• Boeing receives $12.68 million investment to update the MQ-25's RF blanker, encrypted storage, and mission computer security, running through November 2029
• The change is a recent one: the Navy's April 2026 acquisition report lists refueling as the MQ-25's primary mission and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) as secondary, with no electronic warfare requirement and only two key performance parameters
• An RF blanker is electromagnetic compatibility hardware that stops an aircraft's own transmitters from deafening its receivers, allowing it to conduct EW more effectively

A single line buried in a recent US Department of War contract announcement is being read across multiple channels as the Navy's first carrier-based drone acquiring multiple electronic warfare upgrades.

The details, however, seem to focus on the defensive side of the spectrum and include a Radio Frequency Blanker Unit and an updated Encrypted Mass Storage System carrying an embedded Data Transfer System.

The modification also provides an option for deficiency analysis and corrections, supporting security assessments of the aircraft's Mission Management System Computer.

Why do these upgrades matter?

The most important upgrade for the MQ-25 Stingray, arguably, is its RF Blanker. An RF blanker is electromagnetic compatibility equipment. When an aircraft carries several transmitters and sensitive receivers within a few meters of each other, a transmitter firing at full power can deafen or damage a nearby receiver operating in an overlapping band.

A blanker fixes that by taking a blanking request from each transmitter and issuing a suppression pulse to the affected receivers for the duration of the transmission, as GE Aerospace describes. For a drone that could also house sophisticated EW capabilities in the future, this is essentially a prerequisite.

The Navy's Modernized Selected Acquisition Report dated April 21, 2026, offers a relatively narrow scope for the drone for now; however, it states that the MQ-25 conducts aerial refueling as its primary mission and provides Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance capability as a secondary mission.

It is fairly possible that the upgrades are purely defensive, to prevent rogue players from accessing the drone or knocking it offline with relative ease. In its current capacity, the MQ-25 serves as an unmanned aerial refueling drone for the US Navy, offering capabilities including the ability to carry roughly 14,000 to 16,000 pounds of fuel at a combat radius of 500 nautical miles.

This could change even as the US continues hardening its EW offerings and prepares for potential hostile actors to have the same capabilities it currently harbors. For now, the $12 million invested in what is a $19 billion program is essentially a rounding error at the end of the day.

This sudden investment may signal more to come: Boeing has already pitched a land-based MQ-25 variant with external pylons and marketing language about ISR, electronic warfare, and airborne early warning roles, though the aircraft has no customer yet.

Potensic Atom 3: One-minute review

Many have tried and failed to produce drones to rival DJI's, but the Potensic Atom 3 is a DJI drone alternative that's actually worth considering — and not just on paper, but in actual flight conditions.

The folding quadcopter impresses with level 5 wind resistance and a 10% bigger battery than its predecessor, the Atom 2, making for robust flight performance even in tricky conditions. It's gargantuan RC PTD 2 touchscreen controller (in the pricier bundle) feels top-drawer, too.

Its 3-axis gimbal camera isn't half-bad, either — being equipped with a 1/1.3-inch sensor and offering 4K video up to 60fps in standard, HDR or Log profiles, slow-motion recording, and up to 50MP stills in RAW and JPEG.

The larger sensor, higher 4K video frame rates and bitrates, plus improved battery life and transmission range are all meaningful upgrades on the Atom 2, and make the Atom 3 a compelling DJI Mini rival, especially given Potensic's competitive pricing.

Despite a few handling issues (which I'll get into below), the Atom 3 could have pinched top spot in our beginner drones guide... six months ago. The bad news for Potensic is that the DJI Lito X1 is now in the picture, raising the bar for any would-be challengers.

For practically the same money, the Lito X1 is the slightly more polished drone overall — and it features object sensing, which the Atom 3 lacks, delivering this incredibly useful feature at a new-low price point (compared to DJI's Mini 5 Pro). Ultimately, the Lito X1 gives consumers so much for the money that the fight here feels unfair.

Would I still recommend the Atom 3? Absolutely. It's way better than the Ruko U11Mini 4K, which we recently tested, and the next best thing for consumers who don't want, or can't buy, a DJI drone (US pricing is displayed on the Potensic website, suggesting it could become available there, unlike new DJI products, but currently Potensic is locked out of the US too). Ultimately, Potensic's best drone yet is a highly capable beginner option — but it remains one big step behind the DJI competition.

Potensic Atom 3: Price and availability

• Priced from $429.99 / £339.99
• Touchscreen RC3 controller bundle costs $424.99 / £499
• Available now direct from Potensic and via Amazon; not available in Australia at launch

The Potensic Atom 3 is available now directly through Potensic's website and via Amazon in the UK. There's US pricing on the Potensic site, but the company told me the Atom 3 is not available there, while it's yet to hit stores in Australia.

Pricing varies considerably depending on the region and the bundle. In the UK, the base package costs £339.99, with the price rising to £579.99 for the Fly More Combo with RC PTD 2 bundle (which I tested), which includes two additional batteries, a charging hub, case, and the touchscreen RC PTD 2 controller in place of the standard smartphone-based remote.

US pricing starts at $429.99, while the Fly More Combo, which includes the standard smartphone-based remote, costs $549.99. At the time of writing only two of the five bundles have pricing — none of which include bundles with the touchscreen RC PTD 2 controller. However, despite pricing being on the Potensic site, the drone is not available there "due to FCC regulations", Potensic told me, and that "our team is actively working on the relevant certification to make it available in the future".

At the time of writing, the Potensic Atom 3 is not available in Australia, but Potensic does have a dedicated Australia website which is the best place to check for future availability.

DJI's Lito X1 is the Atom 3's obvious rival, and it costs from £359 at Amazon UK, so just a little extra money gets you that drone's massively useful object-sensing feature. However, like other DJI drones, the Lito X1 is not available to buy in the US.

• Price score: 4/5

Potensic Atom 3: Specs

Potensic Atom 3: Design and build quality

• Folding mini design, weighing under 249g
• USB-C charging and MicroSD card slot, but no internal storage
• Optional touchscreen RC PTD 2 controller is huge

The Atom 3's hard-plastic design is strikingly similar to recent models in DJI's Mini and Lito series of sub-250g folding quadcopter drones. It's a familiar formula — the drone folds down to a coat pocket-able size and, like most beginner models, weighs under 249g. Sub-250g drones are exempt from the strictest drone registration requirements in most regions, including the UK and US.

At the rear of the drone is a USB-C slot for charging the device directly, and for transferring images from the inserted microSD card. The card slot is also at the rear — there's no internal storage.

I was able to transfer files directly onto a MacBook Pro via that USB-C wired connection, but when I tried connecting the memory card directly my computer was unable to read it. Another option for file transfer is to download the desired files through the Potensic app, which is a reliable albeit slower process.

A clip-on cover ably protects the camera and gimbal mechanism when the drone isn't in use, and this is locked in place with a rear clip by stretching an elasticated band that connects the two (see above).

The Fly More Combo (with RC PTD 2 remote controller), which Potensic supplied for this review, comes with a padded zipped case that holds the drone, the charging hub with its two additional batteries, and the sizable controller. The case is notably larger than the one for the equivalent DJI Mini 4K bundle.

The touchscreen controller feels high-quality; the screen is huge, detailed, and provides a 1080p feed up to 60fps, with Potensic's latest PixSync 5.0 video transmission system boosting the range from 10km to up to 16km, and reducing latency to 150ms. In short, the on-screen feed is smooth and immersive beyond distances that you'll ever realistically fly over.

I found certain movements of the controller's joysticks a little jerky, which spoiled some of my footage, but with practice I was able to find the sweet spots of those controls for smoother moves.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Potensic Atom 3: Features and flight performance

• Battery life quoted at up to 40 minutes; the drone typically lasted around 20 minutes in real-world testing
• No object sensing, just the usual downward-facing sensors for landing and takeoff
• Decent selection of flight and tracking moves, but some have frustrating restrictions

Potensic quotes a battery life of 40 minutes for the Atom 3, which is an improvement over the Atom 2, thanks to a 10% (approx) higher-capacity 2,590mAh unit, and on paper, this performance beats the comparable DJI; however, I didn't get close to this in real-world use.

The best battery performance I got during testing was more like 25 minutes on a calm day, while in windy coastal conditions I rarely, if ever, got more than 20 minutes. The drone's level 5 wind-resistance rating (19-24mph) seems fair, though — I used the Atom 3 in such conditions, and I found flight to be impressively stable and smooth, even if headwinds further drained the battery as I fought to bring the drone home when power was low.

When battery life drops to 10%, the drone automatically initiates landing (avoiding it simply dropping from the sky), so that's something to bear in mind, especially if you're flying over risky areas such as bodies of water.

The Atom 3 has downward-facing sensors for takeoff and landing, with the useful Return to Home feature, but there are no front-, side- or rear-facing sensors, like you get with pricier drones equipped with omni-directional object sensing.

Six months ago I wouldn't have expected any more from a drone at this price point, but DJI has since brought object sensing to the much more affordable Lito X1. If Potensic is to go up a level, adding this incredibly useful feature is the logical next step for the Atom series.

Return to Home (RTH) worked flawlessly, with the drone automatically updating its position at takeoff — there's also an on-screen guide indicating where the RTH position is in relation to where the drone is in the air. It's possible to update the RTH position mid-flight, say if you move to a different location during flight and want it to land at your new location.

For regular flight, there are three speeds to choose from, with the Sport Mode being the quickest at 16m/s (horizontal), 5m/s ascent and 4m/s descent. It's not the quickest drone around, but it's zippy enough for beginner use.

I really did miss object sensing, given that I regularly fly in object-packed areas to capture dynamic footage, so I needed to be extra cautious about where I flew the drone. It is possible to get smooth and stable-looking footage, though, after much practice to get a feel for the controller's joysticks.

There's a good selection of DJI-style 'QuickShot' flight moves, which perform an automated move using a selected subject as the reference point. To do this, you drag a box over the subject using the controller's touchscreen (or your smartphone's screen if using the basic controller). There are seven automated moves in all, including pull-away, rocket and boomerang.

I was happy to see three tracking modes too: Follow, Parallel and Spotlight, each of which keep your subject in the center of the frame as they move. 'Follow' tracks your moving subject from behind (though remember there's no object sensing), while 'Parallel' does the same but from the side. 'Spotlight' simply keeps the subject central as they move around the frame.

The tracking modes are hamstrung by several frustrating limitations, while the omission of object sensing further limits where you can fly. For example, to initiate Follow, the angle of the camera needs to be pointed down a certain degree — in other words the drone needs to be quite high up.

For me, the most dynamic 'follow' footage would be from a lower angle. It's possible to override the limit in the app's menu, which requires checking the option to say that propellor guards are installed (whether in reality they are or are not). Even with the options selected to free up the drone for tracking from a lower altitude, I regularly found that the drone reset itself, reimposing the restriction.

I also found that the tracking functions gave up altogether in less-open areas, when the GNSS (GPS/ GLOSNASS / Galileo / BeiDou) signal was weak. One example was trying to get tracking video of myself biking in my local woods — the drone kept stopping just a second or so into sequences. I had no such issues in the same scenario when testing the DJI Mini 5 Pro (which also has omni-directional object sensing).

Those flight moves are great to have, but adding object sensing, and addressing the other limitations, would make them way more useful for dynamic footage.

• Flight performance score: 3.5/5

Potensic Atom 3: Image and video quality

• 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, 4K video up to 60fps
• Wider 24mm f/2.8 lens (vs 26mm f/1.8 lens of the Atom 2)
• RAW stills and flat P-Log video color profile provide editing latitude

Video and photo quality are an upgrade from the older Atom 2, with the Atom 3's camera using a larger 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor that's comparable to those in the DJI Mini 4 Pro / Lito X1, rather than the Atom 2's 1/2-inch sensor. There's also a slight change to the lens — it's a wider 24mm f/2.8, where the Atom 2 uses a 26mm lens with brighter f/1.8 aperture, which somewhat counters the sensor-based advantage the Atom 3 has.

4K video recording up to 60fps can be done the easy way or the hands-on way, using the standard or detail-rich HDR profiles for ready-to-go footage, or the flat P-Log profile, which holds more detail in highlight and shadow areas, but which requires editing to taste later.

I tried all three profiles at 30fps and 60fps, and then took P-log footage to Adobe Premiere Pro for editing and compared the footage. There are incremental image quality gains when using P-Log, but on the whole I found myself happy with the quality of HDR footage, saving myself the editing hassle.

In addition to 4K video, there's slow-motion capture up to 7x, but only in 1080p HD resolution. Meanwhile, stills are reasonable: 12.5MP as standard, or 50MP in the '8K' mode, with JPEG and RAW formats available.

Where photo quality impresses is in how much tonal depth is retained, although images benefit from a little sharpening afterwards. Another option for further increasing shadow and highlight detail is the 'bracket' mode, which combines multiple photos at different brightness values into one with a wider range of tones, but the standard mode already does a good job.

Interval and burst shooting modes are also included, while a panorama mode combines multiple images into one ultra-wide perspective that covers 180 degrees, with the drone automatically capturing multiple frames one after the other.

I'd say image quality is just about on par with the DJI Lito X1 / Mini 4 Pro, and it's clearly a cut above the recent Ruko model.

• Image and video quality score: 4.5/5

Potensic Atom 3: Testing scorecard

Should you buy the Potensic Atom 3?

Buy it if...

Don't buy it if...

Potensic Atom 3: also consider

How I tested the Potensic Atom 3

• I tested the Atom 3 in a range of conditions — in daylight and at dusk, and in both calm and windy weather
• I shot video at every available resolution and frame rate combination, and still photos in all modes
• I assessed battery life and wind resistance over several flights in various conditions

Potensic sent me the Atom 3 Fly More Combo kit with the RC PTD 2 touchscreen controller. The kit included the drone, battery hub with three batteries, controller, ND filter pack, spare propellors and a USB-C to USB-C charging cable.

I conducted multiple flights in daylight and in low light at dawn / dusk, and in both calm and particularly windy coastal conditions. I tried the various flight settings and modes, and regularly ran the three batteries down, making notes of real flight times and flight stability.

I took the same video sequences in the various color modes; standard, HDR and P-Log, and at 30fps, 60fps and 6x slow motion, and compared the 4K footage. I also tried the various photo modes, including RAW & JPEG capture, panorama and 8K (48MP) modes. I edited photos in Adobe Camera Raw and videos in Premiere Pro.

• First reviewed: September 2026
• Read more about how we test

• US senators call on Army to answer questions over disbanding of futuristic drone battalion
• Letter to General LaNeve raises concerns over US commitment to NATO allies and Ukraine
• Drones are changing the face of the battlefield, and the US could miss out on important lessons and innovations

A group of bipartisan US senators is questioning why the US Army has decided to shut down a cutting edge drone battalion that was set up to understand the shifting battlefield dynamics in Ukraine.

The 3rd battalion of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment was founded in November 2025 by former chief of staff for the US Army Gen. Randy George. But less than a year later, acting chief of staff Gen. Christopher LaNeve announced plans to disband the battalion as part of a ‘back to basics’ approach.

But there are concerns the decision could harm the US military's warfighting capacity, and its ability to learn from a rapidly evolving battlefield technology.

Senators question decision to disband drone battalion

The letter, signed by Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, Sen. Thom Tillis, Sen. Angus S. King, Jr., and Rep. Michael R. Turner, requests that Secretary of the Army Daniel Driscoll and General LaNeve provide the data and analysis behind the decision to disband the drone battalion, and also questions “if this decision was based on Department of Defense leadership guidance or was an Army-internal decision.”

“We have deep concerns that eliminating this specialized drone unit will limit our ability to learn from allies, particularly the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and hinder our efforts to modernize drone warfare at the speed necessary to compete on the modern battlefield. This specialized unit was a prudent response in a moment when the character of warfare is changing faster than a conventional formation’s ability to adapt,” the letter states.

The letter also points out that Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and US coordination with the Armed Forces of Ukraine provided the basis for the new battalion, providing a “prudent response in a moment when the character of warfare is changing faster than a conventional formation’s ability to adapt.”

Additionally, disbanding the unit “hurts our ability to acquire the critical knowledge and skills that can be gained from working with and learning from Ukrainian soldiers.”

“We respectfully request the Army brief us on how it intends to continue learning lessons on drone warfare from Ukraine in the absence of the Unmanned Assault Battalion. We request this briefing to occur no later than September 21st, 2026,” the letter concludes.

Why are drones changing the battlefield?

The conditions on the frontlines of Ukraine, often compared to the trench warfare of the Great War, have spawned a boom of specializations in drone technology.

From reconnaissance and electronic warfare to logistics and CASEVAC, drones are now essential to Ukraine’s war effort.

Numerous innovations in drone technology are keeping Ukraine in the fight. Autonomous drones capable of hunting and destroying Russian Shahed drones have been used to great effect, and supply lines across open ground are being bolstered by ground robots capable of lugging 210 kilograms cross-country.

But not all drone innovations are in Ukraine’s favor. Ukraine’s military intelligence recently warned that Russia is developing new drones designed to cut electricity cables to cause power cuts through the winter months.

So there is a valid level of concern over the disbanding of the US drone battalion. If the US army has no way to deploy or test systems within a dedicated drone unit, it may miss out on vital lessons that could shape future conflicts.

• The US Army is phasing out its relatively new drone and robot assault battalion
• The change is part of a "back-to-basics" push from acting chief of staff of the Army Gen. Christopher LaNeve
• The battalion will "refocus on its core warfighting tasks as an airborne infantry battalion" rather than continuing the development of drone capabilities

The sudden transformation of drone tactics demonstrated in the Ukraine war since 2022 has prompted the militaries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and other world powers to shift their focus to a new asymmetric battlefield where drones play a major role.

Former chief of staff for the US Army Gen. Randy George set up a futuristic drones and robot assault battalion specifically to meet the needs of new forms of warfare. The Defence Innovation Unit previously said it would draw on Ukrainian expertise to become “the world champions” of drone production.

But now, under the orders of Gen. Christopher LaNeve, acting chief of staff, the US Army has decided to phase out the futuristic drone and robot assault battalion in a “back-to-basics” approach, drawing criticism from military experts.

US Army to go “back-to-basics”

The Army has not said how the service’s drone abilities would adapt following the phase-out of the drone battalion.

Speaking to the Wall Street Journal, a spokesperson for the Army said it “is committed to accelerating U.S. military drone dominance to meet the demands of large-scale combat operations”.

The drone battalion, issued with the moniker of ‘3rd battalion of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment’, is composed of around 600 soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Once the battalion is phased out, it will “refocus on its core warfighting tasks as an airborne infantry battalion,” the spokesperson said.

A memo written by LaNeve, also obtained by WSJ, said, “U.S. Army forces must be prepared to overcome the most complex challenges our adversaries can impose and master an operational environment that looks fundamentally different from the battlefields of yesterday.”

“Ukraine has essentially revolutionized the close fight. Gen. George was starting to get that, and any setback in what he was doing would be deeply regretful and dangerous," said Michael O’Hanlon, a defense expert at the Brookings Institution speaking to WSJ.

Before being phased out, the battalion will participate in the annual Saber Junction exercise in Germany through August and September, before reporting on its findings to the Army to help guide future experimentation.

The direction of drone warfare in the US Army

The decision to phase-out the drone battalion may be a move by the US Military to unify its doctrine. As has been demonstrated in recent wars, the US military tends to prefer quick, decisive action, such as the capture of Venezuelan president Nicolás Maduro, and long-range engagement, as demonstrated during the war with Iran.

These forms of warfare avoid the boots-on-ground tactics that can quickly turn into the protracted warfare seen in Afghanistan and Iraq that lead to far higher casualty rates and a quick erosion in public support.

This isn’t to say that the US military isn’t preparing for the battlefields where drones can give a smaller, less well equipped adversary the upper hand - as Ukrainian troops demonstrated during exercise Combined Resolve. The US Marine core has been experimenting with tactics to counter consumer-sized drones using the automatic rifles, shotguns, and grenade launchers troops already carry with them.

But electronic warfare systems still remain a key part of the military’s doctrine for countering drones. The Army is working with private firms to test and deploy countermeasures such as radio-frequency jamming to cut communications between drone and operator, GPS spoofing to confuse operators as to the location of their drone, and high-powered microwave (HPM) systems to disable drones entirely.

LaNeve’s predecessor George introduced the drone battalion as part of a wider push for “transformation in contact”, allowing troops on the ground to have a say in how new technologies and tactics are adopted rather than relying on decision makers behind the frontlines to develop new battle plans.

• Flock's CEO says its drone business is doing well
• The drones are deployed in first responder situations
• Privacy groups say the devices are open to misuse

While the public backlash against Flock's camera technology continues, it seems it's not damaging the company's bottom line too much: Flock Safety CEO Garrett Langley says that drones are "probably our fastest growing business right now", accounting for just under half of forward-looking revenue at the last count.

The comments were made on The All-In Podcast (via Business Insider), in a wide-ranging interview that covered AI, facial recognition, the criticism that Flock is facing, and how the company is improving on safety and misuse. Default data retention for Flock's license plate readers has now been reduced from 30 days to 7 days, for example.

On the drones, these flying machines are being sold to law enforcement agencies and local authorities as DFRs — Drones as First Responders. The idea is that a drone can take off and weigh up a potentially volatile situation before police officers can get there, leading to valuable intel being gathered as quickly as possible.

Langley actually gives an example in his interview: an emergency report in the Dallas-Fort Worth area about a man brandishing a gun. A drone was dispatched, found that the 'gun' was actually a large lighter, and the incident was de-escalated before any face-to-face confrontation had happened.

Privacy concerns continue

Despite Flock's insistence that its drones and license plate readers are more helpful than harmful, privacy groups continue to question the guidelines in place around the technology, and the potential for misuse. The company says it's working hard to stop its cameras being used for unauthorized spying, as has happened in the past.

Without proper oversight, the worry is that drones will be used for an increasing number of surveillance tasks — and not always with the right oversight. The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) has said that the adoption of drones like the ones Flock sells "jeopardizes privacy in communities across the country".

That's particularly true when automated AI is involved, or vulnerable people are targeted, the EFF suggests. Meanwhile, American Civil Liberties Union analyst Jay Stanley has written about multiple concerns with drones: their use for intimidation and surveillance, a lack of proper oversight, and a squeezing out of consumer drone operations.

Judging by the reactions to The All-In Podcast interview, the general public — or at least those on X — aren't happy about the increased use of drones as first responders,. even if Flock's CEO is. "Do not normalize mass surveillance," comments one user, summing up the overall feeling on the thread.

• Versa is the world's first 2-in-1 pocket gimbal camera and drone
• It launched on Indiegogo on August 18, with pricing starting at $499
• HoverAir said Versa has FCC approval, however FCC granted it 'erroneously'

Editor's note: HoverAir's promotional material stated that the Versa had received Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification — meaning it's cleared for import, sale and use in the US.

However, the FCC since wrote to TechRadar, stating that the certification was granted 'erroneously' and that it's 'considering further action against HoverAir for apparently willfully violating the FCC’s Covered List rules'.

DJI dominates the drone space, leaving precious little room for others. However, HoverAir has repeatedly had a go at cracking the market, innovating in gaps left by the leading drone maker.

First we had the X1, the first self-flying drone that took off from the palm of your hand for easy aerial 4K selfies, which was followed up by HoverAir's X1 Pro with beefier 8K video. DJI reacted swiftly, answering with the Neo (and consequently Neo 2), which cost much less than HoverAir's.

Then there was HoverAir's Aqua, the world's first waterproof drone, which remains unique today. Now, we have the new Versa — the first 2-in-1 pocket gimbal camera and drone — making a trio of firsts.

The Versa looks like HoverAir's previous X1-series efforts, only its wings can be removed in a simple motion, leaving the drone body as a DJI Pocket-like pocket gimbal camera. Drones and gimbal cameras are two increasingly popular camera categories — and the Versa can be both.

It seems like an obvious move when you think about it. After all, both camera types feature a camera unit supported with a 3-axis gimbal. But can the Versa genuinely serve in both capacities? We'll find out very soon, once our Versa review sample lands.

HoverAir has, it seems, another advantage over DJI, saying the Versa has US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) certification. This means the Versa can be sold in the US, while DJI is still banned from selling its new products there.

There could be light at the end of the US ban tunnel for DJI, mind you, with recent news that a judge is set to review evidence that has categorized DJI as a Chinese military company. It's a decision that DJI described as "a significant step toward correcting an unjustified designation".

For now, though, the DJI ban remains in place, and it's a huge headache for the leading drone maker — and one that was just compounded by an impressive-looking rival product that will be sold in the US.

The lowdown on the Versa

We learnt more about the Versa when HoverAir launched the product on Indiegogo on August 18, and it will make its public debut at the IFA consumer electronics show, which takes place in Berlin, Germany, from September 4-8.

The self-flying camera shoots 4K video up to 60fps onto a 1/1.3-inch sensor, 4K HDR video up to 30fps with 10-bit color depth and up to 17.5EV dynamic range, plus 12MP photos (there's no mention of RAW format).

It features a host of flight modes that simplify aerial selfies, including palm take-off and landing, AI subject tracking, auto framing, bird's-eye flight mode, plus voice and gesture commands.

It can pair with your phone or HoverAir's Beacon device (debuted with the Aqua) for clear audio, and has a maximum 14-minute flight time (realistically it will be less than that), with flight speeds up to 36km/h and a solid Level 5 wind resistance.

The drone / pocket camera weighs 230g, placing it in the restriction-free category of beginner drones, or just 163g with its propellor guards removed when in use as a pocket gimbal camera.

In the hand, the Versa features a DJI Pocket-like rotating OLED haptic screen, which measures 1.64 inches on the diagonal and can hit 800 nits of brightness.

Overall, those look like a solid set of features for what could be a game-changing 2-in-1 camera. Where HoverAir struggles to compete with DJI, however, is on price.

According to the Versa's Indiegogo page, it will cost $499 for the Versa only, $887 for the Fly More Combo, which presumably will include additional batteries and a charging dock, or $1,270 for the Creator Combo. For the next 24 hours, those prices are slashed for early backers, who do so at their own risk (HoverAir is a reputable drone maker, though if you're in the US it could still be worth proceeding with caution).

HoverAir has shared a product promotional video on its YouTube, below. What are your first impressions of the HoverAir Versa? Let me know in the comments below.

• US Marines have been training to handle drone attacks, using rifles, shotguns, and grenade launchers
• The simulated threats used small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS), consumer drones typically equipped with explosives, or used for recon
• The exercise aimed to build confidence in US Marines with their standard-issue weapons

When troops are in the field and facing drones without electronic countermeasures, there is only one response possible. To ensure confidence and decisiveness in combat with sUAS attacks (small Unmanned Aerial Systems), US Marines have been training in the skill of taking out a consumer-sized drone with small arms and light weapons.

A three-day event held in Twentynine Palms, California, featured operatives from the 1st and 2nd Marine Divisions training in C-sUAS (counter-small Unmanned Aerial Systems) tactics, with drones from the US Marine Corps’ Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group, 7th Marine Regiment, and 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion.

Kinetic weapons used in dealing with the simulated drone threat included automatic rifles, shotguns, and grenade launchers.

Realistic threat

While electronic countermeasures were available to the assembled Marines, the use of small arms and light weapons has drawn attention. The soldiers were targeted by well-trained drone pilots, presenting a real challenge, rather than a duck shoot.

“The pilots that we had were really good,” said US Marine Corps Capt. Faith Richardson, a platoon commander with TTECG. “Those Marines were a huge contributor. We tried giving the training audience a realistic look at the threat, and having proficient, well-trained pilots was really important.”

Weapons used by the Marines included M27 automatic rifles firing 5.56mm rounds, M1014 combat shotguns using 12-gauge shells, and M32A1 and M320 grenade launchers equipped with 40mm antipersonnel rounds. The sUAS craft were flying at over 90 miles per hour, with attack runs coming as close as 20 meters from the Marines.

Drone threats have increased in prominence over the past decade thanks to the proliferation of off-the-shelf components and consumer drones.

As Richardson adds, “Small unmanned aerial systems have been around for a while, it’s just more prevalent in the battlespace today because it’s more cost-effective.”

Combating a prolific threat

Aiming to build confidence in combating sUAS attacks, the training took place alongside other exercises, including urban combat, with personnel evaluated on how they detected and defeated sUAS.

“Everywhere in the modern world, in all conflicts, the sUAS threat is becoming more prolific on the battlefield," added US Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Kevin Jares is an instructor with Tactical Training and Exercise Control Group. "We’re figuring out ways, with the squad’s organic weapons, to combat that threat and how to survive in today’s modern battlefield.”

The event seems to have been a success, and the results were deemed good enough for classroom and practical sessions on tactical responses to sUAS and C-sUAS to be included in future Service Level Training Exercises.

• MGI Engineering unveils cruise missile-like drone system, capable of speeds of 466 MPH and designed to operate autonomously in GPS blocked environments
• The TigerShark can carry a 300 kg payload, with a range of 900 km
• Parent company MGI Engineering has worked with Formula 1 teams, Formula E cars, and developed a car that won at the Dakar Rally

A British engineering company usually associated with Formula 1 and other motorsports has built an affordable “one-way effector” (meaning single-use) strike drone, essentially an intermediate-range cruise missile. MGI Engineering’s TigerShark is deployed from a ground-based vehicle with a rocket-assisted launch, whereby its onboard propulsion takes over and the rocket is detached.

Capable of delivering a 300-kilogram payload, the TigerShark uses GPS for navigation but is also designed to reach its target in terrain where GPS is unavailable or jammed.

The TigerShark is intended to be launched in multiples, with a swarm of the drones intended to attack targets, aiming to overwhelm air defense systems.

Complementary technologies

Based in Witney in Oxfordshire, MGI Defence — part of MGI Engineering — first unveiled the TigerShark at the DSEI exhibition in 2025. It now aims to bring the TigerShark to market within months, aiming to sell it to Britain’s strategic allies as a drone-based alternative to traditional cruise missiles.

Designed for faster assembly and delivery, the TigerShark can solve the problem of shrinking defense budgets, too, costing far less than Storm Shadow or Tomahawk cruise missiles.

As a one-way effector, the single-use drone is designed with a rocket-assisted propulsion for launch while twin turbojet engines drive the 661-pound payload to its target up to 900 kilometers (559 miles) away. Reaching speeds of up to 750 km/h (466 mph), the TigerShark can operate despite GPS jamming, thanks to inertial navigation.

This is one aspect of a pair of technologies used in conjunction to assure GPS-free targeting. While inertial navigation tracks position based on motion and speed from the launch point, a terrain-mapping system ensures what the TigerShark sees below matches its intended route, and makes adjustments. So, even if GPS is jammed, the TigerShark should reach its target.

Land-based salvo

MGI has announced that the drone is available from October 2026, and will be manufactured in the UK with export licenses to friendly countries.

The company states that “TigerShark enables defence forces to engage defended or distant targets with speed, precision, and autonomy, without relying on satellite navigation or real-time control. Its guidance suite combines inertial navigation with GPS-free terrain mapping for reliable operation in GPS-denied and spoofed environments.”

“Built for coordinated launch and rapid deployment, TigerShark can be fired as a salvo from a land-based vehicle launcher to overwhelm or degrade enemy defences. Its modular payload bay supports a wide range of mission types, from warhead delivery to electronic disruption.”

The TigerShark will enter increased production in late 2026, with MGI Defence aiming to sell to allies needing a more affordable and faster acquisition alternative to traditional intermediate-range cruise missiles.

• A Ukrainian drone strike in western Russia took out a TU-95 bomber while the craft was parked on the tarmac
• The drone technology used in the attack is based on the Chinese ZTK-150 UAV
• Ukraine’s MICH 2000s were built when China stopped selling its UAVs, adapted for use in the war with Russia

Ukrainian drones recently made a successful attack on a fleet of Russian military aircraft at an airstrip in western Russia, but while the TU-95 bomber and others were put out of action, the origins of the drones have raised eyebrows. The attack drones might have appeared to be Chinese ZTK-150s, but China has refused to sell the UAVs since 2023.

In fact, while they might look alike, the ZTK-150s have been effectively cloned by Ukraine, with customizations and improvements made to suit both the needs of the remote pilots and the demands of the Russo-Ukrainian war.

Inspired by the performance and the unavailability of the ZTK-150s, Ukraine has instead developed the similar MICH 2000s, based on information gathered during trips to China.

Critical damage

Attack drones were launched at the Engels-2 air base in western Russia on July 16, 2026, in an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle strike that targeted a Tupolev Tu-95 and four Tupolev Tu-22Ms. Aerial footage of the strike’s aftermath, assessed by the Ukrainian state security body the SBU, revealed considerable damage to the Tu-95.

“According to preliminary data, the plane suffered critical damage. It completely tore off the tail part,” says the SBU report.

How the Ukrainians achieved this has just been revealed, along with the story of how their forces managed to get their hands on drone hardware that seems extremely similar to the ZTK-150 — a drone that China has banned sales of.

The MICH 2000 is the response to a floated deal to buy some ZTK-150s from China in 2023, despite an existing restriction on exports of the hardware. So that deal switched to selling the technology itself, something the visiting Ukrainian military bosses were interested in, but was also eventually refused by the factory management. So, the intermediaries dealing with the Ukrainians took a different approach, enabling the export of eight drones to an assembly point with no export restrictions and facilitating training.

Just an outline

While a ZTK-150 costs $50,000, the Ukrainian MICH 2000 is $48,000 for the basic craft, and its resemblance to the Chinese drone is purely skin-deep.

EuromaidenPress reports that the intermediaries assisted with a certain degree of espionage at the ZTK-150 assembly line, with a source quoted: “We came there to teach pilots to fly Chinese drones. And in parallel with the training, we photographed everything that was there. Everything from the production process to the arrangement of the shelves and cabinets. They flew home with trained pilots and eight Chinese drones.”

Reports indicate an anonymous builder is assembling around 6,000 MICH 2000s a year with a possible increase to 10,000, with customizations to suit particular missions. These include warhead types, fuel tanks, electronic countermeasure protection, and even a choice of analog, digital, and Starlink communication.

MICH 2000 drones look set to lead UAV strikes against Russian targets, perhaps even breaking the conflict’s deadlock.

• Trump levies huge tariffs on 'sensitive' drones, such as those heavier than 25kg
• Tariffs have also been applied to a range of other countries, such as the EU, UK, Japan, and Taiwan
• Trump says the tariffs will help strengthen national security while also bolstering the domestic drone market

President Trump has levied a new set of tariffs against imported drones and their components for national security reasons.

For ‘particularly sensitive’ drones, such as those over 25kg, those with docking stations, or those with thermal imaging capabilities, the tariffs are 100%.

“President Trump’s drone tariff program will protect the national security of the United States and its defense and defense-adjacent industrial base, supporting and creating American jobs,” the White House fact sheet said.

Strengthening US industry through national security

Drones below the 25kg threshold will still be subject to a 25% tariff, with drones imported from the European Union, Japan, Liechtenstein, Republic of Korea, Switzerland, and Taiwan subject to a 15% tariff. The United Kingdom has a lesser tariff of only 10%.

The intended consequence of these tariffs is to strengthen the US domestic drone construction industry and the wider domestic drone market.

Outside of outright upping the cost of drones in the US as vendors pass on the costs of drones to consumers, the tariffs will also likely increase the costs of an already constrained supply of specialized drones in the US market.

Many drones imported from abroad, particularly those from China, are used for specialized purposes such as search and rescue and power line inspection. As the US does not have the dedicated industries and resources to quickly begin manufacturing these drones, there will likely be a huge increase of demand for a very limited supply.

The new tariffs also close a loophole allowing Chinese parts to be assembled into a drone in the US. The fact sheet states that drones for commercial and US military purposes “rely on foreign sources for critical Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) components, which poses significant risks to U.S. national security and creates cybersecurity vulnerabilities.”

The tariffs are due to kick in on September 3 2026, giving the US drone market just 21 days to adjust or pay massively inflated import costs.

• The FCC wants to take 'military-grade' DJI drones off sale
• Numerous DJI models would be affected
• You can comment on the proposals until September 2

There's been a ban on new DJI drones and cameras in the US since last December, but now the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is making moves to retroactively take some models off shelves that were approved before the ban came into effect.

Specifically, the FCC wants to pull "military-grade" drones from stores (via PCMag), which apparently includes every model with LiDAR obstacle avoidance or thermal cameras. That would affect drones such as the DJI Air 3S, the DJI Avata 360, the DJI Mini 5 Pro, and the DJI Mavic 3T, for example.

Drones that weigh over 55 pounds (nearly 25 kilograms) will be included in the retroactive ban, as well models that use docking stations. The criteria laid out by the FCC is broad enough to cover a substantial number of drones in DJI's current range.

Now, if you've already bought one of these drones in the US, the FCC isn't going to come and take it off you. However, unless the regulator changes course, these models won't be available to buy in the US from September 2.

You can take action

DJI has already complained long and hard about the original ban, pointing out that its drones were blacklisted for security reasons without any actual security audit taking place. It's also taking a very dim view of the new proposals by the FCC.

"People could continue using DJI products they already own, but the same models in use today might no longer be available to purchase in the future," says DJI in a blog post. "This is a total reversal from the FCC's previous position, and it is U.S. operators that would bear the cost."

DJI argues that safety agencies, small businesses, and farmers in the US who rely on DJI equipment will be faced with more expensive and difficult upgrades in the future, and it's asking for the public's support while the FCC proposal is considered.

You can have your say during the public comment period up until September 2: head to the Drone Advocacy Alliance website to make your feelings known, and to explain to the FCC how you use drones and their capabilities for non-military purposes.

• Ukrainian drone destroys Russian flag moments after dramatic aerial deployment attempt
• Competing battlefield videos continue fueling disputed territorial claims across eastern Ukraine
• Analysts continue examining disputed battlefield footage for signs of digital manipulation

Ukrainian forces released footage showing a Russian flag destroyed roughly 30 seconds after a drone placed it on a damaged building in the Sumy region.

According to Ukraine's 105th Territorial Defense Brigade, Russian operators dropped the flag from a drone before Ukrainian personnel responded with an FPV drone strike.

The video shows a Russian drone placing a flag associated with Russia's Airborne Forces onto the roof of a damaged residential building in Velyka Pysarivka.

Drone operation quickly ends symbolic battlefield display

Footage later captures a Ukrainian FPV drone approaching the location before striking the flag shortly after it landed, ending the display within approximately 30 seconds.

The 105th Territorial Defense Brigade said drone operators located the position before Russian forces could use the footage to reinforce claims of battlefield progress.

"Enemy rags do not remain on Ukrainian soil for long," the 105th Territorial Defense Brigade said about the operation.

Velyka Pysarivka lies close to the Ukrainian border with Russia and has experienced repeated attacks while remaining an active area of military operations.

Fighting around the settlement continues as Russian forces conduct cross-border activities while attempting to expand operations across parts of the Sumy region.

The released footage focuses on the sequence involving the flag placement and the subsequent strike instead of showing any broader military engagement nearby.

Symbolic footage continues shaping competing battlefield narratives

Throughout the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, both sides have repeatedly made competing claims about capturing territory, often supported by battlefield footage.

The latest video follows another disputed incident involving territorial gains that was circulated through Russian military communication channels.

Russian sources previously circulated a video claiming forces had captured Bilyi Kolodyaz in Ukraine's Kharkiv region after raising a Russian flag inside the settlement.

Analysts later questioned that recording after identifying what they described as signs suggesting digital manipulation within several parts of the footage.

Among those observations were an unusually oversized soldier together with a flag that reportedly disappeared from the frame during the recording sequence.

Neither side's battlefield footage can always be independently verified immediately because active combat conditions often limit direct access to the reported locations.

Military analysts therefore continue examining released videos alongside satellite imagery, geolocation evidence, and additional sources before confirming claims involving territorial advances or battlefield events.

The flag incident in Velyka Pysarivka adds another example showing how symbolic actions increasingly accompany frontline operations.

As of now, independent verification of the footage remains unavailable, making its authenticity difficult to establish.

Via United24media

• Zelensky says Ukraine's drones will soon fly far enough to hit anywhere in Russia
• Kyiv and Washington quietly push forward a plan to build drones on US soil
• Ukraine's drone range could jump to 10,000 km, but engineers still face big hurdles

In a recent interview with American conservative commentator Laura Loomer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that Ukrainian drones should exceed 4,000 km in range in 2026.

The Ukrainian leader added that long-range drones could achieve distances between 5,000 km and 10,000 km, or about 6,000 miles, by 2027.

Such a capability would theoretically allow a drone to cover Russia’s entire territory and reach distances comparable to the route between Kyiv and San Francisco.

Ukraine plans expanded drone cooperation with the United States

The projected increase in range forms part of Kyiv’s efforts to expand drone production through cooperation with Washington and possible manufacturing facilities inside America.

The discussions include joint production, technology exchanges, testing arrangements, and the development of production lines for advanced unmanned systems.

Ukraine has gained extensive experience with aerial drones, naval drones, and deep-strike platforms in its ongoing war with Russia.

Those battlefield developments have become central to discussions about future cooperation, as Kyiv seeks wider access to industrial capacity and advanced manufacturing resources.

The first stage of agreements between Ukraine and the United States has already been completed, while further documents remain under preparation.

"We're going to build a great factory," Zelensky said, describing plans for production lines that could support future drone manufacturing.

Both parties have already signed documents allowing various Ukrainian drone systems to undergo testing in the United States.

Those arrangements involve aerial drones, sea-based systems, and other high-technology products before any broader production agreement receives final approval.

Ukraine has also pursued similar defence partnerships with European countries as it attempts to expand its role in defence technology development.

Long-range drone ambitions face technical challenges

The planned range increase would require significant advances in propulsion, communications, navigation systems, and endurance capabilities before becoming operationally realistic.

Flying thousands of kilometres would create new challenges involving reliability, electronic warfare threats, satellite connectivity, and the ability to maintain accurate targeting.

Military analysts have often noted that extending drone range involves more than increasing flight distance because other systems must operate effectively.

A drone capable of travelling up to 10,000 km would require dependable control systems and protection against attempts to disrupt communications.

The development timeline could also depend on access to funding, manufacturing capacity, and successful testing under demanding operational conditions.

While Ukraine has rapidly expanded its unmanned capabilities during the war, achieving the announced range goals would require continued technological progress.

The proposed timeline shows Kyiv’s ambition to develop longer-range strike capabilities, although the final performance of such systems remains dependent on future development outcomes.

Via NV

• US Army commits $447 million to surveillance balloons despite drone vulnerabilities
• Cheap drones continue challenging expensive military surveillance systems across modern battlefields
• Hezbollah attacks exposed growing risks facing large airborne surveillance platforms during conflicts

The US Army has awarded TCOM LP a contract worth as much as $447 million to continue producing, deploying, and supporting its Persistent Surveillance Systems-Tethered aerostat fleet.

The award signals continued confidence in large surveillance balloons despite increasing reliance across modern militaries on budget drones, satellites, and autonomous platforms.

Analysts have questioned whether these highly visible systems can remain effective against increasingly sophisticated adversaries capable of detecting and destroying fixed aerial assets.

A costly bet against a cheap threat

The Persistent Surveillance Systems-Tethered program traces back to 2016, when the Army merged two earlier aerostat efforts into one unified initiative.

Those tethered balloons proved valuable in identifying roadside bombs and tracking insurgent movement across Iraq and Afghanistan for over a decade.

TCOM has remained the Army's core partner throughout, having previously won a nearly $979 million contract back in September 2019.

That earlier deal covered engineering, logistics and operations support across facilities in Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania and Arizona.

Each aerostat can reportedly fly at altitudes up to 16,000 ft (4,880 m) and watch an area continuously for over 30 days straight.

Yet recent battlefield lessons from Lebanon suggest that the same altitude offers little protection against a determined, low-cost adversary.

Hezbollah fighters used a swarm of cheap drones to kill four Israeli soldiers and wound 61 others near Binyamina in October 2024.

Israeli officials later said Hezbollah was launching more than 10 drones daily against troops, alongside rockets and anti-tank fire.

One Israeli commander described the wider campaign bluntly, saying "this is full-scale war," after drones struck an Iron Dome battery on camera.

Al Jazeera reported that Israel's costly defense systems were rendered ineffective by drones costing only a fraction of what they threatened.

Betting on persistence over cheaper alternatives

American defense planners have pushed hard toward cheaper, expendable drone and satellite platforms as a modernization priority in recent years.

A large tethered aerostat is neither cheap nor easily replaced once it comes under serious attack.

It remains fixed in place and clearly visible, making it a plausible objective for any adversary armed with modern strike weapons.

That vulnerability has fueled quiet debate within defense circles about how long aerostat surveillance stays viable against a well-equipped adversary.

Still, the Army solicited bids from ten companies for this contract and received responses from only two, suggesting limited industrial appetite for this niche.

The agreement will run through July 20, 2031, suggesting that the service still values an aerostat's unmatched ability to loiter continuously over one location for weeks.

However, the Army is simultaneously investing in smaller, more distributed drone and satellite alternatives across its wider surveillance architecture.

Via Defence Blog

• Ukraine converts long-range kamikaze drones into reusable missile-launching platforms
• Liutyi now carries four missiles instead of sacrificing itself during attacks
• Germany funds 500 additional Liutyi drones through a $100 million defense package

Ukraine's state defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom has unveiled a reusable version of its An-196 Liutyi drone at the Farnborough International Airshow.

According to a report from Ukrainian outlet Oboronka the new configuration carries four compact air-to-surface missiles beneath its wings.

Until now, the Liutyi has flown only as a single-use weapon, striking a location once before being destroyed on impact.

A Kamikaze airframe rebuilt to fly home

The standard Liutyi is a propeller-driven, satellite-guided drone with a claimed operational range of nearly 2,000 km per mission today. It carries a 50-to-75 kg warhead and relies on inertial navigation corrected by satellite signals for improved overall strike precision.

Ukraine has used the standard version to strike oil refineries as far as 1,700 km inside Russia, near the Urals region.

Liutyi drones have also struck the Izhevsk military plant deep inside Russia's Udmurtia region, roughly 1,400 km from the border.

Germany is financing 500 additional Liutyi drones at a cost of roughly $100 million, signaling continued Western interest in the program.

Each Liutyi airframe reportedly costs around $200,000 to build, a comparatively low price for a long-range strike platform of its kind.

The reusable variant carries four small missiles reported to have a maximum range of 200 km and speeds above 500 km/h, which is apparently achieved through a small jet engine mounted inside the missile's own fuselage.

No further technical details about either the airframe or the missiles have been disclosed so far.

A commercial statement for foreign buyers

Displaying an armed, reusable Liutyi there functions as a clear commercial statement almost as much as a purely military signal.

Ukraine has displayed naval drones, interceptor drones and strike systems at major international defense exhibitions throughout 2026

A drone combat-tested through hundreds of deep strikes on Russian territory offers foreign buyers a rare, already-proven track record overall.

The reusable Liutyi may also compete with Ukraine's own FP-1 drone, which reportedly offers comparable performance at a lower cost, and in design, the new missiles resemble Anduril's Barracuda-250, an American cruise missile with an 18 kg warhead and 370-plus km range.

Ukraine relied heavily on the Bayraktar TB2 for years before Russian air defenses eventually pushed the drone from contested skies.

The shift could allow the Liutyi to fill the niche once occupied by the Bayraktar TB2, a symbol of Ukraine's early resistance.

Whether the new missiles and airframe hold up under real combat conditions remains to be seen.

Via Defense Express

Fancy taking to the skies? DJI is the brand you're probably looking at — it's the name behind almost all the best drones around right now. If you're new to the world of drones, figuring out your options is tricky. This article is here to guide you through your options. I'll run through the main DJI ranges and who they're aimed at, and then once you've narrowed things down you can hop to the relevant section to read our reviews for each model. Let's get started...

Note: You'll only be able to see product cards for the models currently available to buy in your region. Due to FCC issues, not all DJI drones are available in the US. Hit the More details button to read our main takeaways for each model, and for a link to the full review.

DJI range guide

DJI Mini
DJI's flagship compact drones, and the best-selling range for beginner pilots. These are all sub-250g models, which means they come with little-to-no flight restrictions, depending on where you fly.
• Check out the Mini lineup

DJI Air
A step up from the Mini series, aimed at enthusiasts. These drones fall into the next weight category up, which means they're sturdier and you'll be able to fly for longer, but you'll need your region's equivalent of a certificate of competency before you fly.
• Check out the DJI Air lineup

DJI Mavic
Top-tier consumer drones with industry-leading camera performance. These are another step up from the DJI Air range, and again you'll need a certificate of competency before you fly.
• Check out the DJI Mavic lineup

DJI Neo
The cheapest, smallest, lightest and simplest DJI drone. It comes with single-push take-off from your hand, designed for aerial selfies (this kind of drone is sometimes referred to as a selfie drone).
• Check out the DJI Neo lineup

DJI Avata
FPV (first person view) drones, designed to be used with goggles for immersive high-speed and responsive flight — legally you need a 'spotter' with you when flying drones through goggles.
• Check out the DJI Avata lineup

There are a few standalone options to be aware of. The Lito is a straightforward beginner drone at an extremely wallet-friendly price — it's a step down from the Mini range in both price and capabilities. The DJI Flip is another beginner drone with vlogger-friendly features. At the other end of the scale is the DJI Inspire range, aimed at professionals — the kind of thing that might be hired for productions.

DJI Mini drones

DJI Mavic drones

DJI Air drones

DJI Neo drones

DJI Avata drones

Outliers

• Pentagon eyes swarms of cheap drones over a handful of expensive fighter jets
• Carrier decks may soon be crowded with robots doing eight different combat jobs
• US Navy next fighter wing could fly itself from takeoff to target and back

The US Navy has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking a new family of carrier-based drones which would operate alongside manned aircraft while supporting missions across the full range of naval combat operations.

The service wants these systems to fly from Ford-class and Nimitz-class nuclear carriers, while some designs could operate from smaller vessels.

Its requirements seeking industry proposals for platforms capable of eight missions, including attacks against ships and land targets, anti-submarine warfare, air combat, electronic warfare, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

Navy seeks autonomous aircraft for eight missions

The aircraft would also support aerial refuelling and resupply missions for naval task forces, creating a broad set of requirements for a single aircraft or connected family of systems.

Strike variants must have a minimum range of 1,000 nautical miles, equivalent to roughly 1,150 miles.

The service also wants advanced autonomy for carrier operations, mission changes and threat avoidance during flight.

Proposed systems must support automated aerial refuelling and remain compatible with existing unmanned aircraft control systems.

The Navy is seeking “affordable mass, risk-tolerant platforms” capable of addressing current and emerging threats, which points toward affordable aircraft designed to be produced in larger numbers than traditional high-cost combat jets.

Future carrier wings could rely on scalable drone fleets

The RFI asks companies to explain how their production methods could expand rapidly during a surge while keeping recurring flight and sustainment costs within sustainable limits.

Manufacturers must also describe ways to reduce maintenance demands and use existing naval supply networks.

The Navy is also open to aircraft that can operate from platforms beyond its largest carriers - vertical-takeoff and landing UAVs could fly from destroyers, expeditionary sea bases and other vessels with suitable aviation facilities.

“The Navy is interested in novel concepts that can operate from any air-capable platform,” the RFI states, including destroyers and mobile sea bases.

This could give naval commanders more options for deploying autonomous aircraft across different maritime environments.

The Air Wing of the Future Family of Systems forms part of the Trump administration’s Golden Fleet expansion plan.

Existing related programmes include the MQ-25A Stingray tanker and Collaborative Combat Aircraft initiative.

The RFI also asks companies to explain planned capital investments and internal research commitments needed to mature their designs.

The Navy’s requirements suggest that future carrier aviation could combine advanced manned aircraft with larger fleets of autonomous systems designed for scale and operational risk tolerance.

Via Defense News

• Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) struck a Russian Mi-28 attack helicopter in flight over the Belgorod region with a SkyFall Shrike 10 FPV drone, hitting the helicopter from above
• The attack, which saw a $400 drone strike and 'kill' a $19 million attack helicopter as per Skyfall, represents an impressive 47,500x exchange ratio
• The attack isn't isolated: Russia has lost over 20+ Mi-28s in similar attacks since the conflict began in 2022

The Russia-Ukraine conflict continues to expand as the latter continues to leverage asymmetric warfare to hold its own against a rival with superior technology and manpower, even as the conflict heads into its fifth year.

Much of this is due to Ukraine's pivot to home-grown drone and bot manufacturing, which helps to counter heavy Russian weaponry such as tanks, helicopters, and APCs using cheap but effective drones and bots to hold the line.

It has also allowed several startups to join the fray, offering low-cost options, often funded by external partners and allies to bolster Ukraine's war effort, and SkyFall's Shrike 10 FPV drone is one of them.

An impressive achievement, albeit with disputed claims

The Shrike 10 FPV drone, which costs less than a mid-range smartphone, flew up alongside a Russian Mi-28 attack helicopter, climbed above it, and dove into its tail boom on the morning of the July 17, 2026, in Russia's Belgorod region.

The strike was carried out by operators of the 427th Separate Unmanned Systems Brigade "Rarog," and confirmed by Major Robert "Magyar" Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces (USF), who published the drone's own final-approach footage on Telegram with the terse caption that the "Night Hunter" had gone "into the ground."

Ukrainian firm SkyFall, whose FPY drone, the Shrike 10, was involved in the attack, stated that it was priced at under $400 per unit. The Mi-28, per the same company, costs $19 million.

While the headline is impressive, the math might not completely check out: other sources put the cost of the Mi-28 at approximately $15 million, while a recent deal with Germany (50,000 SkyFall-built FPV drones for Ukraine, fitted with autonomous targeting software from US firm Auterion in a €90 million (~$103 million) deal) could mean that some liberties may have been taken to get to the $400 figure, though the Shrike 10 that attacked the Mi-28 might be differently configured or on the lower end of the spectrum.

The instance, which sees Ukraine claiming a kill on what is a pricey part of the Russian arsenal, is partially unconfirmed, with independent observers pointing out that there is no aftermath video and that attack helicopters often survive and successfully land after such hits. To Ukraine's credit, a similar kill, however, was reported in 2025 by the Ukrainian armed forces with footage to confirm the crash that followed.

Irrespective of the sum, the fact that a drone that costs a ten-thousandth of an attack helicopter that has been retrofitted to hunt it can be a credible predator of the same is potentially alarming, not only for the Russians but for military planners across the world, even if the damage in question might be open to dispute.

This is further corroborated by unverified sources claiming that the damage was 'minor' and did not affect either of the helicopter's two occupants at the time, thereby disputing much of SkyFall's claims beyond the drone's impact.

Russia's defense ministry, however, has not commented directly on the matter, and no open-source tracker such as Oryx has confirmed imagery of any wreckage either.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky recently said the natiopn is producing 10 million drones a year while vying for a production target of 20 million drones in the future, much of it backed by foreign aid, indicating that the Russian Mi-28, which has 20+ confirmed visual losses since the conflict began, continues to be both, an attacker and defender against drones of all shapes and sizes

• Apex Recordhunter drone unofficially set a new air speed record of 434 mph
• High-speed demonstrator will help develop next-gen military drones
• Company targets further records with interceptor drones soon

Germany’s Quantum Systems Group has broken the world airspeed record for an electric drone, hitting speeds of 699km/h (434mph) during internal testing on June 26, 2026.

Though the company is yet to carry out a formal, independently verified attempt at setting a record under the official measurement rules to be recognized by both Guinness World Records and Fédération Aéronautique Internationale (FAI), the speed far exceeds that of the current record holder – 657.59km/h (409mph).

The latest, unverified record was set in straight and level flight, and would represent a 6.3% increase over the current record. Official testing is expected within the coming weeks, the company said in a press release.

Record-breaker is merely a technology demonstrator

Quantum Systems explained that the Apex Recordhunter drone was developed over the past year, but “serves as a technology demonstrator for next-generation high-speed systems” rather than being a commercially viable product. “Several innovations from the project are expected to support future interceptor drone programs,” the company added.

It is a battery-electric, fixed-wing aircraft developed by the firm’s N3XT advanced development team, benefiting from Porsche-subsidiary-supplied V4Smart battery cells.

Of course, the drone and its successors would not target consumer photographer and hobby markets, instead focusing on high-speed interceptors for modern warfare. Quantum Systems says lessons learned from Apex will directly influence future interceptor platforms for real-world defense scenarios.

“Super proud of the Quantum Systems team, showing our engineering ambition across our Group and reinforcing our commitment to developing world leading technologies,” co-CEO Florian Seibel wrote.

Engineers from Quantum’s Ukrainian WIY Drones division also contributed to the program – a noteworthy inclusion because Russia has increasingly deployed high-speed, jet-powered one-way attack drones. Deploying high-speed drones like the one Quantum Systems has developed could be much cheaper and more accessible than sending off expensive air-defense missiles.

Records continue to be broken as rapid development continues

By mid-July, the company also hopes to have set two other records. The first – the highest speed achieved by an FPV interceptor drone carrying a 500g payload – by its STRILA Interceptor. Second, its SPYS drone, gunning for the highest speed achieved by an anti-aircraft class FPV interceptor drone.

These achievements and potential records reflect an ongoing global race to develop faster military drones, but they also underscore the growing relevance of airborne, remote and autonomous weapons in modern warfare.

That said, other electric drones have technically achieved even higher speeds. Tom’s Hardware recently reported of a New Zealand duo who recorded high speeds of 730km/h (453mph) – that Blackbird drone uses sawtooth carbon fiber prop blades.

Despite lacking official recognition, the duo had previously set a record of 626km/h (388mph) in December 2025 with a separate drone, before quickly being overtaken by another record-holder which achieved a higher 659km/h (408mph). Regardless, an 11.7% increase from December’s first record to today’s unofficial record confirms there’s plenty of scope to continue pushing the boundary.

Eric Schmidt has enjoyed a long career in the technology industry, including a decade at the helm of Google. Since then, he's been heavily involved in the realm of defense – and has had a thing or two to say about the new reality of conflicts around the globe.

Modern warfare

Schmidt was speaking at the Future Investment Initiative conference in Saudi Arabia about the rise of drone-based warfare, contrasting this with the historic prevalence of tanks and armored vehicles.

The cost-to-damage ratio is incredibly favorable, as he urged the US and Western allies to transition away from legacy tech in favor of drones and other related technologies at the heart of a new kind of warfare.

His expertise in this realm comes primarily from his role advising the US government and military on technology, with the former Google CEO chairing the Defense Innovation Board from March 2016. This organization primarily connects the tech sector with the Pentagon.

Between 2019 and 2021, Schmidt also co-chaired the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence, which had a mission to make recommendations to the US president and Congress on the role of AI in the future of defense.

Look to the skies

Schmidt's comments came two-and-a-half years following the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine, a war that's been defined by next-generation technologies including robotics and drones.

Ukraine has, for example, used AI drones to strike vital Russian supply lines, while in recent weeks, news emerged that Russia has also stepped up use of jet-powered drones that can hit speeds of up to 500 km/h against its adversary.

Drones are incredibly cheap compared with technologies used in the past – and they're also incredibly effective. We also see examples of the way drones have been used in the conflict between the US-Israeli forces and Iran.

• Wild Hornets expanding use of 3D printing to meet demand
• In-house manufacturing reduces reliance on third-party suppliers
• The company is focusing on software as drone swarm threats evolve

Ukrainian drone manufacturer Wild Hornets believes 3D printing could be the answer to modern warfare, helping companies like it to reduce costs and boost production.

DOU reports the company is now growing its 3D printing footprint using large numbers of FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) desktop printers, like Bambu Lab and Elegoo devices, rather than using expensive industrial systems.

This allows the company to churn out plastic drone components at high volume, but it also improves the speed of manufacturing allowing the company to iterate design more quickly as enemy tactics evolve.

3D printing’s role in modern warfare

Recent reporting on the company by industry experts at 3D Printing Industry, highlights how desktop 3D printers offer several advantages for quickly evolving digital and aerial warfare, like lower capital costs for manufacturing, quick prototyping support and easier scaling via new printers, rather than having to build new tools and moulds.

This comes as Ukraine continues to face enemy threats – the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) continues to report rising attacks from Russia as the country doubles down on Iranian Shahed-type drones.

In-house, affordable manufacturing also covers battery packs, flight controllers and other electronics and components, all helping to reduce costs and support Ukraine’s efforts. It also reduces reliance on third parties and external supply chains.

Since its inception, Wild Hornets has grown from a volunteer initiative into a manufacturer capable of producing around 100 drones per day – deepening its 3D printing strategy will only help.

Speaking about artificial intelligence, an anonymous spokesperson from Wild Hornets told DOU AI’s use in drone-based warfare is limited but is starting to expand, primarily spanning recognition and navigation. However, Wild Hornets estimates that adding AI functionality currently raises costs by $150 to $500 per drone, making it a costly consideration.

Drones are becoming much more than hardware

Looking ahead, Wild Hornets is seeing defense partner interest moving beyond the drone itself to the entire Hornet Vision package, which includes digital video transmission, remote control, AI and more.

The system itself was originally designed because Chinese digital control systems became unavailable amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts, but with the company recently demonstrating successful remote operation of its Sting interceptor from 2,000km away, from a country outside of Ukraine, partners are increasingly interested in the full hardware and software package.

However, even while aerial, autonomous threats continue to rise, the company’s unnamed speaker told DOU that drone swarms don’t exist in the way they’re made out to exist, describing them as ‘a cool legend and a mechanism for a scam to get money from naive investors.’

The company promises to add drone swarm technology as and when it emerges and evolves, but for now it’s neither an option nor a realistic threat.

“We would like the war to end,” they added. “Then, instead of increasing production volumes, we would focus on technologies, R&D, design solutions and cooperation with foreign partners.”

• International Aerial Photographer of the Year 2026 winners announced
• Azim Khan Ronnie and Vitaly Golovatyuk scoop the top 'Photographer' and 'Photograph' prizes
• Both winners shoot aerial images with a DJI Mavic 4 Pro

If you love jaw-dropping aerial images, the International Aerial Photographer of the Year contest is well worth checking out — and the contest's 2026 winners have just been announced.

A total of 101 images were shortlisted by the contest's three judges, and Azim Khan Ronnie scooped the top prize with his portfolio of scenes from around the world, including vibrant images of chili pepper harvesters in his home country of Bangladesh.

Ronnie said: “From above, everyday scenes reveal patterns, geometry, textures and relationships that are often invisible from the ground. Aerial photography allows me to tell stories about people, nature and the environment from a perspective that inspires curiosity and offers a deeper understanding of the world."

A minimum of four images are required to be considered for the top 'Photographer' prize won by Ronnie. Vitaly Golovatyuk of the Russian Federation took 1st place for the International Aerial Photograph of the Year, with their individual image of a bird standing in a perfectly still lake in Elk Park, outside Dongtai City in the Zhejiang Province of China.

You can take a look at Azim Khan Ronnie's portfolio below, with the variety of scenes including migratory seagulls in Yamuna Ghat, Delhi, India and a perfectly synchronized rowing team gliding over the mist-covered surface of Lake Zurich in Switzerland.

'Unique and extraordinary'

I reached out to Azim Khan Ronnie, who described his images as "unique and extraordinary", and the result of much hard work, repeat visits and early starts.

I was particularly drawn to his series of chili pepper harvesters in Bogura, Bangladesh, where more than 2,000 people work on approximately 100 chili farms — you can see more of his images from this particular series at his Instagram page, linked below.

The vibrant colors grabbed my attention first, then the abstract patterns and astute composition kept me engaged.

I also enjoyed his use of manual exposure and a slow shutter speed to blur the motion of the migratory seagulls, in contrast to the still (and sharp) boat they're surrounding, in his image from Yamuna Ghat, Delhi, India.

In the International Aerial Photographer of the Year press release, learn that Ronnie takes his aerial images with the DJI Mavic 4 Pro drone — a professional triple-camera drone which scored a maximum 5-star rating in our in-depth review.

Ronnie says, “For aerial photography, I use the DJI Mavic 4 Pro and DJI Mavic 3 Classic, allowing me to create images that reveal scale, patterns and perspectives impossible to capture from the ground. I always shoot exclusively in raw to capture the maximum amount of image data, giving me greater flexibility during post-processing while preserving image quality."

Vitaly Golovatyuk also used a Mavic 4 Pro for his winning individual image (above), taken in China, where the still lake appears like an eye, with the bird framed in the center among the reflected clouds and the surrounding rich red landscape.

The winners from the 101 shortlisted entries can be found at The International Aerial Photographer of the Year website, whose founders are on a mission 'to encourage and share the wonders of aerial photography'.

If you scroll to the bottom of the page linked above, there's a flip book containing all of the shortlisted entries — trust me, it's well worth a look.

My first DJI drone was the flagship DJI Mavic Pro that launched in 2016. At the time, it was the brand's smallest consumer market drone ever made, replacing the bulky DJI Phantom, and that meant it wasn't cheap at $999 / £999.

It didn't take long after unboxing it for me to crash it into a wall. I was excited; the controls were inverted. Back then, there was no way I could simply fork out for a replacement drone — but luckily it just needed a new arm rather than a whole new drone (phew).

Since then, DJI has expanded its consumer drone range considerably, from the ultra-lightweight Mini Series to the more accessible Neo Series for casual flyers. The most beginner-friendly of the lot is the DJI Neo, which you can find at Amazon for as low as $139 (was $199) in the US and £113 (was £169) in the UK for the drone itself.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

I've rounded up the best DJI drone deals, like the DJI Neo, below. Hopefully, you're shopping to upgrade rather than replace, though. Happy flying!

Today's best DJI drone deals in the US

Today's best DJI drone deals in the UK

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: get a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire, Ring & Blink from £13.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: up to 33% off AirPods & Apple Watch
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja & Tefal
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from £5
• Fans: from £20
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Gaming: £90 off PlayStation 5
• Headphones: up to 50% off Beats & Sony
• Laptops: from £149
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £79.99
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Shark & Roborock
• Wearables: up to 30% off Garmin & Oura

Earlier this week, I recommended a knock-out deal for the DJI Neo — the lowest price for a DJI drone I've ever seen. But if you want a better value drone, especially if you're keen to take control of it yourself and learn to fly, then the DJI Mini 4K is my top pick.

I bought a DJI Mini 4K myself a couple of years ago, and its record-low price right now for Prime Day is less than half of what I paid — the Mini 4K costs $209 at Amazon US / £169 at Amazon UK. And unlike the Neo, a controller is included in the base package.

There are various deals for other bundles too, with additional batteries and so on — I've included links to those deals below. I've also rounded up the best DJI deals for other beginner drones, so you're completely covered for your first drone.

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

If you're in the US and not sure about DJI given the current ban, read on for my advice.

Your ideal first drone to learn flight

The DJI Neo is the quickest drone to get started with, with its one-push take-off and automated subject tracking, but if you actually want to learn to fly, then the DJI Mini 4K is a better bet. I've reviewed the Mini 4K, and you can see my YouTube review below.

The base package costs a little more than the Neo, but a controller is included. If you want a controller with the Neo, the price shoots up.

For your money, you get decent aerial photography quality, thanks to a 3-axis gimbal camera, 4K video, and 12MP stills. Flight time is rated up to 31 minutes on a full charge, and there are a host of automated flight moves to quickly level up your aerial videos.

Of course, like all DJI Mini drones, the Mini 4K weighs less than 250g, making it officially a beginner drone that's not hit with the regulations that heavier, pro drones are.

If your budget stretches a little further, I recommend the recent DJI Lito X1, which gives an image quality step up and object sensing, meaning you're less likely to crash it. I've included the best deals for other beginner DJI drones below, but for me, the Mini 4K is the best value.

Today's best DJI Mini 4K deals (US)

Today's best DJI Mini 4K deals (UK)

More of the best beginner DJI Mini drone deals today

More DJI Mini deals (US)

More DJI Mini deals (UK)

More Prime Day deals in the US

• Amazon Devices: Fire Sticks & Echo from $18
• Amazon Haul: viral gadgets, tech & appliances from $1.99
• Apple: MacBooks, AirPods & AirTags from $29
• Beauty: 50% off toothbrushes & hair tools
• Cheap TVs: smart TVs from $69.99
• Garden: tools, mowers, planters from $24.99
• Headphones: 50% off Beats, Bose & Samsung
• Laptops: Apple, HP & Dell from $199
• Mattresses: Sealy, Serta & more from $186
• Patio: outdoor furniture, rugs & decor from $19.99
• Sports: 50% off fitness gear, treadmills & clothing
• Vacuums: Dyson, Shark & Bissell from $34

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: sign up for a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire TV, Ring & Blink from £24.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: AirPods Pro 3 for a record-low price
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja, Tefal & Sage
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from under £10
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Father's Day: up to 50% off gifts & drinks
• Headphones: up to 50% off
• Laptops: from £149.99
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £125
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Eufy & Roborock
• Wearables: Garmin & Huawei from £36.99

• 500k+ hours of Ukraine war drone footage to be used for AI training
• Real-world data provides deeper context and higher quality than synthetic data
• Ukraine officials believe in a "war of operating systems" where training data matters

Virginia-based AI firm Enabled Intelligence says it's added more than 500,000 hours of Ukraine war drone footage to its EView platform to help train models.

The real-world data is hoped to provide better-quality training to the computer vision and video analysis models, instead of having to rely on synthetic data, in a bid to improve the efficacy of AI-powered drones in modern warfare.

"It’s footage from one of the most complex and dynamic conflicts in modern history," CEO Peter Kant explained (via DefenseScoop), noting that the training data hasn't come from a simulated or controlled environment.

Ukraine war drone footage used to train AI drones

Kant explained that footage will help train models across "aerial object detection, vehicle classification and ground activity," and that it's pre-labeled, validated and ready for training use. It gives the models more experience handling changing conditions like weather, smoke, dust, damaged infrastructure and other dynamic environments.

Artificial intelligence has broadly changed how militaries benchmark weapons, because it's no longer about who has the best drone. Dataset quality is an even bigger differentiator when it comes to autonomous warfare.

As for the Ukraine war's role in the training dataset, it marks one of the most drone-intensive wars to date with thousands of drones operating daily and generating huge amounts of real-world data.

The evolution also highlights an emerging competitive advantage for certain countries – those involved in conflict early on in AI's timeline can generate enormous amounts of real operational data before enemies, putting them one pace ahead.

"The system ⁠that possesses more data and better understands that data, proposes solutions — that system will gain the advantage over the other," head of Ukraine's defense ministry's AI center Danylo Tsvok told Reuters, referring to a future where we could see a "war of operating systems."

No other 4K drone is easier to get started with than the DJI Neo. Anyone can be airborne with it in minutes, capturing 4K selfies with smart subject tracking. And the good news is that you really don't need all the costly extras that I usually recommend to first-time pilots — the drone-only package for £113.05 at Amazon UK is a great option to take your first flight.

Yes, the beauty of the Neo is its versatile flight options; it works with or without a controller, and with goggles for FPV flight. However, you really can enjoy its best feature — automated subject tracking — in its simplest controller-free form.

If you're feeling flash, the Fly More Combo is available for below £200 for the first time, now just £198.55 at Amazon UK (was £299), with which you'll get the drone, a controller, three batteries and charging hub, while the price of the Motion Fly Combo, which includes the goggles and motion controller for FPV flight, now costs just £309 at Amazon (was £449).

• Browse the full Amazon Prime Day sale

These are excellent prices over Amazon Prime Day for one of the most compelling beginner drones that I've had the pleasure of testing.

A DJI drone at this price?

We gave the DJI Neo 4 stars in our review when it was launched in September 2024 as the cheapest DJI drone that shoots 4K video. It has since been upgraded to the Neo 2 in November 2025 — I've highlighted five key differences in my DJI Neo 2 vs DJI Neo explainer so you can be sure what you may or may not be missing out on should you opt for the older model.

Yes, the Neo 2 is a decent upgrade and worth the extra outlay for some people, but there are many similarities between the two selfie drones. For first-timers, I think the original model offers the best value, especially at the new low prices.

If aerial photography is your chief concern, however, you might be better off looking at other DJI quadcopters; the Neo has a small 1/2-inch sensor and is limited to 12MP JPEG-only photos and 4K video with standard color profile (no D-Log). The Neo 2 has much the same image quality, but drones such as the recent DJI Lito X1 give an image quality step up. I've included the best deals for other beginner DJI drones below, though none come close to the extraordinarily low price of the Neo.

Today's best DJI Neo deals

More of the best beginner DJI drone deals today

More Prime Day deals in the UK

• Amazon Prime: sign up for a 30-day free trial
• Amazon Devices: Fire TV, Ring & Blink from £24.99
• Amazon Haul: up to 30% off
• Apple: AirPods Pro 3 for a record-low price
• Appliances: up to 45% off Ninja, Tefal & Sage
• Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Essentials: household goods from under £10
• Fashion: up to 50% off
• Father's Day: up to 50% off gifts & drinks
• Headphones: up to 50% off
• Laptops: from £149.99
• Tablets: Samsung & Lenovo from £125
• Toys: up to 25% off Lego and Tonies
• TVs: from £129.99
• Vacuums: up to 40% off Eufy & Roborock
• Wearables: Garmin & Huawei from £36.99

The simplest beginner drone I've ever used is DJI's tiny Neo. It works with or without a controller, with goggles as an FPV drone, and can take off from the palm of your hand, track your movement for aerial 4K selfies, and return to your hand. It's also DJI's cheapest drone that just got even cheaper ahead of the Prime Day sales.

The Fly More Bundle now costs $295 at Amazon US or it's just £198.55 at Amazon UK, and includes the drone, a controller, three batteries and charging hub. You can get the drone-only package for much less, just $169 at Amazon US / £113.05 at Amazon UK.

These excellent value deals, for a drone we gave 4 stars in our review on its September 2024 release, would have been a straightforward recommendation but for one thing — the Neo 2 upgrade.

You can see five key differences in my DJI Neo 2 vs DJI Neo explainer, but I can tell you here that the Neo 2, which came a year later in November 2025 (just six months ago or thereabouts), came with some very welcome improvements and gained 4.5 stars in our Neo 2 in-depth review.

Of course, the Neo 2 costs more, and with the original Neo early Prime Day deal that price gap further grew. The DJI ban is also in the picture for US consumers. So which model, if either at all, do I recommend you buy?

A 'big upgrade', but is the Neo 2 worth the extra money?

Having tested many of the best DJI drones over the last few years, I can tell you that Neos are small, simple and excellent starter drones, especially if aerial selfies top your shot list. Anyone can get started with a Neo in minutes, with no prior experience needed.

It's no exaggeration that the Neo 2 was a big upgrade over the Neo, delivering important improvements in key areas. Chief among those upgrades is that the Neo 2 has obstacle avoidance, so it's much less likely to crash into things than its predecessor.

The Neo 2 camera is supported by a 2-axis gimbal, max flight speeds are improved by up to 50%, there's more internal storage, a built-in screen and better wind resistance, thanks in part to its slightly larger and heavier build. Gesture control has also been added. All solid improvements for an all-round sturdier-in-flight drone.

However, there is also much that's familiar between Neo drones, and autonomous tracking flight is where they both shine. Battery life is still modest, and image quality from the same 1/2-inch sensor is largely similar too, with JPEG-only 12MP photos. The max 4K video frame rates are upped to 60fps (or 100fps when using the controller), but again there's only the standard color profile (no D-Log), nor any way of fitting an ND filter.

In short, both Neos are simple and fun selfie drones, that can be flown multiple ways with or without a controller (and goggles), but not ideal for serious aerial photography. If image quality is a chief concern you might want to look at alternative drones such as the Lito X1, and you won't need to pay extra for the Neo 2 instead of the Neo.

And if you can live without the Neo 2's obstacle avoidance, which for this kind of casual drone is entirely possible, then the original Neo at this low price is arguably the more compelling of the two.

Today's best DJI Neo deal (US)

Today's best DJI Neo deal (UK)

More of the best beginner drone deals today

Protecting critical infrastructure has long been a question of securing access from the ground – the assumption was that if you could control who entered a site, you could control most of the threats it faced.

But recent conflicts have proven that highly sensitive sites now face threats from three dimensions spanning both physical and digital.

One of the biggest threats is the rapid rise of commercially available drones – cheap and accessible devices that can easily bypass the traditional checkpoints historically employed at these secure sites.

Newer drones are playing an increasing role in warfare, now that they’re able to fly farther, stay airborne longer and carry sophisticated payloads.

World governments are getting ready to tackle these changing risks and the rules are becoming ever more stringent. China, for example, recently tightened controls on drone ownership. Other governments have imposed more identification requirements, geofencing measures and new operational categories.

Futureproofing infrastructure against drone strikes

But I worry that regulation alone might not solve the problem, and many of the same questions we’ve been asking about telecoms equipment now apply to the drone industry. Who built the technology, where does the data go, who can access it…?

As we move from basic camera-equipped consumer drones to fully autonomous commercial fleets spanning critical infrastructure, logistics, emergency response and more, I think more needs to be done to secure both sensitive physical locations and the data that these drones now possess.

To better understand how governments, operators and infrastructure owners should prepare for this shifting landscape, I turned to MyDefence UK Director Liam Hutcheson, who shares his thoughts on regulation, security and infrastructure protection.

• China has recently moved towards more restrictions on drone usage and ownership. Given the dual use of the technology, does the move surprise you and do you think others will follow the example of China and roll out more strict drone control?

Not entirely. China's move reflects a tension every drone-mature nation is grappling with: the same technology enabling precision agriculture and emergency response can equally be used for surveillance, smuggling or targeted disruption. Longer endurance, better cameras and swarm coordination only intensify that challenge.

What it signals is that governments are becoming less comfortable leaving drone activity largely unregulated. We are already seeing the same direction in Europe and the US with Remote ID mandates, geofencing requirements, granular operational categories. The UK reinforced its class-marking regime for 2026.

Whether others match China's specific restrictions will depend on their security posture, economic reliance on the sector and enforcement appetite. But the broader trend is consistent: tighter oversight, stronger identity requirements, more defined exclusion zones.

From our perspective, regulation is necessary but only half the answer. Rules work when operators comply. COTS drones can easily be, and are being, modified to circumvent restrictions on usage and ownership, undermining even well-designed frameworks. Remote ID is a good example: meaningful, but only if receiver infrastructure exists to read it. Without detection capability running alongside the regulatory framework, you get rules that look credible on paper but cannot be enforced in practice.

• The US rolled out a blanket ban on Chinese drones (and non-US routers). Before that they targeted ZTE, Huawei and a slew of Chinese tech manufacturers citing security reasons. Can (and should) drones and by extension unmanned vehicles and in the near future robots be vetted to ensure that systems meant to protect the nation are not double-agents?

Yes and the pattern with ZTE, Huawei and now DJI tells us something important. The concern goes beyond the device itself to what it is connected to and who can reach it. A drone is not just a flying camera. It records location, footage, flight history and operator identity. All of that data has to go somewhere, and knowing where is not always straightforward.

That risk does not stop at drones. Autonomous ground vehicles, logistics robots, inspection platforms - anything networked in a sensitive environment poses the same question.

The supply chain adds further complexity. A system assembled in one country may still depend on software, components or cloud infrastructure originating elsewhere.

Vetting at the point of purchase is not enough. These systems can be updated after deployment, which means their behaviour can change. What is needed is persistent visibility into what is actually happening around a facility; detecting unexpected signals, unauthorised transmissions or activity that does not match what a system is supposed to be doing. That is exactly the kind of awareness that RF-based detection provides, and it applies equally to hostile third-party drones and to your own fleet.

• How far are we from the day one human operator will be able to safely manage fleets of autonomous drones for civilian or defense purposes? What are the bottlenecks that need to be removed in order for this to materialise?

A single operator can already manage small fleets for infrastructure inspection and logistics, and that capability is maturing quickly. The gap is widest in urban or contested airspace where conditions change fast and the cost of error is high.

From our perspective, the missing foundation is airspace awareness. The same detection infrastructure that protects a site from hostile drones is what gives a fleet operator the picture they need to operate safely. Those two requirements are not separate problems. Sites that build airspace awareness in from the start will be the ones where one-to-many operation becomes viable first, for security and for operations alike.

• Data centres are rapidly becoming a target of choice, as we've seen in the Iran conflict a few months ago. From your vantage point, what does a fully secured airport or power station or data centre look like in 2030? Is that even possible given the near endless vectors enemies can use?

A fully secured critical site in 2030 does not look like a single technology. It looks like a layered system with a clear chain of detection, assessment and response. For drone threats that means persistent airspace monitoring through radio frequency detection, radar, acoustic and optical sensors working together, feeding a common operating picture that security teams can act on in real time.

At an airport or power station you would expect geofenced enforcement zones, direct alert integration into control room systems and pre-authorised response protocols. Equally important is what happens after an incident. Evidence collection, chain of custody and the ability to reconstruct exactly what occurred when a drone appeared. This information must include what the drone did and how the site responded. Regulators and prosecutors need a clear evidential record, and that has to be built into the system architecture, not added as an afterthought.

What the recent Iran conflict and incidents like Gatwick show is that the gap between a capable adversary and an unprepared defender is still dangerously wide. The sites investing in detection infrastructure now are the ones that will be credibly protected by 2030.

• What are the main concerns when you port military anti-drone capabilities to a civilian setup? What are the challenges of deploying 'active mitigation' (like jamming or intercepting) in densely populated or commercially active environments?

Military counter-drone systems are built for environments where neutralising the threat is the primary objective. Civilian environments have a different set of constraints entirely: spectrum co-existence and the risk of disrupting legitimate activity nearby.

A further challenge is the lack of a clear line of responsibility and the absence of a common, centralised overview of airspace activity. Questions of jurisdiction become particularly complex in a non-military context. That said, detection in a civilian setting can actually be more reliable and effective: denser infrastructure, fixed sensor placement and the ability to correlate multiple data sources mean that understanding what is happening in your airspace is often more achievable than in a battlefield environment.

Take jamming as an example. In a civilian context, jamming will disrupt emergency services communications, aviation systems or medical equipment within range. A jammer does not distinguish between the drone it is targeting and everything else sharing that spectrum.

The answer is not to rule out active mitigation, it is to build the framework that makes it usable responsibly. High-risk sites should have access to proportionate responses, but only within a clear and accountable structure. That starts with operators being able to show they understood what was happening in their airspace before they acted; what they saw, how they read the situation and why they responded the way they did. Without that foundation, the argument for stronger powers will not land with regulators or in court. You have to be able to see and evidence what is happening before you can justify doing anything about it.

• Stockton has approved a $3.15 investment in Flock drones
• The drones will act as airborne first responders
• Residents have raised privacy and surveillance concerns

Surveillance and privacy are huge concerns for individuals across the world right now, and municipal leaders in the California city of Stockton are the latest to attract criticism for a controversial drone expansion program that's ostensibly being undertaken in the interests of public safety.

As reported by Stocktonia, the city council recently gave the thumbs up to a $3.15 million investment in drones manufactured by Flock, on top of the automatic license readers the company already supplies. These drones can act as airborne first responders, giving police eyes on a 911 call situation in as little as 30 seconds.

The sales pitch is that officers will be better informed when they arrive, and that some incidents could be handled remotely. "It'll really enhance what we already have, in that we get quick deployments, real time updates for officers on scene," said Police Lt. David Padula when the deal was approved.

However, while city leaders all liked the drone program, there has been massive public opposition against it. Issues around privacy, immigration enforcement, and mass surveillance have been raised by residents — not just in regards to how the drones are used, but how the data they collect is stored and shared.

These drones aren't widely used in the US, but there are active programs in some cities in states, including Texas, Indiana, and Connecticut. The license plate readers are far more widespread, with more than 100,000 now in use.

Data collection and privacy

"It sends the wrong message," said local activist group The Stockton Community Check-In Booth in a statement after the council decision. "While our residents continue to struggle under the financial impacts of this administration and economy, Stockton continues to invest in militarization and surveillance."

"Private organizations can control your data from those Flock cameras, and because they're privately owned, you can't even use freedom of information to find out what they have about you," said Stockton Republican congressional candidate John McBride, calling the use of the drones "a total invasion of privacy".

According to Flock, local agencies remain in control of the data. It states that it doesn't work with ICE, and that federal agencies are blocked from discovering or requesting data held by Stockton. Drone flights are logged on a public-facing dashboard, and Stockton police will own 100% of the data they collect.

However, Flock has run into trouble elsewhere: It has previously been found to be sharing access with US Customs and Border Protection in Colorado and Illinois, though it says these practices have now been stopped. In Texas, police used a Flock camera network to track the movements of a woman who had an abortion.

In other areas, authorities haven't been so welcoming to Flock and its systems. In Mountain View, California, a Flock network of cameras was recently scrapped over concerns about unauthorized access.

• Potensic's new Atom 3 replaces the Atom 2 beginner drone
• It adds a bigger sensor, higher 4K frame rates, better battery life, and more
• The Fly More Bundle includes an upgraded controller with a 5.5-inch display

You don't need me to tell you that DJI dominates the consumer drone space, despite its current difficulties entering the US market with a current ban on all foreign-made drones. But there's a viable beginner drone alternative, and that's Potensic.

Sadly for US consumers, Potensic also faces the same barriers to entry as DJI, given that the drone manufacturer is also Chinese. But for the rest of us, the shiny new Atom 3 looks like an excellent value option.

It upgrades the already excellent Atom 2 in several key ways, with a larger 1/1.3-inch sensor, 4K video recording at up to 60 fps with a Log color profile, 50 MP photos in JPEG and RAW, 7x slow motion in Full HD, plus a host of improved flight features.

Battery life has seen a boost, now up to 40 minutes on a single charge, as has transmission range, which now extends to 16km, not that I'd ever expect to fly that far away!

And the usual Fly More Combo, which includes three batteries and a charging hub, also comes with an upgraded controller that has a brighter 5.5-inch Full HD display than Potensic's previous offering, rated at 900 nits.

Potensic has upped its drone's tracking capabilities with AI Tracking 2.0, which can now operate down to a low altitude of 4 meters and recognize and follow hiking and vehicles.

Naturally, there are a range of flight moves too, one of which includes Waypoint (that's a pre-planned flight path that the drone follows).

All of these features point to the Atom 3 being a solid alternative to the new DJI Lito X1 — even if that drone also includes omnidirectional object avoidance — especially with its competitive pricing. The Atom 3 standard kit (with no controller) costs $429.99 / £319.99, while the bundle with the new 'RC PTD 2' controller costs $549.99 / £429.99 at Amazon and the Potensic store with pre-orders now live — I'll update this page with Australia pricing when that info is available.

In the US? No dice

US pricing for the Atom 3 is positive news for US consumers, but we don't actually know if or when the Atom 3 will land in the US. After all, the drone ban in the US doesn't just apply to DJI, but to all foreign-made drones, including those by Potensic.

Potensic is another drone manufacturer based in China, and so it faces the same barrier to entry as DJI. So for now, the Atom 3 looks like another feature-packed and affordable drone for aerial photography that drone fans in the US could miss out on.

For the rest of us, the Atom 3 is easily the best drone by Potensic yet, with a feature set that rivals the Mini 4 Pro / Lito X1, minus object avoidance. I will share my in-depth Atom 3 review once I've had more time with it.

Are you a drone user based in the US? What do you make of the drone ban currently? Make sure you vote in our poll, above.

• Ukraine wants to flood future battlefields with millions of combat drones annually
• Kyiv says its drone factories could dwarf Russian and Chinese military production
• Ukrainian drones are now reaching military and energy targets deep inside Russia

Ukraine’s defense ministry has laid out a startling industrial vision which could reshape global military manufacturing.

Deputy Defense Minister Mstislav Banik recently told NATO lawmakers that his country could produce 20 million military drones each year if allied nations commit sufficient resources to Ukrainian production lines.

This figure already exceeds the current combined output from China and Russia, yet Kyiv’s ambitions stretch even further.

Kyiv seeks massive expansion of military drone production

Some Ukrainian officials have hinted that annual manufacturing could surpass 30 million units within just a few years, a scale that would outpace every other nation on earth.

Independent military analysts estimate that Ukraine built roughly 4 million unmanned aircraft and naval drones during 2025.

The industry appears on track to expand that number to 5 or 6 million units in 2026, representing a 50% year-over-year growth rate.

For comparison, Chinese drone output is typically estimated at around 2 million annually, though the vast majority of those are civilian beginner drones rather than military systems.

Russian industry, now locked into a war that has lasted 12 years, likely produces between 1.2 and 1.8 million drones per year according to Ukrainian intelligence assessments.

Banik argued before the NATO Parliamentary Assembly that Ukraine’s drone fleet has proven decisive to battlefield success against Russian forces.

He called on international partners to strengthen support for Ukrainian manufacturing and to assist with acquiring other weapons listed on the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List.

According to the deputy minister, Ukraine has already achieved a technological advantage over Russia in drone systems and several other critical sectors.

To maintain this edge, Kyiv is requesting military support and direct investment totalling $60 billion in 2026.

Practical returns for partner nations

Ukraine claims to offer a tangible return for allied investment rather than simply requesting charitable assistance.

The country pledges to test new weapons in real combat conditions and share all technological advances and operational data with partner states.

More than 50 nations currently support Ukraine bilaterally, with Germany leading contributions at an estimated $5.8 billion in 2026, followed by Norway at roughly $2.8 billion and the UK at about $1.9 billion.

The European Union has also approved a support scheme providing up to $104 billion in loans to Ukraine.

Since early 2026, Ukraine has stepped up a strike campaign using long-range drones primarily targeting Russian energy infrastructure.

These attacks also aim at advanced weapons supply chain nodes and logistic routes connecting occupied Crimea to Russian territory.

Ukrainian drones have struck targets more than 2,000 km inside Russia, including an oil terminal fire in St. Petersburg and a guided missile frigate in drydock at the nearby Kronshtadt naval base.

Additional strike packages reportedly hit an arms manufacturing facility in the central city of Tambov and a Russian-operated military air base in occupied Crimea.

Despite these strikes, the gap between Ukraine’s stated ambitions and current verified production remains substantial.

No country has ever sustained drone manufacturing at the scale Kyiv now proposes, and supply chains for components like guidance chips and optical sensors could become severe bottlenecks.

Whether allied nations will be willing to supply $60 billion in 2026 is far from certain, and the strike successes against Russia may not be enough to convince allied nations.

Via Kyiv Post

• Volcanic minerals may allow ordinary drones to evade advanced radar detection systems
• Spray-on stealth coatings could eliminate expensive composite panels from military drone manufacturing
• Radar networks become less effective when drones return with dramatically weaker electronic signatures

A small Turkish defense research company claims it developed a spray-applied radar-absorbing coating capable of reducing drone visibility against modern detection systems.

The project, led by Turkish researcher Yunus İnce, centers around a material called Kürşat 3.0, developed during a seven-year engineering effort.

According to technical details, the coating applies directly onto aircraft surfaces instead of relying upon expensive composite stealth panels or complex structural modifications.

Volcanic materials may change how low-cost drones avoid radar detection

Kürşat 3.0 uses basalt and pumice, both volcanic rocks, as its core ingredients rather than exotic synthetic compounds.

Recent testing reportedly produced an attenuation of 43.2 decibels (dB), a dramatic reduction in the strength of a radar signal reflected to the receiver.

In practical terms, this means the radar echo from the coated drone is approximately 20,000 to 40,000 times weaker than that from an uncoated object of the same size and shape.

An attenuation figure of 43.2 decibels would place this material in genuinely competitive territory if confirmed independently.

Academic literature typically reports effective broadband radar absorption in the range of 20 to 30 decibels under standardized conditions.

Pushing substantially beyond that threshold while maintaining the simplicity of a spray application would represent a meaningful advance over commercially available products.

With 43.2dB, a drone that should be visible at several kilometers with a strong, trackable return signature would either disappear entirely from the radar screen or appear only at such close range that the defending system has virtually no time to react.

In military terms, this shrinks the detection and engagement envelope from a comfortable buffer zone down to a frantic last-second warning.

Radar stealth conventionally requires either carefully shaped airframes or expensive composite panels bonded by specialists.

This material works differently by exploiting the microscopic pore structures found in basalt and pumice.

Those natural cavities trap incoming electromagnetic waves and convert them into heat instead of reflecting energy toward the radar receiver.

The underlying scientific principle has attracted academic attention for over a decade, making the approach plausible rather than fanciful.

A sprayable formula eliminates the seams and coverage gaps that plague traditional composite panel installations on complex curved surfaces.

Why do we need drones with very low detection?

The war in Ukraine has shown that drones costing a few thousand dollars can destroy armored vehicles and disrupt supply lines at scale.

Defenders have responded by expanding radar networks and electronic warfare systems specifically designed to find and kill those drones.

Reducing a drone's radar signature complicates every stage of that detection chain, and doing so with a coating that adds negligible weight would make stealth accessible to operators using commercial hardware.

Turkey's defense industry has already proved with the Bayraktar TB2 that affordable unmanned systems can reshape battlefields before Western analysts fully appreciate the shift.

However, at the time of writing, no independent testing verified this technology, and the relevant radar frequency bands for operational use remain unspecified.

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and a single attenuation figure from unpublished testing does not yet meet that standard.

The volcanic materials themselves are inexpensive and abundant, which is scientifically reasonable.

But laboratory measurements rarely survive translation to field conditions with vibration, weather, and real-world radar frequency variations.

Until independent verification appears across operationally relevant bands, Kürşat 3.0 remains an intriguing research outcome rather than a military breakthrough.

Via Defence Blog

If you're buying your first drone, you'll want a beginner-friendly model that includes everything you need to get flying straight away. One drone that ticks all those boxes is this DJI Mini 4K at Amazon for £189 (was £242). That discount drops the four-and-a-half-star-rated drone back to its lowest price ever.

This particular bundle includes the drone, an RC-N1C controller, and one battery. That means you'll be up and flying in no time at all, capturing breathtaking 4K video.

One of the best things about the DJI Mini 4K is how portable it is. At less than 249g, you can throw it into a camera bag or rucksack and take it anywhere you want. The fact that it's now discounted by so much only sweetens the deal more.

Today's best DJI drone deal

Take a read of our in-depth DJI Mini 4K review, where our cameras editor, Timothy Coleman, took the popular drone out for a test spin. It didn't take long for him to be impressed by the high-resolution 4K video, the set of features that are perfect for beginners, and its excellent value. And don't forget, that was at full price.

Beyond this, the drone offers level 5 wind resistance, dynamic movement presets, and a battery that will last for a maximum of 31 minutes. This will be enough for most flights, but if that's going to be an issue, then we recommend investing in additional batteries.

To give you a complete picture, the Mini 4K lacks object-collision sensors and subject tracking, which will make it difficult to fly through tight spaces. If you require this feature, then the DJI Mini 4 Pro would be a viable alternative. But this Mini 4K has all the essential features you would need for your first drone at a much more reasonable price.

The Mini 4K is ideal for beginners, but if you're looking for something more advanced, then our guide to the best drones is a great place to start. And if you're set on DJI, then we have a dedicated best DJI drones buying guide just for you.

The Iran war has driven up fuel and freight costs, exposed vulnerabilities in critical supply chains, and forced investors to rethink which technologies matter most in a more volatile world.

Two themes stand out: low-cost autonomous defense systems and energy technologies that reduce exposure to fossil-fuel shocks.

Evolution of drones

The war in Ukraine has already shown what that first trend looks like in practice. After Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, one of Ukraine’s main defenses against the larger and better-resourced Russian army were Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones, which reportedly cost several million dollars.

Now, a few years later, Ukraine increasingly relies on domestically produced and locally assembled drones. For example, Vyriy, a Ukrainian drone manufacturer, says that it has localized production of frames, controllers, and radio control systems, while other components, like cameras, are provided by local companies.

Some of the company’s first-person-view drones reportedly cost as little as $500.

Another Ukrainian company, Wild Hornets, recently said a Ukrainian operator used its Sting interceptor system to shoot down two Russian drones located 500 km away, highlighting the increasing capabilities of low-cost defense systems.

Beyond the ability to test and improve drones in real-world conditions, the main reason companies can make drones cheaper and more effective is the ability to produce them at scale.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence announced plans to manufacture around 7 million drones this year alone, after producing more than 4 million in 2025. According to the ministry, currently, there are more than 200 Ukrainian companies involved in producing AI-powered drones.

Technological capabilities also play a significant role in making them widespread and effective. AI systems are being used on the front lines for target detection, obstacle avoidance, and battlefield data analysis.

Benefits beyond military

The Iran war was another reminder that warfare is changing, showing how cheap systems can make a difference. Iranian drones and missiles have targeted or threatened regional energy infrastructure, while the US, for the first time, used low-cost one-way attack drones modeled after Iranian designs.

Even before the war, investors had already ramped up investments in defense. Last year, venture capital investments in defense startups, including those that include dual-use technologies used by civilians, grew to $49.1 billion from $27.2 billion a year earlier, according to PitchBook calculations.

PitchBook also claims that autonomous systems were among the most funded startups, while counter-unmanned aerial systems and autonomous manufacturing are rapidly emerging as priorities.

I expect the Iran war also to drive even more investments in defense, particularly in drones and anti-drone systems. Oil-rich Middle Eastern countries are already looking for ways to defend themselves against Iranian threats, which will likely spur further investment.

Advances in military technology, together with falling production costs, could accelerate the development of civilian drone applications in package delivery, agriculture, aerial surveying and public-safety operations.

This can mean medicine arriving faster in remote areas, small household items delivered in minutes, and lower delivery costs. Recently, Barclays estimated that autonomous delivery costs could fall from $5–$7 per order to $1 in the long term, Reuters reported.

Energy security

Another area where the war is going to have a significant footprint is energy security. Rising oil prices due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a route that normally carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas flows, prompted the International Energy Agency (IEA) to call it the biggest energy crisis in history.

The head of IEA has warned that some European airlines have only six weeks of fuel left.

Even if the Iran war ends soon, it would be naive to expect such oil shocks to never happen again. This is another major energy shock within four years. The last one, which followed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, accelerated the push into renewables, grid infrastructure, storage, and electrification, especially in Europe.

We are likely to see a similar pattern now, and the more negatively the war affects the economy, the stronger the incentive to reduce oil exposure becomes. This should accelerate the adoption of transport powered by alternative fuels, as well as the expansion of the infrastructure needed to support it.

Advances in technology can also help reduce dependency on oil. AI tools can help forecast electricity demand, making grids more efficient and reducing unnecessary fossil-fuel backup. It can improve the integration of solar and wind by predicting generation patterns more accurately.

AI can also optimize battery storage, deciding when to store power and when to release it to the grid. And in buildings, AI can help manage heating, cooling, lighting, and ventilation in real time, cutting energy waste.

For investors, that makes the takeaway from Iran much broader than a short-term spike in oil. It is a reminder that resilience is becoming a core investment theme.

In a world of cheap drones and expensive energy insecurity, the winners are likely to be the companies that can make protection cheaper and energy systems less exposed to geopolitical shocks.

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• The FCC has extended its waiver on software updates for DJI drones
• The latest extension ends on January 1, 2029
• You can also have your say on the DJI ban

The US Federal Communications Commission’s ban on new DJI drones and its other technology has been a frustrating one for camera enthusiasts and professionals alike — as they’re set to miss out on 25 launches this year alone — but we finally have a silver lining, even if it is a small one.

Your older DJI drones should stay reliable for a little while longer.

That’s because the FCC has announced that it’s extending the waiver for certain drones to receive software updates in the US. Previously, it was set to expire on January 1, 2027, but now it will last until at least January 1, 2029 — foreign internet routers have also had their software access extended until this date (via Tom’s Hardware).

In terms of hardware access, nothing has changed, but it means that manufacturers shouldn't get blocked from releasing essential security or bug fix patches to already sold tech (at least not until 2029). Previously, this was a fear once the waiver ran out, and could have left some tech unable to function if it encountered a glitch, or turn your drone into the sort of security risk that the FCC’s ban is meant to avoid.

Meanwhile, DJI is attempting to appeal the FCC’s ruling in US courts. The ban came about when DJI was put on the 'Covered List' — a list of entities thought to be a threat to national security — though neither the FCC nor the US government has explained exactly what DJI has done to deserve this designation.

At the same time, these entities refused to perform a security audit of DJI, despite the company submitting to one.

The whole process has been a frustrating one to watch play out — especially given the excellent quality of DJI’s camera and drone tech. Hopefully, this waiver extension will help alleviate some issues, but we’ll have to wait and see how the DJI appeal goes for a more definitive verdict on the drone brand’s US fate.

Have your say

If you’re frustrated with the DJI ban, the FCC is currently giving the public a chance to submit comments on its measures — though the form closes today (May 11), so you don’t have much time left.

As highlighted on the r/drones subreddit, you just need to go to the FCC’s Submit an Express Comment page and fill in the short form; in the first box, type "26-22" to find the DJI ruling where you'll want to comment.

You will need to provide some personal information (such as your name and address), and then provide your comment on the ban. You can highlight how DJI drones have positively impacted your life, and/or you could question the confusing implementation of the ban — how it affects all of DJI’s tech rather than just its drones, or how the ban doesn’t seem to be applied fairly to other similar drone makers.

Equally, if you think the ban has had a positive impact (though we here at TechRadar wouldn’t agree), you can also leave a comment explaining why you hope the ban stays in place.

Just remember to keep your comments civil, the FCC likely won’t appreciate being bombarded with rude or hateful comments — and harsher words wouldn’t help either side’s arguments in this technology debate.

Want a glimpse of the world's best aerial photography? DJI and SkyPixel's annual photo and video contest is the place to go, and this year's winners have just been announced after the early contenders were teased a couple of months ago.

The stunning winning photos and videos of the 11th edition of the contest were selected from over 95,000 entries and 96 countries and regions — and drone pilot Filip Hrebenda scooped the grand prize in the contest's $200,000 pot with his aerial image The Gate (see below).

Contest judge Zhu Jiong described the scene as "straight out of a fairyland — layered mountains wrapped in mist.

"The image feels calm on the outside, yet somehow breathtaking."

Four judges praised the grand prize winner, saying: "The location and conditions feel rare, especially with the fog and elevation, making the scene stand out."

Judge Daniel Kordan goes on to say: "I must admit I haven't seen such a composition before, so it is a unique and fresh shot."

The remote aerial scene was taken in Buskerud, Norway, with the DJI Mavic 3 Pro — a pro triple camera drone which we gave a five-star rating, and which has since been updated with the Mavic 4 Pro. We rank the Pro series as the best camera drones for consumers.

Details on the SkyPixel contest's site suggest Hrebenda used the main 24mm camera with variable aperture, which utilizes a micro four thirds sensor – that's bigger than those used in DJI's sub-250g drones.

Hrebenda had this to say about his winning image:

"Captured in the far north of Norway during the autumn of 2025, this photograph was taken in a remote and extremely difficult-to-reach location. At sunrise, the landscape was covered by dense fog that filled the valleys and concealed the dramatic terrain.

"After a demanding ascent, we finally rose above the cloud layer, revealing this surreal and almost otherworldly view. The natural stone arch, resembling a monumental gate carved by time, stands suspended above a deep valley, surrounded by rugged cliffs and distant mountain silhouettes emerging from the sea of mist. The lone figure on the rock emphasizes the scale and raw beauty of the landscape.

"To capture this composition, finding the perfect perspective was essential. This was made possible with the help of a DJI Mavic 3 Pro drone, which allowed me to position the camera precisely and reveal the full geometry of this extraordinary natural formation."

All the winning images can be seen at the SkyPixel site and also include the early front-runner Carpet Fields, which ended up being a finalist and was captured with the older Mavic 2 Pro.

It's truly amazing the standard of photography that camera drone pilots are creating with what is relatively affordable gear.

• Drone deliveries are becoming more ambitious
• A new South Korean trial delivered fried chicken to a remote island
• It's one of 80 test runs over the past month

Delivery drone programs are getting smarter and more ambitious: a trial scheme in South Korea has successfully delivered an order of fried chicken to a customer on the remote Biyang Island, via both a drone and an autonomous four-wheel robot.

The delivery drone traveled over three kilometers (1.86 miles) of ocean to reach its destination and transfer its delicious cargo, The Korea Times reports. There's no indication of how the takeaway meal actually tasted, but the "local resident" involved didn't lodge any complaints.

This is part of an extensive test by the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA) and the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI), backed by the government in South Korea. Around 80 such deliveries have been completed in the past month.

And Biyang Island is a particularly suitable challenge for this autonomous delivery technology. Not only is the location remote, it also features narrow alleys winding through the volcanic island, which traditional delivery vehicles would struggle with.

Ready to replace existing logistics

While commercial drones typically carry payloads of around three kilograms in weight, the flying machines tested here can hold up to 40 kilograms, which means a lot of items can be packed together in a single delivery and sent off.

"It is rare to repeatedly test high-payload deliveries under such varied conditions," said KASA, as per the report in The Korea Times. "This technology is reaching a level where it can replace everyday logistics operations."

There's still plenty of work to do, however: commercial services won't be ready for another five years, as the technology is developed further, and concerns over privacy and safety are worked out with regulators.

Even if it's not ready for the masses yet, it's an exciting glimpse into the future of drone-robot deliveries, with the tech advancing rapidly — and it's those in the most remote, difficult-to-reach locations that are set to benefit the most.

There's a winning new affordable drone on the market. But while the outstanding DJI Lito has winged its way to the UK and Australia, thanks to that pesky DJI ban, US shoppers are currently missing out. If you live in the US and are looking for a budget-friendly drone to buy now (or even if you're in the UK and want to explore all your options), I've rounded up the best Lito alternatives below.

The main model to consider is the Lito's predecessor, the DJI Mini 4K, which at time of writing holds the #2 spot in TechRadar's best drone ranking. It packs some impressive specs for an affordable price, and is an especially strong choice for beginners (we crowned it "your best first drone"). You can see exactly how it matches up against its replacement in our DJI Lito X1 vs DJI Mini 4K comparison.

For content creators looking to capture short selfie video clips and photos for social media, the obvious choice is the DJI Neo 2. It's compact, simple and wallet-friendly. And if you're looking to steer clear of DJI altogether, the Potensic Atom 2 is well worth a look.

Finally, there's a curve-ball option from TechRadar's Cameras editor Tim Coleman. "A left-field alternative is a 360 camera with a long selfie stick — you can get drone-like effects with those," he explains. You could pick any option from TechRadar's best 360 cameras guide, but for those seeking to keep the price down, Tim suggests the Insta360 Invisible selfie stick paired with the Insta360 X3 camera — this model has been upgraded twice over (with the X4 and X5) but it's still available, capable, and at this point very affordable. Who needs a Lito anyway?

DJI Lito alternatives

• Ukraine scales remote interceptor drones capable of destroying aerial targets from distant protected locations
• Operators control aerial interceptors from bunkers thousands of kilometers away instead of front lines
• Demonstrations prove long-distance drone interception works across more than 1,240 miles

Ukraine has become the first country to scale remotely operated interceptor drones capable of destroying aerial targets over vast distances, opening the door to air combat carried out far from the battlefield itself.

Operators can now guide interceptor drones from secure bunkers hundreds or even thousands of kilometers away, allowing aerial targets to be destroyed without pilots or launch crews exposed to direct danger.

Ukraine’s Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov said the capability is already working in combat conditions, with confirmed interceptions taking place across long distances.

Government-backed Brave1 platform

"A year ago, through Brave1, we initiated the development and testing of remote control technology for interceptor drones. Today, we have a confirmed result — shooting down targets at distances of hundreds and thousands of kilometers," Fedorov wrote on social media.

Brave1 is a government-backed platform created to speed up development of new defense technologies through coordination between engineers and manufacturers.

Fedorov added that Ukraine is the first country to scale the remote control of interceptor drones at a systematic level, describing the effort as the creation of a new standard in air defense.

"The pilot is no longer tied to a position. The drone is in the sky — control comes from a protected environment in Kyiv, Lviv, or even abroad," he wrote.

Those changes mean interceptor operators no longer need to sit close to launch positions, allowing operations to be controlled from protected locations far from the battlefield.

"This increases interception efficiency, minimizes risks for operators, and allows capabilities to scale without being tied to the front," Fedorov wrote.

He also said that more than 10 defense manufacturers have already integrated the remote-control capability into their interceptor systems.

One recent demonstration pushed the concept into long-distance territory when Ukrainian drone manufacturer Wild Hornets flew its Sting interceptor drone across roughly 1,240 miles, or about 2,000 kilometers, while the operator remained based in northern Ukraine, according to reporting from The Kyiv Independent.

That flight relied on the company’s Hornet Vision Ctrl system to maintain continuous control across the entire route, with the system now being deployed across interceptor platforms, the news site reported.

Traditional interception missions placed pilots or crews directly into contested airspace, forcing aircraft and personnel into positions where reaction time and survival depended on seconds.

Remote interceptor systems replace those risks with long-distance command links and hardened shelters, allowing aerial engagements to take place without crews entering the sky at all.

If production continues expanding across manufacturers, interception missions could increasingly move toward remote operation rather than cockpit-based combat, reducing the number of personnel exposed during aerial defense.

• Sandook software coordinates many SSDs to avoid slowdowns from garbage collection
• Two-tier control system reroutes workloads across pooled drives in real time
• Performance gains approach theoretical limits but depend on large clustered storage environments

Researchers at MIT and Tufts University have built a storage management system called Sandook that pushes pooled SSDs closer to their theoretical limits. The project, targets a long-standing issue inside large storage clusters where identical drives rarely perform in identical ways.

Solid-state drives slow down for a number of reasons, including internal garbage collection cycles and the slower nature of write operations compared with reads. Those slowdowns can ripple across workloads when multiple applications share the same storage pool.

Rather than leaving each SSD to handle performance issues on its own, the system splits control duties across two coordinated layers that manage activity across the full drive pool.

Unleashing the potential of data center SSDs

As Blocks & Files reports, a central controller collects performance telemetry from each large SSD and revises scheduling choices about 5x per second.

Local agents inside storage servers pass along performance signals and congestion warnings as workloads change.

When a drive begins housekeeping duties such as garbage collection, the system lowers its priority and transfers traffic to healthier drives in the pool. That rerouting happens without requiring changes to applications accessing the storage.

The method builds on techniques already used in enterprise storage, including block replication for reads and log-structured writes that can land on any available device.

Trials included database processing, neural network training, large-scale image compression, and latency-critical storage services, and the system reportedly delivered between 30 and 82 percent higher raw input and output throughput compared with earlier approaches that targeted single bottlenecks.

Across pooled workloads, application performance gains ranged from 12 to 94 percent, with latency reductions reaching up to 88 percent. In some cases, storage throughput reached roughly 1.7x previous levels.

The gains come entirely from software, which means commodity off-the-shelf SSDs remain unchanged. CPU and memory overhead for monitoring dozens of drives per server was described as being minimal.

The research paper, titled “Unleashing The Potential of Datacenter SSDs by Taming Performance Variability,” is available to view here.

Despite the headline numbers, this isn’t something most consumers could run at home. The design depends on large groups of SSDs working together, along with Linux-based infrastructure and enterprise networking setups common in data centers.

That pooling effect is where most of the performance improvement comes from. Without spare drives to shift workloads onto, a single-drive system would see little benefit.

Blocks & Files notes the work will be discussed at the USENIX NSDI 2026 event in May, where the researchers plan to show how coordinated scheduling helps solve unpredictable SSD behavior across large clusters.

• LOCUST laser tested aboard USS George H.W. Bush during live drone engagement
• Palletized system deployed without permanent ship modification during demonstration
• Newer Locust versions introduce AI-assisted tracking and higher power output

Drone warfare has expanded rapidly in recent years, with large numbers of low-cost systems used across conflicts such as Ukraine and in operations linked to Iran.

Defending against repeated drone attacks has exposed the limits of traditional interceptors, leading the US military (and others) to explore laser weapons that can fire repeatedly without running out of ammunition.

AeroVironment says it has successfully demonstrated its LOCUST laser weapon system aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush during a live-fire exercise carried out with the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office.

Intended to counter smaller drones

The palletized LOCUST Laser Weapon System was deployed onto the carrier and tracked, engaged, and neutralized multiple unmanned aerial vehicles, showing that the system could operate from a moving carrier environment.

The high-energy laser is mounted in a turret that can be rolled onto different platforms. This design allows the system to operate from either its own battery bank or draw power directly from a ship, reducing the need for permanent installation work.

“LOCUST delivers effective, all-domain protection against emerging drone threats at the speed of light — on any platform, in any domain, for any mission,” said John Garrity, Vice President of Directed Energy Systems at AV.

“Rolling LOCUST onto a ship and quickly initiating operations facilitates the expanded use of high-energy lasers across the Fleet without the need for costly, time-consuming ship modifications. This is a game-changer for the Navy and for our national security.”

AeroVironment said the system demonstrated target tracking and beam control while operating aboard the carrier, and the same core system architecture is shared across multiple military services, so the technology can be used on land-based vehicles as well as ships.

The War Zone says this appears to be the first time a laser weapon of this type has been installed on a U.S. aircraft carrier, and that systems like LOCUST typically operate in the roughly 20kW power range. This places them in the category of weapons intended primarily to counter smaller drones.

TWZ also points out that lasers still face practical limits in operational settings. Beam effectiveness decreases over distance, and weather conditions such as dust, smoke, or moisture can reduce performance before the beam reaches its target.

Defense Express notes that AeroVironment has continued developing newer versions of the system, including an updated model known as Locust X3.

This version supports power levels between 20kW and 35kW and includes AI-assisted detection and tracking tools.

Defense Express also reports that shooting down one drone using Locust X3 laser system only costs five dollars, without the need for reloading, making it useful over extended periods.

• China and Ukraine are testing new robotic capabilities
• Robots are being deployed to the frontlines of the war with Russia
• Protests in China could soon be policed using squads of robots and drones

Robots can’t surrender, don’t suffer issues with morale, and won’t refuse an order. That’s why militaries and law enforcement see them as the future.

Ukraine has already employed robots in multiple roles across its armed forces - from seaborne and airborne drones, to CASEVAC and logistics vehicles - and now wants to deploy 25,000 more in frontline positions.

China is also flirting with the idea of kitting out its armed police and riot units with squads entirely made of robots, controlled by a central AI, with remote human input only to prevent the bots from being too heavy handed.

Ukraine to deploy 25,000 ground robots

In order to supplement its existing capabilities, the Ukraine Ministry of Defense has announced that it will seek to deploy an additional 25,000 robots in the first half of 2026. “Our goal — 100% of frontline logistics should be performed by robotic systems,” said Defense Minister Mykhailo Fedorov.

Since the Russian invasion, Ukraine’s industry for robots and drones has exploded with over 280 companies now actively producing systems and solutions to help the war effort.

Ukraine has already claimed to have taken a trench system using a team made entirely of robots, in what could be a first of its kind engagement. There are also novel deployments of drones and robots with mounted weapons, including machine guns and rocket launchers.

The government is also setting up a center to help the Armed Forces, General Staff, and robotics manufacturers cooperate, ensuring smooth manufacturing and deployment.

China testing riot robots

The People’s Armed Police Force (PAP) theorized a scenario where it a protest is quelled in an urban environment using a riot squad made entirely of robots.

The squad, made up of reconnaissance drones, armored vehicles, and robot dogs would isolate and detain instigators, removing the protest’s organizational backbone. The rest of the protest, cut off from the internet and lacking leadership, would then disperse on its own.

Aerial drones would use pattern recognition to identify agitators, before ‘kettling’ the protest with robotic barriers. Arrests are then made, using nets and tasers to neutralize threats.

The system would require very little human input, instead using AI as its center of command. Arrests would remain a human decision, albeit a remote one.

The scenario, set in “New City”, bears a striking resemblance to Taipei, the capital of Taiwan, which China has claimed to be an inalienable part of the mainland since the Kuomintang-led Republic of China government lost the Chinese civil war and fled to the island nation.

• Record-setting RC car reached 234.7mph in February using drone-powered drivetrain
• Project 250 redesign focuses on narrowing chassis and increasing electrical power
• Engineer aims to exceed current world record with upgraded motors and higher voltage

Stephen Wallis, a part-time motorcycle engineer from Rugby, UK, set a Guinness World Record in February 2026 when his remote control car reached 234.7mph, and he is already working on a redesigned machine built to push beyond 250mph.

The record-setting vehicle, known as The Beast, measures 3ft 2in long, about 1m, and took more than a year to design and build using 3D-printed components and high-powered drone motors.

Four motors are bolted directly to the wheels, which connect straight to the chassis to reduce mechanical losses and keep the drivetrain simple at very high speeds.

A slightly ridiculous goal: 250mph

Wallis said his interest in radio-controlled cars stems from his childhood. "It goes back to when I was eight years old and got my first radio controlled car," Wallis told the BBC.

The final recorded speed of The Beast placed the small vehicle ahead of the top speed of a production McLaren F1, offering a useful comparison with a well-known performance benchmark.

Reaching 240mph had been a private goal during the original project, although his attention has now shifted to an even more demanding target.

In a recent video update, Wallis explained how he is rebuilding the car to chase higher speeds and break his own record.

“Today, I'm going to show you exactly how I'm evolving my RC car to beat my Guinness World Record of 234.7 mph and chase a slightly ridiculous goal: 250,” he said.

The new build, known as Project 250, keeps the general layout of The Beast while introducing several mechanical and electrical upgrades.

Reducing overall width is a key change, as narrower bodywork cuts drag and helps maintain stability at higher speeds.

Larger 5215 motors are also being introduced to deliver more torque and manage heat more effectively under heavy loads. Battery capacity is increasing as well, with an additional two-cell unit raising the system to a 20-cell, 84V setup.

“I've got ideas: make it narrower, fit bigger motors, and run more voltage. Now, I need to turn those ideas into a real design,” he said.

Changes to wheel mounting and steering components were required to achieve the narrower layout, including revised adapters that place the wheel closer to the motor face.

Weight balance is another challenge, as shifting batteries and electronics can change how the car behaves at extreme speeds.

“I need to design a car capable of 250 mph and build it in time for the next speedrun season, which starts in 8 weeks,” he said.

Prototype parts have already been produced using 3D printing to confirm fit and layout and the final components will be manufactured from aluminum and carbon fiber.

• Autonomous cargo aircraft completed 120km mountain delivery in just 37 minutes
• Hybrid air and rail transport enabled fresh tea delivery within 24 hours
• CarryAll drone carries up to 400kg with 200km operational range

Chinese-founded aerospace company AutoFlight has carried out a 2-ton-class eVTOL transport trial moving fresh spring tea across mountainous terrain in Guizhou province.

The test used its CarryAll (V2000CG), an unmanned electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, to move freshly harvested tea between the cities of Anshun and Guiyang, roughly 120km apart.

That flight crossed rugged mountain terrain in 37 minutes, a trip that typically takes far longer by road due to winding routes and elevation changes common in the region.

Maximum payload of 400kg

Once the aircraft delivered the tea to Guiyang, the shipment continued by high-speed rail to Shanghai, covering close to 2,000km in total distance.

The combined use of aircraft and rail allowed the tea to reach consumers within 24 hours of harvesting, offering a different way to move time-sensitive agricultural products from remote regions.

Unlike conventional cargo aircraft, the CarryAll operates without an onboard pilot, relying on autonomous flight systems to handle navigation and route execution.

The aircraft supports a maximum payload of 400kg and has a range of up to 200km, with a cruise speed of about 180km/h, making it suited to medium-distance cargo routes where roads are slow or unreliable.

Vertical takeoff and landing capability removes the need for runways, allowing operations from compact pads near farms or logistics hubs, which could simplify deployment in mountainous or isolated areas.

AutoFlight said the CarryAll (V2000CG) holds Type, Production, and Airworthiness Certificates from the Civil Aviation Administration of China, making it one of the earliest large cargo eVTOL platforms to reach that stage of regulatory approval.

“This innovative ‘autonomous eVTOL air transfer + high-speed rail trunk line’ model breaks logistics bottlenecks in high-altitude mountainous areas. AutoFlight will join hands with more partners to extend this efficient, green autonomous cargo model to more specialty agricultural producing areas," said Li Yun, CCO of AutoFlight.

"This will help more high-quality local agricultural products reach national markets quickly, driving regional industrial upgrading and rural revitalization.”

AutoFlight's cargo aircraft have previously flown missions involving offshore platforms, intercity freight, and emergency fire-fighting support, showing how the technology is being tested beyond controlled demonstrations.

The company is also working on a six-seat passenger version, identified as the V2000EM Prosperity, which is undergoing airworthiness certification under Chinese aviation authorities.

• A Starlink outage meant 24 unmanned vessels were left bobbing in the water for almost an hour, according to a report
• Reuters claims previous incidents with flaky network connectivity highlight concerns with Starlink and controlling drones
• However, an autonomous warfare expert observed: "You accept those vulnerabilities because of the benefits you get from the ubiquity [Starlink] provides."

Tests of US Navy drone vessels have seemingly exposed weaknesses in terms of the reliance on Starlink for network connectivity with these unmanned craft.

Reuters reports that in testing that took place in August of last year, some 24 of these drone vessels – which resemble speedboats without seats – were left floating listlessly in the water off the California coast for the best part of an hour, due to a global outage that hit the Starlink broadband network.

This worrying incident, and others where flaky network connectivity had proved problematic for US operations with drones, were highlighted by an anonymous source, and in internal documents from the Navy which Reuters gained access to.

An intermittent network connection had proved problematic in tests in the weeks running up to the outage in August. Further to that, we're told that in April 2025, Navy tests involving these unmanned boats (and also airborne drones) were disrupted as Starlink "struggled to provide a solid network connection" given the high bandwidth needed due to the number of craft involved.

Reuters observed that the Navy report stated: "Starlink reliance exposed limitations under multiple-vehicle load." (Starlink wasn't the sole point of failure here, though, as there were other issues with the radios used, and a network system provided by Viasat).

The Pentagon wouldn't be drawn to respond to questions on the drone tests, and the US Navy and SpaceX declined to comment when contacted by Reuters.

Analysis: spacing out

Clearly, this is a concerning report, and it raises questions as to whether the US military should be looking at alternatives to using Starlink for controlling drones (or indeed for missile tracking). The trouble is – what are those alternatives? Nothing on the scale of what Elon Musk's SpaceX can offer, of course.

Starlink is, as Reuters points out, a cheap and commercially available service, one bristling with an array of some 10,000 low-earth orbit satellites. The report quotes Clayton Swope, a deputy director of the Aerospace Security Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, who said: "If there was no Starlink, the US ​government wouldn't have access to a global constellation of low earth orbit communications."

Regarding the network flakiness observed, Bryan Clark, an autonomous warfare expert at the Hudson Institute, added: "You ​accept those vulnerabilities because of the benefits you get from the ubiquity it [Starlink] provides."

The online arguments then run along the lines of: well, the US government should be building its own satellite system. Of course, that's a lot easier said than done, and not just from a financial perspective, because SpaceX has a key logistical advantage in terms of its capabilities to get satellites launched into orbit in a timely manner.

Just look at Amazon, which is currently engaged in building its Starlink rival, Leo. This satellite internet service was supposed to be available at the end of 2025, but it won't be until mid-2026 now (it's not yet clear if that means consumers or not, either).

As Engadget recently reported, Amazon was aiming to have 1,600 satellites in orbit by July 2026, and now it expects that Leo will comprise less than half that — around 700 — by that time. Currently, it has 241 satellites operational, a drop in a drone-filled ocean compared to Starlink – and of course it remains to be seen if that downwardly-revised 700 target for the middle of 2026 is hit.

You get the point, then, about the limited options here. Although that doesn't mean the US government couldn't investigate other ways forward in terms of much longer-term planning, mind, because clearly these kinds of systems must be robust and reliable when it comes to using them outside of testing.

• Texas drone show retells the story of Jesus using 10,000 synchronized aerial units
• Event earns four Guinness World Records including largest QR code formation
• Global drone displays continue growing in scale with creative record attempts

One of the largest drone light shows staged in the United States has broken four Guinness World Records while retelling the life of Jesus Christ in the Texas night sky.

The production combined religious storytelling with large-scale aerial visuals, pushing drone choreography to numbers rarely attempted at public events.

The Easter event was staged by Aerial Illuminations Drone Light Shows and was recognized for creating the world’s largest QR code, logo, word and flying LED screen formed entirely by drones.

From birth to resurrection

The drone show took place in Manvel, Texas, across nine nights, beginning with 5,000 drones and building to a peak of 10,000 units.

Scenes followed the life of Jesus from his birth through to the resurrection, with drones forming figures and symbols tied to key moments.

AV Magazine reports the images included Jesus with his disciples, the word Jesus spelled out in the sky, Christ riding a horse, sitting on a large throne, and a crucifixion scene presented on Good Friday.

Organizers spent more than two months preparing the show, coordinating flight paths, animation timing and safety systems across a team of more than 100 crew members.

Large formations required careful synchronization so thousands of drones could act as a single animated surface without collisions or loss of signal.

Large-scale drone displays have been growing in scale over recent years, with several attempts to push numbers higher or introduce new visual concepts.

In May 2025, more than 10,000 drones flew in Ho Chi Minh City to mark the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification.

China pushed the numbers even higher in November when nearly 16,000 drones formed a synchronized display in Liuyang, a city often called the fireworks capital of the world.

While not as impressive numbers-wise, in December 2025, 2,800 drones formed a playable version of Tetris in the skies of Dubai, and earlier this year, Apple used 3,000 drones to create a roughly 500-foot Godzilla figure above Hollywood to promote Monarch: Legacy of Monsters season two.

• FAA approves laser weapons for anti-drone operations in US airspace
• High-energy weapons "do not present an increased risk"
• Approval follows multiple airspace closures due to unapproved weapons firing

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the use of drone-killing high-energy lasers in US airspace, according to the New York Times.

The decision came on Friday after a two-month deliberation on the potential dangers the weapons could cause to aircraft in airspace protected by lasers.

Despite airspace closures to shoot down balloons and a friendly-fire incident involving a Customs and Border Protection drone, FAA testing has “determined that these systems do not present an increased risk to the flying public.”

Anti-drone laser weapons approved for US airspace

The FAA approval doesn’t note any determinations on if the weapons posed zero risk to aircraft, but instead stated that if the weapons did happen to come into contact with an aircraft, the damage would be minimal - which is hardly reassuring.

Additionally, pilots flying within airspaces protected by laser weapons will be issued an advisory by the FAA.

The FAA has had several moments of conflict with the Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security after high-energy lasers were used without FAA approval, leading to two airspace shutdowns over El Paso and Fort Hancock in Texas.

The first incident, on February 10 2026, saw Customs and Border Protection shoot down a metallic balloon using a high-energy laser weapon on loan from the Pentagon. The FAA immediately put into place an airspace closure up to 18,000 feet over El Paso for 10 days, but the restrictions were lifted just a few hours later under pressure from the White House. A senior aide to President Donald Trump labelled the incident as an FAA “f**k-up”.

Then, on February 26, a second incident saw high-energy laser weapons fired at a “seemingly threatening” drone flying within the vicinity of the US-Mexico border, which resulted in the FAA having to close the airspace around Fort Hancock. The drone was successfully brought down, but was later found to have been flown by the Customs and Border Protection.

Both incidents brought to light a lack of concern for the regulations surrounding the new laser deployments. The Pentagon is required by federal law to coordinate with the Transportation Department and the FAA before using new anti-drone technology.

Following the agreement between the FAA and the Defense Department, US Army Brigadier General Matt Ross said, “By working hand-in-hand with the FAA and our interagency partners, the Department of War is proving that these cutting-edge capabilities are safe, effective, and ready to protect all air travelers from illicit drone use in the national airspace.”

Sensing that the FAA may have been pressured into approving the technology for use, Democrat Senator Maria Cantwell of Washington, who is one of the heads on the committee that oversees aviation, has requested that both the Pentagon and FFA present a briefing on how the agreement was made.

I've been tirelessly scanning through today's 'Spring Deal Days' sale at Amazon, and I don't think there's a better deal going right now than the DJI Mini 4K drone for £189 (was £269).

This drone was already a great value, but today's price smashes the previous record-low (£229) by quite a wide margin. It's a great opportunity to pick up a model that we still rank at number one on our best budget drone buyer's guide.

In short, if you’re looking for an easy way to get started with drones, the Mini 4K is a great place to begin. Weighing just 249g, it’s incredibly lightweight and portable, yet still manages to offer up to 31 minutes of flight time, a control range of around 10km, and crisp 4K video capture. Features like Level 5 wind resistance and a three-axis gimbal also help keep your footage smooth and stable, even when conditions aren’t perfect.

The drone is particularly approachable for newcomers thanks to the DJI Fly app, which includes handy tools such as one-tap takeoff and an automatic return-to-home function. One thing to note, however, is that the Mini 4K doesn’t feature obstacle avoidance, so it’s best to fly cautiously (especially while you’re still getting used to the controls).

DJI Mini 4K drone deal at Amazon

• See more: check out all of today's drone deals at Amazon

A powerful drone, despite its size and price

The price included above is for the standard DJI Mini 4K package, which includes the drone, one battery, and a controller. If you're looking to maximise flight time (and value), you could also consider getting the 2-battery combo for £229 (was £329). That tends to be cheaper than buying the accessories separately, so it's definitely a good option overall. Annoyingly, the two-battery Fly More combo is already all sold out, so it's probably worth picking this one up sooner rather than later if you're interested.

For more information, check out our full DJI 4K Mini review for a detailed breakdown of this model, including sample pictures and footage from our testing.

More of today's Amazon Spring Sale highlights

• Amazon Devices: Fire TV & Blink from £13.99
• Apple: AirPods & Apple Watch from £139
• Appliances: up to 30% off Ninja & De'Longhi
• Clothing: up to 50% off Sketchers & Crocs
• Essentials: from £5
• Gaming: up to 50% off PS5 & Switch games
• Headphones: Sony & Shokz from £59
• Health & Beauty: up to 60% off Philips & Oral-B
• Laptops: from £149.99
• Smart home: up to 50% off cameras & doorbells
• Smartwatches: Apple & Huawei from £99
• Tablets: Fire & Galaxy Tabs from £59.99
• Toys: up to 30% off Lego
• TVs: from £139.99
• Vacuums: up to 30% off Shark & Vax

• DJI teases its 'flagship' Avata 360 drone
• It will shoot 8K 360 degree video
• Launch is set for March 26 at 5am PT / 8am ET / 12pm GMT / 10pm AEST

After months of rumors and speculation, the DJI Avata 360 is official, after DJI shared the clearest teaser of them all — revealing the drone's name, core specs, and launch date.

The Avata 360 is set to be DJI's first-ever 360-degree drone, equipped with 8K video recording. It'll take on the excellent Antigravity A1, which was the world's first true 360-degree drone.

'Above It All, See It All' says the trailer, confirming the 'flagship' Avata 360's upcoming unveil on March 26 at 5am PT / 8am ET / 12pm GMT / 10pm AEST, which is a little over two weeks to go as I type these words.

There's little else to go on from the teaser. Still, I'm excited about the Avata 360, especially after all the recent rumors. For example, I've seen leaked pictures and even a mysterious DJI teaser last week that contained aerial footage, including the tiny planet effect made with a 360-degree camera.

Why the Avata 360 excites me

I've personally tested the Antigravity A1, which is the only true 360-degree consumer drone. It's an excellent first 8K drone from the Insta360-incubated start up, that is further improving with firmware updates. However, it's about to be joined by the Avata 360.

DJI's Avata 360 has a leg up in that it settles into an already formidable DJI drone ecosystem, with established accessories including motion controllers, goggles, and batteries.

And rather than being a 360 drone first and foremost, it looks more versatile, like one of DJI's FPV drones from the Avata line, which also shoots 360-degree video (see some clips below, which we can only assume are shot with the Avata 360).

That's if previous leaks are anything to go by. One such rumor suggests that one trick up the Avata 360's sleeve will be a single lens mode, meaning the gimbal-mounted camera unit can rotate from a 360 degree mode — that's twin lenses with one pointing directly up and the other directly down for complete coverage — to a single lens mode with the camera pointing straight forward, much like in the Avata 2.

I would also expect the Avata 360's list price to sit a little lower than the Antigravity A1's, because DJI is typically aggressive with its pricing. And there could be good news for DJI fans in the US. Rumors suggest the Avata 360 could be a DJI product that was registered before the December 2025 cut-off for FCC approval, meaning it could hit stores in the US. Many will hope that's the case, and we'll find out soon enough on March 26.

• DJI officially teases a new drone launch, coming soon
• Based on the teaser video, it's likely to be the rumored DJI Avata 360
• A Pro version of the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 has leaked too

DJI has confirmed that another drone launch is imminent, and based on the video it's included in the launch teaser, it looks very much like it'll be the rumored DJI Avata 360 — while the leaks around DJI's next vlogging camera have taken another twist.

The drone teaser comes straight from the @DJIGlobal account on X, which means we're hopeful of a global launch for the upcoming drone. Despite new DJI products now being banned in the US, it's possible that DJI was able to get regulatory approval before the ban came into force in December.

And given the shots in the teaser video — including a classic 'tiny planet' shot — it's almost certain that this is a drone with 360-degree imaging skills, most likely the rumored DJI Avata 360, though it's not mentioned by name.

The 360-degree drone has leaked extensively over the last few weeks, and is rumored to be coming with a single-lens mode too, that should help it stand out from its main rival, the Antigravity A1.

Only a few days ago, Notebookcheck reported on hands-on footage of the DJI Avata 360 appearing online, so it seems a launch is now very close. DJI hasn't given us a date or a time, but we should get an official reveal any day now.

The Pocket goes Pro

In the meantime, there are yet more leaks around the DJI Osmo Pocket vlogging camera. Veteran tipster Igor Bogdanov has posted some new shots purportedly showing off the device — and they give us our first look at a potential Pro model.

Most previous leaks around this camera have shown off a device very much like the current DJI Osmo Pocket 3 in terms of its design, albeit with a couple of extra console buttons. However, this new Pro leak shows the addition of an extra camera on top, together with a protective hood.

While there had been talk of a dual-camera setup in earlier rumors, the most recent leaks just mentioned one standard model. It would seem that when this next generation of DJI's pocket vlogging camera does break cover, there'll be two models to choose between — with the Pro edition no doubt coming with a higher price tag.

Like the DJI Avata 360, it's plausible that the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 was registered just in time to avoid being banned in the US. As soon as DJI makes either of these products official, we will of course let you know.