New battery platform supports national security with lightweight, long-endurance energy systems for defense UAVs Lyten Prioritizes U.S. Defense Needs with Lightweight Battery Innovation Lyten, a California-based battery manufacturer and supermaterial developer, has announced a new initiative to support U.S. national security through the production of next-generation lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries for drones. The company is allocating […]
Drone light shows have exploded in popularity — from major state fairs to marriage proposals — but have you ever wondered who’s behind the scenes making those flying pixels dance? Meet Anna Klemmer, a freelance drone show designer who works as a chief pilot at Skyworx.
In an interview with The Drone Girl (watch the full conversation embedded below!), Klemmer shared her journey into the world of drone shows — a path that started not with aviation, but with art.
“I studied design and animation in school,” Klemmer said. “Drone shows were a natural fit because they’re this intersection of technology and the arts.”
Klemmer has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Colorado State University. Initially hired as a designer, creating animations for drone formations, Klemmer quickly became fascinated with the piloting side of the operation. She transitioned into becoming a chief pilot, overseeing everything from pre-show setup to the real-time coordination of hundreds of drones — sometimes all controlled by a single computer.
Running a drone show: behind the scenes
The Skyworx drone show at Palm Springs Drone Fest 2025. (Photo by Sally French)
At a typical show, Klemmer is responsible for managing the team, ensuring safety protocols are in place, and operating the computer system that controls the drones. Safety is paramount, especially with large shows involving 500 drones, like the one Klemmer piloted during this interview.
That was for the opening night of Palm Springs Drone Fest 2025, a fan event that brought together all sorts of facets of drones including drone soccer and orb racing into an epic air show that culminated in a traditional light show.
“We really take into account our safety areas,” she said. “We have people all over making sure the whole safety zone is secure, and the audience is a safe distance away.”
With around 60 drone shows under her belt, Klemmer said one of her favorite experiences was putting on a light show at the Colorado State Fair in Pueblo.
“There were monster trucks, a destruction derby — just a really cool, high-energy event to tie a drone show into,” she said.
What it takes to land a job as a drone show pilot
The Skyworx drone show at Palm Springs Drone Fest 2025. (Photo by Sally French)
Thinking about becoming a drone show pilot yourself? Klemmer says adaptability and confidence are key.
“You need to be a quick learner and really willing to adapt to any situation,” she said.
Interestingly, Klemmer doesn’t fly drones recreationally — no FPV racing, no drone photography on the side. Her entire drone career is focused on choreographed light shows, which just makes her artistic approach even more unique.
But career opportunities are definitely there — especially as drone shows become more accessible and mainstream. Klemmer says she sees them expanding far beyond just concerts and major events.
“We’re starting to see them a lot at bigger corporate events, weddings, even engagements,” she said. “When there’s people gathering, there’s going to be drone light shows.”
The UK’s Military Aviation Authority has issued a Military Type Certificate to the Royal Air Force’s Protector RG Mk1 unmanned aircraft, also designated the MQ-9B, certifying that it has passed a rigorous airworthiness assessment and verifying it’s safe to operate without geographic restrictions, including over populous areas. This April 29 decision was a first-of-its-kind milestone […]
Four uncrewed surface vehicles to enhance maritime surveillance and regional security in Northern Europe The Danish Armed Forces will begin operational testing of four Saildrone Voyager uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) in Danish waters starting in June 2025. The initiative marks a new chapter in Denmark’s efforts to expand its maritime surveillance capabilities using sustainable and […]
In this episode: Mike Fraietta, Co-Founder of Gargoyle Systems, speaks with host Randy Goers about the company’s Drone Intelligence Network, and how individual asset managers can protect against the growing threat of drone-enabled crime. He also shares insights from his recent visit to the Russia-Ukraine border, where he studied evolving “dark” drones, counter-drone technology, and […]
DRONELIFE speaks with Liz Forro on the Commercial Drone Alliance’s 2025 goals for federal policy and industry growth By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill The year 2025 is ramping up to be a critical year for the commercial drone industry as the FAA considers moving forward on the long-awaited beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) […]
Global use of agricultural drones has skyrocketed — up 90% since 2020, with 400,000 drones now in use worldwide. That’s according to DJI Agriculture’s just-released 2025 Agricultural Drone Industry Insight Report, which also recorded agricultural done use across 100 countries.
Drone use on that scale suggests that companies now no longer see drones as merely a test project for R&D teams, but rather a sort of technology that’s making a transformative shift in agricultural practices. From coffee fields in Brazil to vineyards in Romania, drones are proving they’re more than just high-tech novelties — they’re essential farm tools.
Here are some of the most surprising figures from DJI’s 2025 Agricultural Drone Industry Insight Report:
400,000 agricultural drones were in use by the end of 2024 — up 90% from just four years earlier.
These drones are operated by 400,000 trained pilots, many of whom are young people and women, thanks to more accessible training programs.
Agricultural drones are now used to treat 300 crop types in 100 countries.
Drone-powered farming has saved an estimated 222 million tons of water.
The shift to drones has also reduced carbon emissions by 30.87 tons.
A look at the 2025 agricultural drone market
Estimates suggest that the agricultural drone market, valued at approximately $2.74 billion in 2024, is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25.0% from 2025 to 2030.
While DJI remains a dominant player, holding an estimated 70% global market share as of 2024, other companies are making significant strides. For instance, XAG’s P100 agricultural drone has gained traction in various markets, and Parrot’s Bluegrass series offers versatile solutions for crop monitoring and analysis.
Why the 2025 agricultural drone market is suddenly exploding
More favorable policy developments and regulatory landscapes
A huge factor in the expansion of drone usage in agriculture? ore accommodating policies from aviation authorities worldwide.
Countries like Argentina and Spain are easing restrictions and streamlining approvals for drone use in agriculture. Brazil has standardized pilot training, making it easier than ever to get certified to fly legally.
In the United States, however, the regulatory environment presents challenges. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is in the process of developing Part 108, a regulation aimed at standardizing Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations. This regulation is anticipated to introduce requirements such as detect-and-avoid technology and specific pilot certifications.
Despite these efforts, the FAA has yet to finalize Part 108, leading to a backlog of over 1,200 pilot applications in the first half of 2024. This delay has resulted in some operators flying without proper certification, raising safety and legal concerns.
Innovations in agricultural drone technology
The DJI AGRAS T50.
DJI first began investing in research and development for the advancement of spray drones way back in 2012. By 2015, DJI formalized its agricultural division, creating a team within the company called DJI Agriculture.
And since then, the tech innovation has exploded. For example, one of DJI’s breakthroughs was when it optimized nozzle designs and airflow dynamics in its drones to minimize pesticide drift, a common issue in aerial spraying.
In practice, that means spray drones can now deliver pesticides and fertilizers with greater precision, reducing waste and off-target contamination. DJI shared an example of coffee farms in Brazil, where DJI’s Agras T40 and T50 drones have reduced operational costs by up to 70% compared to manual spraying. Similarly, a vineyard owner in Romania managed to cut chemical usage by half and reduced spraying time from several days to just 2.5 hours.
Increased care for the environment
The benefits of drones extends beyond cutting back on chemical usage. Drones have also made it possible to better conserve water. For example, a case study on drones in banana cultivation found that banana farmers who used drones were able to drop their water usage by 90% annually, and decrease their application of fungicides and pesticides has decreased by 40%, according to DJI’s 2025 agricultural drone report.
Challenges for the 2025 agricultural drone market — and the road ahead
That new DJI report signals that we’re just now entering the early majority adoption phase of agricultural drones. But despite the promising outlook, challenges remain.
Regulatory hurdles, particularly in the U.S., need to be addressed to facilitate broader adoption. The finalization of Part 108 is crucial for enabling routine BVLOS operations, which are essential for large-scale agricultural applications.
Moreover, concerns over data security and the dominance of Chinese manufacturers like DJI have sparked debates about the need for diversification in the drone supply chain.
And then there are concerns about availability, particularly has DJI dominates the market of agricultural drones. Many customers fear that new tariffs on products imported into the U.S. could drive up the cost of all sorts of drones — both those made internationally and those made in America.
That’s because even American-made drones typically rely on products made in other countries for at least some parts, whether that’s a simple screw or plastic piece, or a full computer. For example, the eBee X from AgEagle Aerial Systems is largely made in Switzerland, despite AgEagle itself being based in Kansas.
For its part, DJI says it isn’t backing down on agricultural drone production.
“Agricultural drones have become essential farm equipment around the world,” Yuan Zhang, Head of Global Sales at DJI Agriculture. “As the industry continues to mature globally, DJI Agriculture remains steadfast in our mission to help farmers improve efficiency and sustainably increase their yields through innovative drone technology.”
– Teledyne FLIR Defense, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated, has announced a number of upgrades to its Black Hornet 4 Personal Reconnaissance System to further boost operational effectiveness for warfighters. The enhanced features are being showcased at the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Week annual conference at the Tampa Convention Center, May 6 to May 8. […]
U.S. defense technology company Anduril Industries has revealed large-scale production of its new Roadrunner loitering interceptor, a reusable drone designed to counter aerial threats with rapid-launch capabilities. The company shared an image across its social media platforms showing a substantial number of serially produced Roadrunner units, signaling that the system is moving beyond development into […]
Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and European defence group MBDA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will pave the way for joint efforts to explore innovative and low-cost solutions for countering drone threats. The announcement was made on the sidelines of IMDEX Asia. The partnership underscores a shared commitment from DSTA […]
