News

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… Read more: Axon Brings Sky-Hero Tactical Robotics Suite to U.S. Public Safety Agencies

$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… Read more: Near Earth Autonomy to Deliver Miniaturized Autonomous Flight Systems for U.S. Marine Corps Resupply Drones

Avtrain and ANRA Technologies Partner to Support UK Operators with Automated Risk Assessment Platform Avtrain and ANRA Technologies UK Ltd have announced the launch of SORA-Mate, an automated risk assessment platform designed to help UK drone operators comply with the new SORA 2.5 regulations. This announcement comes as the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) implements… Read more: SORA-Mate Launches in UK: New Tool Simplifies Drone Compliance for SORA 2.5

CAPSTONE VTOL UAS aims to replace manned helicopters for defense and humanitarian mission Certo Secures Funding for Advanced Drone Development Certo Aerospace Ltd, a British aerospace company based in Somerset, has announced the successful raise of over £3 million in new capital through an equity placement. The company will use the funds to accelerate the… Read more: Certo Aerospace Raises £3M to Accelerate UK Flight Trials of Large Uncrewed Helicopters

Nearly 2,000 public safety professionals gathered in Phoenix for AXON Week 2025, where the conversation focused on the future of drones—not just as emergency tools, but as essential city infrastructure. AXON, a global leader in public safety technology, highlighted its Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs and the expanded capabilities brought by its 2024 acquisition… Read more: Drones as City Infrastructure: AXON, Skydio, and the Next Leap for Drone in a Box Technology

Despite FAA Warnings, New Legislation Aims to Extend Drone Privacy Laws and Allow “Reasonable Force” to Remove Unauthorized UAVs by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb Florida drone pilots may have to be more careful about flying over and around populated areas as a proposed bill moves through the Florida Senate that would allow homeowners… Read more: Florida Bill Proposes Homeowners Could Use Force Against Drones Over Private Property

South Korean AI drone company partners with Red Cat to support the Pentagon’s Replicator program and expand U.S. defense market presence. by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb South Korean drone AI company Nearthlab recently announced the signing of a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with San Juan, Puerto Rico-based Red Cat Holdings, Inc. a drone… Read more: Nearthlab Joins Red Cat Futures Initiative to Advance U.S. Defense Drone Innovation

AXON Week 2025, held in Phoenix from May 22–25, brought together nearly 2,000 public safety professionals to explore the latest in technology for first responders. AXON, a global leader in public safety innovation, showcased its Drone as First Responder (DFR) program and the expanded capabilities made possible by its 2024 acquisition of Dedrone, a company… Read more: AXON Week 2025: DedroneBeyond and DFR, Expanding BVLOS Operations

Axon Week 2025, held in Phoenix from April 22–25, convened nearly 2,000 public safety professionals to explore how integrated technology can save lives and build safer communities. The event—merging Axon Accelerate and TaserCon—centered on the theme of unified awareness, with keynote speakers emphasizing that technology, when paired with transparency and responsible innovation, serves as a… Read more: Axon Week 2025: Unified Awareness and Responsible Innovation Drive Drone Integration for Public Safety

Nepali drone company Airlift uses DJI technology to deliver oxygen, scout routes, and remove waste—making Everest expeditions safer for sherpas and climbers. by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb A Safer Way to Scale the World’s Tallest Peak After testing concluded last year, Nepali drone company Airlift will begin deliveries of necessary supplies to Everest… Read more: Drones Take Flight on Everest: Airlift Launches Supply Missions to High-Altitude Camps

Visitors Experience the Future of Urban Air Mobility with Life-Size Model and Boarding Opportunity SkyDrive Inc., a leading Japanese eVTOL (electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing) aircraft manufacturer, has revealed a full-scale mockup of its SKYDRIVE SD-05 model to the public for the first time at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai. The display is part of the… Read more: SkyDrive Unveils Full-Scale Mockup of SD-05 eVTOL at Expo 2025 Osaka

As drone operations scale in complexity and scope across industries, the need for seamless, reliable team communication becomes critical. Sonetics wireless headset systems are emerging as a key solution, offering robust features that address the specific challenges of training, large-scale operations, tactical missions, and logistics support. Advanced Communication for Demanding Environments Sonetics headsets are engineered… Read more: Clear Communication, Safer Skies: Sonetics Wireless Headsets Advance Drone Operations

First responders warn that proposed country-of-origin drone ban could hinder life-saving operations and increase costs for Texas agencies. By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill More than a dozen witnesses representing police, fire and emergency response agencies, spoke out recently against a bill pending in the Texas state legislature that could ban the purchase by government… Read more: Texas considers ban on Chinese drones for state agencies

Formation of Public Safety Advisory Board Drone solutions developer Draganfly Inc. recently announced the formation of its Public Safety Advisory Board, reinforcing its commitment to the growing law enforcement and public safety sector. Global public safety expert and Homeland Security advisor Paul Goldenberg will serve as the inaugural Chair of the Board. Leadership by Homeland… Read more: Draganfly Expands Focus on Public Safety Market with New Advisory Board Led by Homeland Security Expert

Milestones clear the way for national expansion of autonomous drone delivery in the U.S. Dayton-based drone logistics company DEXA (Drone Express) has reached two major milestones in its mission to bring autonomous drone delivery to consumers across the United States. The company announced that it has received FAA Part 135 Air Carrier Certification and that… Read more: DEXA Earns FAA Part 135 Certification and S-1 Drone Approval

The British Army has taken a major step forward in counter-drone technology by successfully testing a new radio-wave weapon designed to knock out swarms of drones. In a recent trial, soldiers used the Radiofrequency Directed Energy Weapon (RF DEW) to neutralize over 100 drones, including two swarms in a single engagement—the largest such exercise ever… Read more: British Army Zaps Drone Swarms With Radio-Wave Weapon in Historic Test

Acquisition supports healthcare, logistics, and infrastructure inspection across rural and remote region Skyports Expands Global Footprint with Australian Entry Skyports Drone Services, a global leader in drone delivery and inspection, has announced the acquisition of Redbird Aero, a top large cargo drone operator in Australia. This move marks Skyports’ official entry into the Australian market… Read more: Skyports Drone Services Acquires Redbird Aero, Launches Operations in Australia

Company takes major step toward a fully domestic battery supply chain in response to geopolitical and supply chain pressures Lyten Strengthens U.S. Battery Industry with Domestic Lithium-Metal Production Lyten, a California-based supermaterial company, has announced the production of the first U.S.-made battery grade lithium-metal foil using domestic lithium alloys and raw materials. This achievement marks… Read more: Lyten Begins U.S. Production of Lithium-Metal Foil for Next-Gen Batteries

The drone industry is currently undergoing a clear process of maturation, a trend that recent mergers and acquisitions (M&A) strongly support. Over the past six months, several significant deals have taken place, reflecting a shift toward larger, more integrated companies that are building comprehensive solutions for various sectors such as public safety, logistics, and defense.… Read more: The Drone Industry’s Path Toward Maturity

Public Flight Showcases Personal Air Mobility at Osaka’s Smart Mobility Expo LIFT Aircraft Takes Flight in Osaka LIFT Aircraft marked a major milestone this week with a public demonstration of its HEXA aircraft at the World Expo 2025 in Osaka, Japan. The HEXA flight at World Expo 2025 took place at the specially built “EXPO… Read more: LIFT Aircraft Demonstrates HEXA eVTOL at World Expo 2025