All images courtesy Axon, used with permission. Axon, a global leader in public safety technology, has expanded its portfolio with the acquisition of Sky-Hero, making a mature, field-tested suite of tactical robotics available to state, local, tribal, and territorial (SLTT) police agencies across the United States. Previously limited to government and defense use, the Sky-Hero […]
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$790K contract supports TRUAS mission to resupply frontline units in contested and confined environments Near Earth Autonomy has been awarded a $790,000 contract by SURVICE Engineering to provide miniaturized autonomous flight systems for the U.S. Marine Corps Tactical Resupply Unmanned Aircraft System (TRUAS) program. This contract is part of a larger $4.6 million effort to […]
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Next up in our “Ask Drone Girl” series is a question about where to buy drones from a brick and mortar store, specifically in Mississippi (but my answer applies to many states!). If you have a question for Drone Girl, contact her here. Note, the following question has been edited for clarity and brevity.
Hello, my name is Justin, and I’m from the great state of Mississippi. I need help finding a good, reliable place to buy a Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo set.
I‘m buying it to take photos and videos both for work, which consists of making ads for the car dealership where I work. I’ll also use it for fun.
I would LOVE to buy the Mini 4 Pro at an actual brick-and-mortar store so I can return it easily if I have problems or get to know someone who works there who can help if I need it. I’m not completely against ordering online, as long as it is from a well-known and reputable seller.
-Justin, Southern Gentleman
Hey Justin!
I’d be honored to help you find the perfect place to buy a DJI Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo. Since you’d prefer a brick-and-mortar store, your best bet in Mississippi is Best Buy:
If you’re open to ordering online from reputable retailers (which I know you mentioned), these are 100% trustworthy:
Benefits of shopping through DJI’s official store include that they often have promos. Some of those promos entail free gifts or store credits.
And now is a good time to buy from DJI. The company just restocked the DJI Mini 4 Pro. Along with the restock news, DJI hinted that price hikes are coming to account for tariffs, so now might be the best time to buy. You’re also buying directly from the source.
The drawback? Some readers have been saying that they have been having issues getting their drones delivered because they’re stuck at U.S. customs. Given that, it might be better to shop from a U.S.-based retailer like Amazon, Drone Nerds or B&H Photo.
Shopping for the Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo on Amazon is incredibly convenient — and can even help you save a little money. If you have an Amazon Prime Visa Card, you can earn 5% back on your purchase, which adds up on a big-ticket item like a drone.
Another huge perk? Amazon’s return process is super smooth. If anything’s wrong with your drone or you simply change your mind, you can often print a return label instantly and drop it off at a nearby UPS or Amazon hub — no questions asked.
That said, you need to make sure you’re buying from a trusted seller. Look for listings that say “Ships from and Sold by Amazon” or “Sold by DJI Official Store.” Avoid sketchy third-party sellers.
Order the DJI Mini 4 drone from Amazon now.
B&H Photo is a dream destination for any gearhead. If you ever find yourself in New York City, it’s worth planning a pit stop to wander through the aisles of their flagship Manhattan store — one of my favorite detours in the Big Apple.
Even if you’re not local, their online experience is just as reliable. B&H has a stellar reputation for customer service, fast shipping and a deep selection of drone accessories. Their staff actually knows what they’re talking about, too — so if you have questions, you can get real answers from real pros.
They also frequently run promos, and their checkout system is super clear when it comes to taxes and shipping timelines.
Order the DJI Mini 4 drone from B&H Photo now.
If you want a more boutique experience with real, personalized support, then Drone Nerds is your spot. Their customer service is phenomenal — and they’re one of the most knowledgeable DJI-authorized retailers out there.
One thing that really sets them apart? The Drone Nerds in-house drone repair team is arguably the best in the business. So if anything ever happens to your drone, you can rest easy knowing they’ve got your back.
Order the DJI Mini 4 drone from Drone Nerds now.
If you want a local brick and mortar store, I’d start by calling your local Best Buy to see if they have the Mini 4 Pro Fly More Combo in stock. That way you can walk out with it today and have someone to talk to face-to-face if anything comes up.
If you’re buying online, my top pick is Drone Nerds for the unmatched support, especially since you’re serious about using this drone for both business and fun. That repair team is a lifesaver if anything ever goes wrong.
If speed and savings are your thing, Amazon is excellent — just be picky about the seller. And if you want gear shopping to feel like a kid-in-a-candy-store experience, B&H is your place, especially if you might pick up other photo gear down the line. If you make it to New York, the B&H brick and mortar store is amazing.
Short answer: YES. Especially for your combo of work and play.
It’s one of my favorite travel drones next to the DJI Air 3S, and it’s also one of the best drones for photographers overall.
If you were doing heavy lifting, like towing cinema cameras, I’d say look bigger. But for ads, aerials, hobby content, and even client work? The Mini 4 Pro is exactly the sweet spot.
Happy flying!
-Sally
If you have a question for Drone Girl, contact her here.
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The post Buying drones from a brick and mortar store? Here’s where to go appeared first on The Drone Girl.
While political tensions with China have made headlines for years, the drone industry is feeling the impact in real time. After all, the last couple months have been a wild ride when it comes to tariffs. And even American drone companies, like AgEagle, are bracing.
On April 5, Trump imposed a 10% tariff on all countries, citing his authority under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977 (IEEPA), which is there to address national emergencies. He has cited the nation’s trade deficit to enact that.
Then on April 9, Trump imposed individualized, reciprocal higher tariff on the countries with which the United States has the largest trade deficits. Tit-for-tat retaliation sent tariffs on products made in China (which accounts for not just drones made my companies like DJI, but also components used by drone companies) beyond a staggering 145%.
Amidst turmoil in the stock markets, his tune as changed. At a White House event on April 22, Trump said that high tariffs on Chinese goods would come down.
“145% is very high and it won’t be that high,” Trump said. “It won’t be anywhere near that high. It’ll come down substantially. But it won’t be zero.”
So what do American drone companies think of U.S. tariffs?
I sat down with Bill Irby, CEO of AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: UAVS). His take in a nutshell? Tariffs on Chinese drones may sting in the short term, but they’re part of a long-term opportunity for American drone companies.
“I’m a huge fan of getting China out of the U.S. — getting them out of the U.S. skies for all the reasons that the administration has put forward,” Irby said. “I know what they’ve done, and I know what they’re capable of. I think it’s very good to get all Chinese drone manufacturers out of the U.S. airspace.”
His company, AgEagle, is based in Wichita, Kansas. It builds hardware, high-precision sensors and ground control and analytics software for drones.
Their key products include the eBee X, which is designed for mapping, the eBee TAC Public Safety an the eBee Vision, which is designed for real-time situational awareness. All of those drones are fairly light, weighing about 3.5 pounds, and are capable of flying for up to 90 minutes at a time.
The Trump and Biden administrations alike have raised concerns about data privacy and national security risks tied to Chinese-made drones — particularly DJI, which dominates the consumer and commercial market globally.
Recent federal legislation restricts certain U.S. government arms and its contractors from using Chinese drones. That includes a 2020 policy shift where the the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) restricted the use of drones that could be purchased for use within the agency, blocking those that were manufactured in adversary nations including China.
Related read: Foreign-made drone ban leaves one major U.S. federal agency scrambling over high costs
Even before Trump was elected president, politicians called for ways to limit or ban DJI drones, including through tariffs. For example, New York’s Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik in May 2024 introduced the Drones for First Responders (DFR) Act. That would have created a 30% tariff on drones made in China, with subsequent increases over the years until they are banned entirely. Another proposal, the American Security Drone Act of 2023 sought to prohibit all federal agencies from purchasing drones made by certain foreign entities, like those made in China.
Few American companies truly make all of their products in the U.S. Most procure at least some parts from other companies. Tariffs not only add to costs, but also complication.
“Manufacturers must track millions of components as they move along the supply chain, and properly classify each product by country-of-origin and Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS) codes–or codes used to identify products for duty rates–to calculate tariffs,” according to a statement from Cofactr, a source-to-pay and logistics platform. “Companies must also hold a documentation trail for each of their products as they cross international borders so they can properly prepare records for duty drawbacks, temporary import bonding, and de minimis exemptions.
Cofactr has suggested that companies who do this manually are subject to increased errors, which could result in production delays, goods held in customs, and unexpected costs.
For AgEagle, which designs and manufactures drones in Switzerland, global borders have created their own set of barriers.
“Switzerland’s neutrality has prevented us from selling to places like Ukraine and Israel,” Irby said. “So we’re taking steps to bring a production line into the U.S.”
This reshoring effort isn’t just about geopolitics; it’s about access. Building drones domestically would eliminate international restrictions and align with increasing government preference for “Made in America” tech.
Tariffs on imported drone parts present both challenge and opportunity for American drone companies.
“We’re still going to get hit with tariffs on some international parts,” Irby said. “But the move to manufacture in the U.S. means we could see increased demand from customers who want to buy American.”
In short: tariffs could increase AgEagle’s cost of doing business, but they also boost its competitiveness in a market that’s increasingly wary of Chinese tech.
In short, anyone buying a drone should expect prices to rise as a result of tariffs. DJI already explicitly warned that price increases are coming to its drones. Irby said that AgEagle customers should expect the same.
“If we see a price increase, [our customers] will see a price increase,” Irby said. “That’s just how it works.”
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Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 26, 2025. That’s because the latest edition of the Federal Aviation Administration’s annual Drone Safety Day is back. Consider FAA Drone Safety Day 2025 to be your official excuse to think about drones all day long.
Drone Safety Day 2025, organized by the FAA, is part public service announcement and part fly-in celebration. Combined, it’s all about bringing the drone community together. While safety is the core message (the FAA puts safety at the forefront), this one-day, national campaign is just generally a fantastic opportunity for drone pilots to come together at in-person events.
This is the seventh annual Drone Safety Day, originally launched in 2019 as National Drone Safety Awareness Week. The FAA pared the event down to a single-day celebration starting in 2022 — and the streamlined version has stuck.
On the surface, Drone Safety Day is all about educating the public on safe drone practices. But in reality, it thrives because of the dozens of passionate companies, schools, and organizations that host events across the country. From hands-on flying demos to educational panels and STEM-focused family days, these events make the day feel more like a celebration than a lecture.
And if you’re an organization in the drone space? This day is a prime opportunity to showcase your expertise, connect with your community and flex your aerial marketing muscles.
As in years past, the FAA is rolling out its signature Fly RIGHT safety theme, a kind of goofy acronym. Its intent is to focus on five key principles:
This year’s calendar for Drone Safety Day 2025 includes events in nearly every region of the U.S. — plus virtual options if you’d rather participate from home.
Here are just a few highlights:
Drone Safety Day at Goldey-Beacom College in Delaware (April 26, 9 AM–4:30 PM)
Drone Safety Day at Unique Photo in New Jersey with Michael Downey (April 26, 11 AM–2 PM)
NASA Aviation Safety Reporting System & Drone Reports webinar (April 26, 10 AM PST)
Family Fun Fest in Westminster, Maryland (April 26, 10 AM–2 PM)
Bay Area Drone Safety Day & Field Expo on San Francisco’s Treasure Island (April 26, 10:30 AM–3:30 PM)
“What’s Up With Drones?!” at Williamsburg Executive Airport in Virginia (May 3, 10 AM–4 PM)More events are being added all the time, so check the FAA’s Drone Safety Day 2025 events calendar for the full list or to submit your own event.
And if you can’t find an event near you? Make your own! Whether you host a casual neighborhood fly-in, an educational meetup, or a classroom STEM activity, the FAA encourages everyone to get involved. You can even register your event on the FAA’s map to make it official.
See you out there (or up there)!
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When I boarded the MSC World America for its inaugural sailing this month, I was in awe of the multiple waterslides, the 11-story dry slide called the Jaw Drop and the Cliffhanger, an over-water swing ride. But while all that was amazing, it was still the drones that stole the show. As it turns out, MSC Cruises is doing some seriously innovative work with drone technology, and I saw it all firsthand as part of an exclusive media sailing that I was invited to be a part of.
From a drone light show to cinematic fly-throughs — and even hands-on drone education for kids — here are three ways MSC Cruises is setting a new standard for how the cruise industry embraces drones.
MSC kicked off its inaugural sailing of the MSC World America with an epic drone show, lighting up the night with synchronized swarms of drones dancing across the sky. The luminous UAVs flew into shapes like a flamingo (fitting for the Miami sailing) and a cruise ship. The drones also spelled out the letters “MSC” to leave no doubt whose drone show it was.
It was more than just entertainment — it was an ongoing talking point. For the next few days of the three-night sailing, everyone was talking about the drone show and ensuring everyone saw the can’t miss entertainment in the sky. Gloria Estefan then performed the act immediately following the drone show, and — while she is a star — more people were buzzing about the drone’s performance than her performance.
Now this is not the first time drones have been used to send off a ship for its inaugural sailing. In fact, in October 2024 I sailed on the Sun Princess, which also kicked off its inaugural sailing with a drone show.
To now be two for two on drone shows ahead of sailings, it’s thrilling to see how big cruise lines are making drones the centerpiece of celebration.
MSC didn’t stop at the sky show. Throughout the sailing, the ship was constantly being filmed by drones — and not just the usual high-flying kind. MSC commissioned a series of drone operators to document the cruise in next-level style.
One of the highlights? An incredible FPV fly-through of MSC World America posted by Instagram creator @Jedeye_FPV.
The video takes viewers through nearly every nook and cranny of the ship — starting with the rooms (yes, it flies through multiple rooms) then cutting through the Promenade, which is an architectural feat featuring that multi-story slide cutting through the center. The drone then flies out giving a wide, exterior shot of the entire ship. The video is smooth, fast, and brilliantly choreographed — a true showcase of what cinematic FPV drones can do in the right hands.
In fact, @Jedeye_FPV put out a second, behind-the scenes video that’s honestly even more fun to watch.
As one commenter put it, “The amount of skill to pull this out is insane.”
Beyond FPV, MSC also used larger, cinematic drones to capture the scale and design of the ship from above, used in other marketing materials.
For example, MSC Cruises’ own Instagram post promoting their ship has an array of shots, including standard on-the-ground cameras, GoPros worn on the body or on selfie sticks and, yes, drones. Check out that video here, and look for the drone shots (it’s easy to pick them out).
The drones aren’t just for show — they’re for learning, too. Inside the MSC Sportplex, a massive recreation area for families and teens, there’s something truly unique: the MSC Drone Academy.
Multiple MSC ships feature a drone academy. Experiences vary by ship, but generally it’s about letting kids learn the basics of drone flying in a safe, supervised environment. Kids get hands-on with mini drones and navigate indoor obstacle courses, building hand-eye coordination and STEM skills in the process.
For example, MSC Euribia has something called Drone Academy 2.0. It entails a lively drone relay race that’s better at night due to the lights on the drones. Racers use POV cameras and VR. From there, they compete in teams, navigating 15 obstacles for time.
You can see drones in action in this promotion video from MSC Cruises:
It’s refreshing to see a cruise line investing in educational, tech-forward programming for young guests. For many of these kids, this could be their first flight — and the start of a lifelong passion (and perhaps a future career being a cruise photographer or light show designer).
MSC Cruises and in particular the World America’s embrace of drones is no one-off gimmick. It’s all part of a larger commitment to technology-driven experiences.
MSC Cruises has positioned itself as a leader in cruise innovation, from sustainable LNG-powered ships to next-gen guest experiences. Case in point: its brand-new, state-of-the-art cruise terminal in PortMiami. The massive facility is now the largest in the world. Plus, it incorporates biometric screening technology to streamline embarkation and disembarkation. The result? Faster boarding, enhanced security, and a smoother start to your vacation.
Whether it’s in the terminal or the skies above the ship, MSC is using tech to make the cruise experience smarter, sleeker, and more futuristic. And as someone who’s been covering drones for years, it was exhilarating to see a mainstream travel brand using drones so creatively – and in such a diversity of ways.
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– Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation has succeeded in the world’s first experiment to induce and guide lightning using a drone, demonstrating the effectiveness of drone lightning resistance technology and lightning induction technology using electric field fluctuations with actual lightning. In the future, this result is expected to contribute to research into the generation of […]
– General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has announced that the U.S. Marine Corps has passed more than 1,000 flight hours with MQ-9A unmanned aircraft in support of service-level training exercises and weapons and tactics instructor courses. This accomplishment involved a combined aircrew of dedicated Marines and GA-ASI personnel, highlighting the seamless integration and operational effectiveness […]
– AeroVironment has announced it has been awarded a $46.6M contract by the Italian Ministry of Defence for the delivery of its JUMP 20 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) medium uncrewed aircraft system (MUAS). The five-year contract encompasses the procurement of JUMP 20 air vehicles, engineering services, initial sustainment and onsite technical support – ensuring […]
Hickam Air Force Base in Hawaii is testing novel energy technology to provide electrical power and hydrogen fuel in the kind of isolated and austere outposts the Air Force will need in the Pacific theater for its new Agile Combat Employment way of warfare. The technology, developed by a majority veteran-founded startup based in Houston, […]