It's become a tradition! For the last two years, Matt Sloane of SkyfireAI gave us his predictions for the drone industry... and he wasn't wrong. Here's the 2026 update! Matt's take on the FCC ruling, the big winners and losers, and what happens as the drone industry enters its "awkward teenage phase." DRONELIFE does not accept or make payment for guest posts Drone Industry … [Read more...] about Back for Another Year: SkyfireAI’s Annual Drone Industry Predictions for 2026 (Guest Post)
Drones in the News
How Much Should a Military FPV Drone Cost? The Marine Corps Just Set a Number
Marine Corps RFI Calls for Low-Cost FPV Drones: Under $4,000 Per Airframe The U.S. Marine Corps has put industry on notice: it wants first person view (FPV) capable small UAS in huge numbers, at low cost, and built to be modified and repaired at the edge. A new Sources Sought Notice from NAVAIR’s PMA-263 is not a formal solicitation, but it clearly signals where Marine … [Read more...] about How Much Should a Military FPV Drone Cost? The Marine Corps Just Set a Number
US-Designed AI Chips Power Foreign Drones at CES Even as FCC Rules Could Chill Their Future
CES 2026 starts January 6, and Ambarella’s latest edge-AI technology is back in the drone spotlight. The US-headquartered semiconductor company announced that its CV5 AI vision system-on-chip (SoC) is powering the new Antigravity A1, a compact drone positioned as the world’s first all-in-one 8K 360-degree aerial camera. The aircraft is being demonstrated at CES as a showcase … [Read more...] about US-Designed AI Chips Power Foreign Drones at CES Even as FCC Rules Could Chill Their Future
FAA Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Drone Delivery: Why Industry Stakeholders Should Comment Before January 8
A Nationwide Environmental Framework With Long-Term Implications Comments are due January 8, 2026 on the FAA's Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment (PEA) evaluating the potential environmental impacts of commercial drone package delivery operations conducted under Part 135 across the United States. Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the FAA must assess … [Read more...] about FAA Draft Programmatic Environmental Assessment for Drone Delivery: Why Industry Stakeholders Should Comment Before January 8
ZenaTech Expands North American Drone-as-a-Service Network With Three New Acquisitions
New U.S. and Canadian holdings strengthen land surveying and service capabilities while supporting growth in key industry sectors ZenaTech, Inc. (Nasdaq: ZENA) (FSE: 49Q) (BMV: ZENA) has announced the completion of three new Drone as a Service acquisitions that expand its North American footprint and add new service capabilities across the U.S. and Canada. The company reported … [Read more...] about ZenaTech Expands North American Drone-as-a-Service Network With Three New Acquisitions
