On March 5 Epirus announced an oversubscribed $250 million Series D fundraising round, bringing the company’s total venture funding to more than $550 million and positioning the company to scale production of its Leonidas product line to meet growing global demand. Leonidas is a scalable solid-state, high-energy, high-power microwave (HPM) technology for counter-electronics applications that […]
Italian firearms manufacturer Beretta Defense Technologies has promoted its latest innovation in counter-drone defence: the M4 A.I. Drone Guardian shotgun. Developed to address the growing threat of first-person view (FPV) drones in modern warfare, the shotgun offers a cost-effective and adaptable solution for security forces and military personnel. As noted by the company, the M4 […]
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on March 6th.between Baykar Technologies and Leonardo for the development of unmanned technologies. The agreement is based on the industrial synergies and complementarities of the two companies in the unmanned sector. The scope of the Joint Venture, based in Italy, includes the design, development, production, and maintenance of […]
Soar above the historic Edinburgh Castle and the charming Medieval Old Town, where Scotland’s rich heritage meets breathtaking architecture. A must-see aerial perspective of one of the UK’s most iconic landmarks!
Perfect for travel vlogs, documentaries, or your next creative project.
New Pilot Program to Evaluate Commuter Demand and eVTOL Readiness Blade Air Mobility, Inc. (Nasdaq: BLDE) and Skyports Infrastructure have announced a partnership to expand Blade’s existing by-the-seat helicopter transfer service. The pilot program will connect the Downtown Manhattan Heliport with John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), offering a faster travel option for commuters and […]
In this episode of Weekly Wings, Paul Rossi and Terry Neff dive into the latest developments in drone technology, global policy, and market shifts. They start by analyzing BYD’s groundbreaking EV-drone integration, where the world’s largest EV manufacturer has partnered with DJI to incorporate a docking system for autonomous drones in its vehicles. They debate the practicality of this […]
Drone mapping technology has advanced significantly in recent years, with Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) and Post-Processed Kinematic (PPK) positioning emerging as game-changing technologies. These methods enhance mapping accuracy and efficiency, reducing reliance on traditional Ground Control Points (GCPs). SimActive, a leading provider of photogrammetry software, offers powerful tools for geospatial professionals, including its flagship product, Correlator3D. […]
DRONELIFE is honored to feature this op-ed from Oivier Defawe, Director at VillageReach, an organization pioneering the integration of drones into public health. DRONELIFE neither makes nor accepts payment for guest posts. All images credit Henry Sampangi Sanyulye, used with permission. Unlocking Africa’s Skies: Bridging the Infrastructure Gap with Drones By Olivier Defawe Africa’s infrastructure […]
If you’ve been eyeing a new drone but hesitated to pull the trigger, you’re not alone. Inflation has been squeezing wallets, concerns about tariffs on Chinese drones and a rocky stock market has left many consumers wary of big-ticket purchases. Luckily, spring 2025 drone deals are still popping up.
Whether you’re a first-time flyer or an experienced pilot looking to upgrade, this guide will help you navigate the best spring 2025 drone deals I’ve seen so far.
$220 off the HOVERAir X1 Self-Flying Camera Drone (plus free gift!)
The HoverAir X1 drone. (Photo by Caroline Dobrez)
The HOVERAir X1 is a lightweight, foldable drone. It’s a nice alternative to DJI drones, such as the DJI Neo or the newer DJI Flip. The HOVERAir X1 is the older model to the spiffier HOVERAir X1 PROMAX and HOVERAir X1 PRO drones, which launched in summer 2024, and this deal has the original at as much as $220 off. Plus, they’re throwing in a free PU case!
Wow, this is an amazing deal on the DJI Osmo Action 4 Essential Comb. Normally $289, it’s on sale for 27% off, bringing the price down to just $209.
The Osmo 4 Essential Combo is a pared down version of another configuration, the Standard Combo. It includes all the same accessories except for one: the Osmo Action Curved Adhesive Base. Photographers typically use the Osmo Action Curved Adhesive Base for mounting Osmo to something like a bike or ski/snowboard helmet. If those sports aren’t your thing, then going for the Essential Combo affords you some amazing savings.
Part 107 course discounts
The job market is tough right now, but why not work for yourself? In order to legally make money in drones in the U.S., you must hold a Part 107 certificate, which you can earn by passing the Part 107 test. I recommend most people study by enrolling in an online course — affording you the convenience to learn at your own pace (no commute need).
Happily, a few companies have hooked my readers up with exclusive discount codes to make this whole quest a little more affordable. Those are:
Drone Pilot Ground School: They offers a fantastic online training course with practice tests and repeatable videos. In fact, I used them to study for my test — and I passed on my first time — so I can guarantee it’s good! Use coupon code DroneGirl100 to get $100 off.
Drone Launch Academy: The people behind Drone Launch Academy are some of the nicest people in the drone industry — and the smartest! They offer a great online training course led by FAA-certified Advanced Ground Instructor David Young. Use coupon code DroneGirl50 or this link to get $50 off.
Mapping course discounts
Speaking of Drone Launch Academy, they are offering a discount on their mapping course, too. After all, merely being Part 107 certified is typically not enough to land a high-paying job in drones. Honestly, the market is super saturated with wedding photographers and real estate photographers using drones. The real money is with specializations like photogrammetry and mapping.
Drone Launch Academy’s Drone Mapping And Modeling Fundamentals course is key to launching that career, covering advanced topics like Nadir vs. oblique imagery, GSD, GeoTIFF files and .SHIP files, automated flight plans and creating reports.
Anduril Federal, a Division of Anduril Industries Inc., Washington, D.C., is awarded a $642,210,000 firm-fixed-price/cost-plus-fixed-fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract to deliver, install, and sustain Installation-Counter small Unmanned Aircraft Systems. The awardee will be awarded its first order for system procurement, site survey, program management and engineering services, physical configuration audit, new equipment training immediately following contract award. […]
On March 5 Epirus announced an oversubscribed $250 million Series D fundraising round, bringing the company’s total venture funding to more than $550 million and positioning the company to scale production of its Leonidas product line to meet growing global demand. Leonidas is a scalable solid-state, high-energy, high-power microwave (HPM) technology for counter-electronics applications that […]
Perfect for travel vlogs, documentaries, or your next creative project.
