone specialist Avilus unveiled the third generation of the Grille and the first generation of two other unmanned aerial vehicles (UAS), the Wespe and the Bussard, along with new ground control stations. The new portfolio in brief: ‍Bussard – Long Range. Strategic Intelligence […]

1,500 Drone Light Show at Chongqing Low-Altitude Economy Expo

A mesmerizing display of 1,500 drones lit up the night sky above Shuanggui Lake National Wetland Park in Chongqing as part of the first Western China Low-Altitude Economy Expo. The event ran from July 11 to 13 and featured an array of activities, including drone light shows, a low-altitude economy development conference, aircraft exhibitions, aviation-themed […]

International Drone Show in Denmark Sets New Attendance Record

The International Drone Show cemented its status as the largest drone event in Northern Europa by attracting more than 1,000 industry players across defence, energy, agriculture, mobility and critical infrastructure. Drones are about to make their big breakthrough in a number of industries. This was emphasised by this week’s International Drone Show 2025 (IDS), held […]

Drones Take Center Stage at Paris Air Show 2025

Europe is attempting to close the gap with the U.S. and adapt to a new era of high-intensity warfare. At this year’s Paris Air Show, fighter jets are taking a backseat. Unmanned and autonomous technologies are driving the future of defence and dominating the conversation at Le Bourget airport in northern Paris. With 2,400 exhibitors […]

MBDA Unveils ONE WAY EFFECTOR: a Solution to Saturate Enemies’ Defences

At the 2025 Paris Air Show, MBDA is presenting ONE WAY EFFECTOR. Development of this sovereign long-range solution is taking place through an innovative production setup, in partnership with a drone manufacturer and industry players, notably from the automotive sector. ONE WAY EFFECTOR represents a trade-off between the need for mass and performance at lower […]

SOFWERX ‘Drone in a Box’ Competition Opens for Submissions

U.S. Special Operations Command’s innovation platform has opened submissions for its competition to identify modular, adaptable and scalable solutions for flexible and responsive intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to be used on uncrewed ground and aerial systems. The request for submissions is the second phase in the “Drone in a Box” competition, hosted by SOFWERX […]

Belarus SKY-TRUCK Cargo Drone and Julietta Reconnaissance Drone at MILEX-2025

A helicopter-type cargo drone called SKY-TRUCK and an aircraft-type reconnaissance drone called Julietta were presented in Minsk. The drones were demonstrated at the MILEX-2025 international exhibition of weapons and military equipment. SKY-TRUCK was presented by UAVHELI, a company specializing in the creation of unmanned helicopter systems. The drone is primarily designed for transporting cargo in automatic or […]

Fourth of July 2025 drone shows: where drone fans should spend Independence Day

Once again, Fourth of July 2025 is all about drone shows!

Across the country, cities big and small are swapping loud, smoky fireworks for quiet, eco-friendly drone light displays. Some places are using drones alongside traditional fireworks, while others are replacing them entirely. Either way, the skies are set to dazzle with patriotic shapes this Independence Day.

If you want to celebrate America’s birthday with a high-tech twist, here are the best Fourth of July drone shows to watch in 2025:

Small town drone shows to watch for Fourth of July 2025

Not every drone show requires an expensive theme park ticket or serious advance planning to get a seat. Many small towns offer drone shows intended for the residents — intended to be free to watch from the city center. Here are some of the best small town drone shows for Fourth of July 2025:

Tigard 4th of July Celebration (Tigard, Oregon)

The city of Tigard is back with its second-annual Fourth of July Drone Show.

This family-friendly event includes live music, kids’ games and food vendors — and of course, a drone light show to cap off the night. No personal fireworks, alcohol or pets are allowed, making it a relaxed, safe environment for all ages.

Details:

  • Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
  • Admission: Free
  • Location: Tigard, Oregon (specific event details to come)

Pro tip: Arrive early to snag a good spot — and bring lawn chairs!

City of Goleta 4th of July Drone Show (Goleta, California)

Southern California’s Goleta (which is a city near Santa Barbara) is running its first-ever community drone show this Fourth of July — and admission is completely free.

The festivities begin at 6:00 p.m. at Dos Pueblos High School, with food trucks, DJ Darla Bea spinning tunes, a dance floor, and more family fun. The drone show is expected to begin around 8:30 p.m., and it should be visible from up to 10 miles away — but you’ll get the best view inside the stadium itself.

Details:

  • Date: Friday, July 4, 2025
  • Admission: Free
  • Location: Dos Pueblos High School, Goleta, CA

Schaumburg Boomers Fireworks & Drone Show (Schaumburg, Illinois)

At Schaumburg Boomers Stadium, you don’t have to choose between tradition and innovation — you’ll get both fireworks and a drone show!

After the baseball game, the sky lights up with fireworks blended with drone choreography. The Fourth of July show takes place on Saturday, July 5 (so you can extend your holiday celebrations an extra day).

Details:

  • Date: Saturday, July 5, 2025
  • Admission: Ticket required for Boomers game (ticket prices vary)
  • Location: Wintrust Field, Schaumburg, IL

Major drone shows happening on Fourth of July 2025

Small town drone shows are sweet, but many of the major U.S. theme parks and event venues put on epic drone shows — often synced to music or held in tandem with fireworks. If you’re willing to spend some money on tickets, here are the best of the best when it comes to Fourth of July 2025 drone shows.

Grant’s Farm Summer Nights (St. Louis, Missouri)

My family lives near St. Louis, so it’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of Grant’s Farm. It’s one of those rare places that’s just as magical for adults as it is for kids — from feeding goats to sipping a free beer in the courtyard.

And every summer, they run an event called Grant’s Farm Summer Nights, which runs every Friday, Saturday, and select Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The evening event includes tram rides, food, drinks, live bands (starting at 6 p.m.) and a drone show (starting at 9 p.m.). With July Fourth falling on a Friday in 2025, that means Summer Nights align with the holiday.

Though daytime admission is entirely free, this one is still quite affordable. Tickets for the Fourth of July 2025 Grant’s Farm Summer Nights event cost just $12 per person (plus tax).

Holiday World’s Holidays in the Sky

Holiday World is a theme park dedicated entirely to, well, holidays. So why not spend America’s holiday here?

The Indiana theme park runs a 15-minute drone show every night between Saturday, June 21 through Sunday, August 3, featuring 500 drones alongside fireworks and a DJ.

And though Holiday World tickets cost less than $100, you might splurge on a drone show dessert party for $30 which gets you preferred seating plus access to desserts, fruit, cheese, and bottled water.

Why Fourth of July 2025 is all about drones

There are several reasons why more cities, theme parks and event venues are opting for drone shows:

  • Fire safety: Drones don’t spark fires like fireworks can, making them a safer choice, especially in drought-prone areas.
  • Environmental benefits: Drones produce no smoke, no debris and minimal noise pollution.
  • Quieter celebrations: Sensitive guests — including pets, veterans, and young children — can enjoy the holiday without the loud booms.
  • Creative storytelling: Drones can create more detailed animations than fireworks.

Now the list above is just a smattering of all the Fourth of July 2025 drone shows happening nationwide — of which there will be dozens. In 2024, for example, Sky Elements flew about 35 different Fourth of July drone shows across 12 states.

Can’t wait for July Fourth? Speaking of Sky Elements, they nabbed a third-place, podium finish on America’s Got Talent Season 19. Their final performance (which I got to witness myself at the AGT Season 19 finale!) was so fitting for July Fourth. Dubbed American Dream, it showcases all sorts of American themes and was set to the song “A Million Dreams” by Pink. Watch it here:

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XPONENTIAL 2025 lands in Houston this week — here’s what not to miss

Houston, we are go for launch. The launch of XPONENTIAL 2025, that is.

AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2025, which is a massive conference for all things drones (as well as other types of robotics), kicks off today at the George R. Brown Convention Center. It runs through May 22. And if you’re there, expect more than just a big expo hall of booths plus some speakers on the show floor. This year’s conference includes multiple co-located events, which are add-on workshops specific to certain industries, like military or law.

You’ll even get to meet Chris Rocheleau, Acting Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration as he gives one of the featured keynotes. Other keynotes include one with Sue Gordon, Former Principal Deputy Director of National Intelligence of the United States of America.

Whether you’re coming to learn, network or geek out over the latest in air, land, sea and space autonomy, XPONENTIAL 2025 is pretty much the ultimate place to do that, particularly if you’re in the enterprise drone realm. This is the event of the year for industries like defense, energy, logistics, public safety and environmental science.

Specific to AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2025, here’s your preview of what to look out for this week around the conference:

Must-see companies on the show floor

SkyWatch | Booth #4041

If you’re a drone operator, there’s one booth you can’t afford to skip: SkyWatch, the U.S. market leader in drone insurance with over 200,000 policies issued. Of course it’ll be educational to talk to them, but there’s one other reason to visit at Booth #4041. They’re offering a giveaway to win an FPV racing drone! Let’s hope you win.

SkyWatch offers flexible coverage for hourly, monthly, or annual flight needs—and they’ve built a reputation on nearly perfect 5-star reviews from UAV pilots across the country. Their intuitive platform makes it easy for operators to get the coverage they need, when they need it.

Additionally, Tyler, SkyWatch’s Head of Partnerships, will be giving a talk at the Innovation Theater on May 21 dubbed “Drone Insurance Made Easy.”

Amniscient | Booth #3433

Computer vision AI is quietly becoming one of the biggest disruptors in automation—and Amniscient is leading the charge. At XPONENTIAL 2025, they’re showcasing AmniSphere, a platform that helps businesses of all sizes unlock real-time operational insights using computer vision.

Meteomatics | Booth #2915

You know the forecast. Now meet the drone that made it.

Meteomatics, the company behind high-resolution forecasting for brands like Toyota and CVS Health, is bringing its Meteodrone to Houston. This autonomous drone flies up to 20,000 feet to gather weather data from the low-level atmosphere — where most commercial weather data systems don’t reach.

This translates into forecasts that are 9x more granular than government sources—a major boon for aviation, agriculture, energy, and logistics companies. At AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2025, you’ll be able to meet Brad Guay, Meteomatics’ Aerospace Lead.

What’s new and what’s next

XPONENTIAL 2025 has added some new features and given some upgrades to its programming tracks from past years. Some highlights to look forward to:

  • Innovation Theater programming focused on oil, gas, and critical infrastructure
  • A brand-new Technical Components, Materials, & Propulsion track
  • Expanded cybersecurity and counter-UxS content
  • Interactive workshops with more hands-on learning than ever
  • Fresh debate-style formats that dig into the most pressing industry controversies

Personally, I’m most curious about that debate style format. I’m tired of panels of 6 people where everyone says something to the effect of, “to echo what so-and-so said,” or “I have to agree with so-and-so.” Don’t just repeat what was said! Give me a hot take! Share a new viewpoint! I love a good debate, and I love that XPONENTIAL 2025 will lean into it.

Co-located events at XPONENTIAL 2025

Law-Tech Connect Workshop

May 19 | 7:30 AM – 5:30 PM CST
Early Bird: $249 | Standard: $299
Includes XPO Hall Pass

Hosted by my friend Dawn Zoldi, this is my go-to event for legal minds, engineers and operators navigating the regulatory minefield of drones, AI and autonomy. Expect it to cover global drone laws, AAM policy, AI regulation, space tech and more.

DRONERESPONDERS Public Safety Forum

May 19–22 | Various Times
Early Bird: $299 | Standard: $399
Free with Full Conference or VIP Pass

This four-day public safety powerhouse brings together fire, law enforcement, EMS and emergency managers from across the country. Expect focused education, live demos, and strategic networking.

AUVSI Defense

May 20–22 | Defense Theater
Open to Full Conference & VIP Pass holders + uniformed personnel with Hall Pass

This is where defense officials and prime contractors come together to align autonomy innovation with national security missions. Expect high-level speakers, program updates and classified insights into the future of uncrewed systems on the battlefield.

U.S.-Taiwan Autonomous Systems Cooperation Forum

May 20 | 10:45 AM – 1:00 PM CST
Free with special registration + Full Conference/VIP Pass

This restricted-access, closed-door session will focus on strengthening U.S.-Taiwan cooperation in autonomous tech and defense supply chains — crucial for U.S. industrial resilience and Indo-Pacific security strategy.

How to maximize XPONENTIAL 2025

Plan your floor walk, book your sessions early, and leave time for discovery. The future of autonomy is being built across booths and theaters. You never know which handshake or panel will shape your next business move. Have fun in Houston. Happy flying!

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Summer 2025 drone shows: plan your summer vacations now

Summer 2025 drone shows are shaping up to make for one of the biggest seasons yet for nighttime entertainment. And with summer travel planning season happening now, it’s time to book those flights, make those hotel reservations and perhaps buy those theme park or baseball tickets to actually see them.

Many of the best summer 2025 drone shows are happening at theme parks. But that’s not all. There’s no shortage of hometown Fourth of July celebrations across the U.S. that now feature drone light shows in lieu of (or enhancing) traditional fireworks displays.

And while drone light shows cost thousands of dollars for the organizers to put on, many are free for you to watch.

Here’s your guide to the must-see summer 2025 drone shows — and why you should start planning now to catch these sky-high celebrations.

Disneyland Paris (Marne-la-Vallée, France)

Already a pioneer in theme park drone shows, Disneyland Paris is back with the “Disney Tales of Magic” show, which launched January 10, 2025. Past hits like a Marvel drone show, “Disney D-Light” and “Disney Electrical Sky Parade” set the stage, but this new show is bigger than ever. It combines drones, pyrotechnics, fountain displays and a brand-new soundtrack.

Produced by the drone show powerhouse Dronisos, it’s a can’t-miss for Disney fans and tech lovers alike.

You will need a ticket into Disneyland Paris to see the show. You can typically buy Disney theme park tickets at the best price from Undercover Tourist.

Schaumburg Boomers Fireworks & Drone Shows (Schaumburg, Illinois)

Baseball meets high-tech entertainment with the Schaumburg Boomers’ 2025 Fireworks & Drone Show schedule. The Schaumburg Boomers are a professional baseball team based that compete in the Frontier League as a member of the Midwest Division.

Special dates include:

  • Sunday, May 25 (Memorial Day Weekend)
  • Saturday, July 5
  • Friday, July 25
  • Friday, August 8

Catch a game, then sit back for a postgame spectacle of fireworks and drone choreography.

Grant’s Farm Summer Nights (St. Louis, Missouri)

Grant’s Farm is lighting up the St. Louis summer with Grant’s Farm in the Sky: A Drone Show Spectacular.

Every Friday, Saturday, and select Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day, enjoy an evening of tram rides, food, drinks, live bands (starting at 6 p.m.), and a drone show (starting at 9 p.m.).

Tickets for the evening events start at just $12+tax per person, though parking is an additional charge.

Silver Dollar City (Branson, Missouri)

Silver Dollar City is getting its first-ever drone show this summer! As part of its Summer Celebration, running June 7 through August 3, 2025, visitors can expect a nighttime display of drones, plus new attractions like a Wild West Comedy Stunt Show and the Silver Dollar Circus. Fireworks will still cap off the evening for those who love the traditional sparkle.

Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, Tennessee)

Dollywood’s nighttime drone show is becoming a cherished tradition. As the park celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2025, expect an even bigger summer spectacle featuring hundreds of drones, fireworks, and high-energy dance parties hosted in the Wildwood Grove area.

The best part? You can pair your visit with trips to nearby attractions like Anakeesta and the Titanic Museum — with discount tickets available via Undercover Tourist.

Holiday World (Santa Claus, Indiana)

Holiday World proves you don’t need a Disney-sized budget to put on a drone show. Their 500-drone spectacular celebrates holidays like Christmas, Halloween, and Independence Day with dynamic formations and a fireworks finale.

Tickets can cost less than $50 — and include free parking, soft drinks, and sunscreen, making it one of the best theme park deals in America.

The drone show kicks off June 21 and runs nightly through August 3, 2025.

Pro tip: The best viewing is from Party Plaza in the Thanksgiving Section.

City of Goleta 4th of July Drone Show (Goleta, California)

For the first time ever, Goleta will host a community drone show on July 4 at Dos Pueblos High School. Goleta is a charming town not far from Santa Barbara, the famous beach escape north of Los Angeles.

The festivities start at 6 p.m. with food trucks, a DJ, a dance floor and family-friendly activities. The drone show kicks off at approximately 8:30 p.m. and will be visible up to 10 miles away — though the best seats are inside the stadium itself.

Admission is free, making it a fantastic, budget-friendly way to celebrate the holiday.

Tigard 4th of July Celebration (Tigard, Oregon)

Back for a second year, the City of Tigard’s family-friendly Fourth of July celebration features a lively drone show, plus live music, kids’ games and police and firetruck displays.

No pets, fireworks or alcohol are allowed — but you’ll get an unforgettable drone experience at no cost to attend. It’s an excellent, low-stress way to celebrate America’s birthday.

Know of any great summer 2025 drone shows I should add to this list? Contact me here!

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