The crew of a Merlin helicopter turned off their radar – and instead relied on a drone and its controllers to close in on ‘suspect’ vessels in the Atlantic. It’s the first time the Royal Navy has used a drone to help direct the actions of crewed aircraft and helps lay the foundations for the […]
Sgt. 1st Class Jovani Vasquez spent a week learning about the new aircraft that he would fly for the Army — a small, commercially available drone that is cheap enough to break and replace without a lot of paperwork. To keep the football-sized quadcopter flight-ready and improve his own flying skills, Vasquez scours online forums […]
A Russian drone manufacturer with ties to President Vladimir Putin’s daughter has published the country’s first school textbook on operating drones, the company announced. “This is currently the only school publication on unmanned aircraft systems that has passed state expertise,” said drone maker Geoscan. Titled “Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: 8th and 9th Grades,” the textbook was […]
In a hearing before the U.S. House Subcommittee on Aviation, Michael Robbins, President and CEO of the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI), outlined critical updates and challenges in implementing the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024. His testimony emphasized the urgent need for regulatory clarity, workforce development, and infrastructure modernization to secure U.S. leadership […]
The Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has announced two significant initiatives: the $20 million Project G.I. Challenge to fast-track next-generation UAS solutions, and a new framework inviting third-party assessors to support Blue UAS NDAA compliance. While these developments are designed to modernize and accelerate secure drone adoption for defense, they also highlight ongoing discussion about the […]
Bridger Photonics expands methane detection to the offshore By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill A company that has pioneered the use of LiDAR-based sensors mounted on fixed-wing aircraft to detect methane emissions emanating from oil and gas facilities on the ground has turned to the use of drones to achieve the same mission for offshore […]
Next up in our “Ask Drone Girl” series is about American-made drones for surveying orchards. If you have a question for Drone Girl, contact her here.
My coworker and I are trying to develop a program for surveying acorns in our oak orchards. For now, we fly the Matrice M300 RTK using the DJI Zenmuse P1 Full-frame 45MP Photogrammetry Camera. The Zenmuse H20N just wasn’t sharp enough for us to make the acorns out.We have mapped a couple of large orchards that we have to divide into three or four sections to be able to handle battery swaps. We usually can fly a whole orchard in 20-minute chunks, using 4 sets of batteries.
We are having to replace our DJI drones with drones made in the USA. I wonder if two or three drones and cameras pop into your head if I tell you that we have to see green acorns on green tree crowns in the fall to be able to count them.
Surveying acorns in oak orchards? That’s the kind of niche, high-impact application that just screams “the future of drones is here.”
You’re absolutely right to be thinking carefully about your imaging payload—green-on-green in a forest canopy is no joke, especially when your targets are as tiny (and well-camouflaged) as acorns.
It’s also unfortunate that you may no longer be able to use the Zenmuse P1. It’s a full-frame, 45MP photogrammetry powerhouse that has long set the gold standard for high-resolution aerial mapping—especially in forestry and agriculture. The P1’s crisp detail really seems hard to beat for pinpointing small, camouflaged objects like acorns in dense canopy.
I’m guessing you’re amongst those facing pushback in using either DJI or other Chinese-made drones. Federal agencies and programs tied to U.S. infrastructure or defense have put many operators in the difficult position of having to swap out best-in-class tech for alternatives that don’t always offer an equal performance-to-cost ratio.
In situations where the performance tends to match those of DJI’s products (and my recommendations do), the cost is far higher. Hopefully your work is well-funded.
So what should you do? Though much more expensive, here are my best USA-made alternatives to the Matrice 300 RTK + P1 combo:
Why it might be a good fit: The Alta X is Blue UAS-approved, ultra-stable, and can carry heavy, high-end imaging payloads like the 61MP Sony Alpha series (budget pick) or Phase One’s 100MP iXM sensor (upgrade pick). You’ll need a gimbal to match (like Freefly’s Movi Pro or Gremsy), but you’re looking at insane resolution—perfect for counting acorns mid-canopy.
Pros: Customizable, reliable, American-made, payload flexibility, proven in forestry and precision ag
Cons: Expensive (it’s $19,000 before the Gimbal or camera), requires integration work, larger footprint. If you pair it with a Sony Alpha camera, note that it won’t adhere to your American-made standards (though I wasn’t sure if you were referring to just the drone with that).
Why it might be a good fit: Inspired Flight is also Blue UAS-listed, and the IF1200A is a direct Matrice-class swap—RTK-compatible, rugged, and capable of carrying full-frame Sony sensors. The RX1R II doesn’t get as much love these days, but it’s lightweight and razor sharp, which might give you the visual edge needed to spot green-on-green objects.
Pros: Similar flight time and size to your M300 setup, American-made, good payload options
Cons: Limited payload plug-and-play support compared to DJI, fewer software ecosystem tools. and again, the cost is massive at $34,000 (and that’s just for the drone).
Why it might be a good fit: The SkyRanger is battle-tested (military and forestry alike), and while its default payloads may not match the P1 in raw resolution, Teledyne’s new optical payloads are catching up. It’s a closed system, but still reliable. If you go with this option, try to work with them directly to see if it can be customized to your specific data resolution needs.
Pros: Secure, durable, made for complex aerial survey missions
Cons: Pricey, less flexibility in sensor selection
How to choose the best American-made drones for surveying orchards
It’s tough to beat your current setup, but there are at least some good American drone companies out there that might serve what you’re looking for.
The tl;dr here: if you’re mid-transition away from DJI (ugh, I know many other readers feel your pain as well), and want to keep similar workflows, the Inspired Flight route might be the smoothest. But if you’re open to custom rigs and want absolutely uncompromising image quality, Alta X + Sony/Phase One still delivers what you need — and won’t cost as much as the Inspired Flight.
– Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. and GE Aerospace have announced a formal teaming agreement to advance propulsion technologies for the next generation of affordable unmanned aerial systems and Collaborative Combat Aircraft-type (CCA-type) aircraft. Eric DeMarco, President and CEO of Kratos, said, “Kratos’ strategically important Teaming Agreement with GE Aerospace continues to rapidly advance […]
One of Russia’s propaganda channels shared a video claiming to show “the first shots of a combat laser from a mobile air defense unit,” allegedly used by the so-called Kochevnik special forces unit. russians talk about “new threats” that “forced them to look for alternative methods of counteraction.” These methods include combat lasers designed to […]
French company Elistair, specialised in tethered drones, has announced its participation in the European project SMAUG (Smart Maritime And Underwater Guardian). This collaborative program, funded by the European Union with nearly €6 million, brings together 21 partners from 7 countries around a common goal: strengthening surveillance and protection of sensitive port and maritime areas. An […]
The crew of a Merlin helicopter turned off their radar – and instead relied on a drone and its controllers to close in on ‘suspect’ vessels in the Atlantic. It’s the first time the Royal Navy has used a drone to help direct the actions of crewed aircraft and helps lay the foundations for the […]
