Drone News
Drone racing, competitions, military and defense, and industry news. We summarize each story in our own words and link to the original publisher, who owns the reporting.
Latest stories
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Drone Shows
10,183-Drone Dragon Sets Two Guinness World Records in Texas
Sky Elements and Damoda America flew a dragon made of 10,183 drones over Blue Ridge, Texas, on September 28. Guinness counts it as the largest aerial display of a mythical creature. The team also set the record for the most drones launched in a week: 71,207 across seven shows from September 27 to 30. Original […]
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Industry & Rules
Amazon Starts Drone Deliveries in Chicago’s South Suburbs
Amazon has started drone deliveries from its fulfillment center in Markham, Illinois, to Chicago’s south suburbs, including Homewood. NBC 5 Chicago reported the launch on October 26. The flights use Amazon’s MK30, which Amazon says carries up to 5 lb as far as 8 miles. The FAA’s public file for the Chicago area still shows […]
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Industry & Rules
New York’s New Drone Law: Hobby Exemption Stops at 249.5 Grams
New York’s Penal Law Article 280, “unlawful use of a drone,” has been in force since August 25. It bars flying within 500 feet of protected sites such as schools, police and fire stations, airports, prisons, critical infrastructure and large events. A violation is a class A misdemeanor. Part 107 pilots who follow all federal, […]
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Industry & Rules
FCC Asks for Input on Satellite Links for Drones
The FCC wants to know whether its satellite communications rules fit drones. The question is part of its “Space Modernization for the 21st Century” proceeding, and no specific new rules have been proposed yet. The FCC says drones can already use some satellite services under existing rules, because a drone linked to an authorized satellite […]
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Products & Firmware
Original DJI Avata Gets Its First Firmware Update Since 2023
The original DJI Avata received firmware v01.06.0000, its first update since December 2023. Firmware for the Goggles 2, Goggles Integra, RC Motion 2 and FPV Remote Controller 2 changed as well. The release notes are dated October 20. The only changelog item is “fixed some known issues,” with no details. DJI warns that the update […]
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Products & Firmware
DJI Avata 360 Firmware Adds Waypoint Flight and FocusTrack Zoom
DJI has released firmware v01.00.0800 for the Avata 360, along with v01.00.0900 for the DJI RC Pro 2 controller. DJI announced the update on October 21. The headline feature is Waypoint Flight. Pilots plan a route on a map, tie it to a point of interest, and the drone repeats the same camera move. The […]
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Industry & Rules
Cities turn to zoning as drone delivery expands
With the FAA in charge of airspace, cities in Colorado and Oregon are using zoning rules to control where delivery hubs can operate on the ground.
Source: DroneLife · Read the full story → -
Military & Defense
Stellios Technologies launches with high-power microwave counter-drone systems
The Austin-based startup came out of stealth with a $5 million pre-seed round and purchase orders for microwave systems aimed at counter-drone defense.
Source: DroneLife · Read the full story → -
Military & Defense
Elistair adds tethered power for the Parrot ANAFI UKR
A new tether module powers Parrot's ANAFI UKR micro-drone from the ground, letting it stay aloft for long surveillance missions without battery swaps.
Source: DroneLife · Read the full story → -
Industry & Rules
Matternet extends London hospital drone deliveries to Great Ormond Street
Drones now carry urgent medical samples from the children's hospital to laboratories as part of a growing NHS network.
Source: DroneLife · Read the full story → -
Industry & Rules
New border flight restriction raises questions for commercial drone operators
A year-long restriction bars unapproved drone flights within one nautical mile of the U.S.-Mexico border, and industry groups want clearer approval rules.
Source: DroneLife · Read the full story → -
Industry & Rules
China revises its drone export controls
Updated technical criteria for drones and components take effect November 18, alongside simplified licensing for eligible exporters.
Source: DroneLife · Read the full story → -
Military & Defense
Ukrainian brigade reports first drone evacuation of a wounded soldier
A modified heavy-lift hexacopter carried a wounded soldier from the front line when minefields and enemy drones made ground evacuation too risky.
Source: DroneLife · Read the full story → -
Racing & Competitions
MultiGP Championship 2026 wraps up in the Dallas area
MultiGP's Open-class championship ran October 15–17 near Dallas, with an international field and a $10,000 cash prize pool for the top four.
Source: MultiGP · Read the full story → -
Racing & Competitions
South Korean pilots finish first and second at the World Drone Cup
Choi Won-kyun won the 32-pilot FPV World Drone Cup at Teknofest Southeast in Şanlıurfa, Türkiye, with Kim Min-jae in second.
Source: Türkiye Today · Read the full story → -
Racing & Competitions
MultiGP International Open brings about 200 pilots to Muncie
Racers from 13 countries flew eight tracks at the Academy of Model Aeronautics headquarters in Indiana, with free entry for spectators.
Source: Muncie Journal · Read the full story →