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Palladyne Defense integrates embodied AI, avionics, and U.S. manufacturing to support modernization priorities Palladyne AI has announced a major shift in its defense strategy with the launch of Palladyne Defense, a new division created through the acquisitions of GuideTech LLC and two Crucis companies: Warnke Precision Machining and MKR Fabricators. The company says the combined… Read more: Palladyne AI Forms New Defense Division Through Strategic Acquisitions

Autonomous counter-UAS has become one of the most urgent topics in modern defense, as rapidly evolving drone tactics outpace traditional protection systems. In this guest post, Nolan Bowlus of AimLock examines why autonomy and multi-sensor integration are now essential to staying ahead of emerging battlefield threats.  DRONELIFE does not pay or accept payment for guest… Read more: The New Front Line: How Autonomous C-UAS Is Transforming Battlefield Defense

At a major security conference in Vilnius, the EU’s Defence Commissioner says Europe must scale drone and counter-drone systems fast as threats rise on NATO’s eastern flank. A Clear Warning from Vilnius Andrius Kubilius, the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, opened the Defending Baltics 2025 conference in Vilnius with a direct message. He said… Read more: Europe “Not Ready” for Drone Warfare: Kubilius Warns at Defending Baltics 2025

Proposal aims to update federal law to address video-based surveillance of U.S. defense sites Senator Ashley Moody has asked congressional leaders to include her proposed “Drone Espionage Act” in the fiscal year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act. The legislation, introduced earlier this year and led in the House by Representative Jen Kiggans, is designed to… Read more: Senator Moody Seeks Inclusion of “Drone Espionage Act” in FY 2026 NDAA

New awards follow a surge in UAS procurement across the U.S. military The U.S. Air Force has awarded Skydio two initial multi-million dollar contracts to expand the use of advanced autonomous drones across key operational units. According to the company, “Skydio, the leading U.S.-based drone manufacturer and world leader in autonomous flight technology, in partnership… Read more: U.S. Air Force Awards Skydio Contracts to Expand Advanced Autonomy Across Mission-Critical Units

SkySafe offers Forensics as a Service to aid investigations of drone incidents By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill As police departments, government agencies and operators of critical infrastructure wrestle with the growing threats from maliciously operated drones, to date the focus has been on detecting these UAVs, identifying their operators and somehow mitigating their flights… Read more: SkySafe Introduces New Forensics Service to Strengthen Drone Incident Investigations

At 151 grams, the Neo 2 brings advanced tracking and safety features to beginner-friendly flight DJI has launched the Neo 2, a small and lightweight personal camera drone designed to make aerial filming easier for beginners. Weighing just 151 grams, it is the company’s lightest and most compact drone equipped with omnidirectional obstacle sensing. DJI… Read more: DJI Launches Neo 2: A Compact Follow-Me Camera Drone with Big Upgrades

New optimization system aims to reduce drone-related disruptions and support airport continuity Omnisys has released its BRO C-UAS platform, a real-time optimization system designed to help airports respond to unauthorized drone activity. According to the company, the system gives airports the ability to act faster and with greater confidence during drone incidents, which have caused… Read more: Omnisys Introduces BRO C-UAS Platform for Airport Protection

The Los Angeles-based firm secures major funding to scale up its radar solutions for unmanned aerial systems. In a signal moment for the unmanned systems industry, CHAOS Industries announced that it has raised US $510 millionin a Series D funding round, bringing its valuation to approximately US $4.5 billion. Founded in 2022 and headquartered in… Read more: CHAOS Industries Raises $510 Million to Expand Drone Threat Detection Radar Systems

Federal agencies, state and local officials, and industry innovators gathered in Washington D.C. this week to discuss unlawful use of unmanned aircraft systems. The White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 co-hosted the “Countering the Threat: CUAS Industry and SLTT Grant Forum” alongside DRONERESPONDERS and the Commercial Drone Alliance, bringing together stakeholders… Read more: White House Task Force, Industry Leaders Coordinate Counter-Drone Efforts Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026

Partnership expands Amprius’ international presence and supports next-generation battery commercialization Amprius Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: AMPX) has announced the creation of the Amprius Korea Battery Alliance, a strategic initiative designed to strengthen the company’s international footprint and accelerate the commercialization of advanced silicon anode battery technologies. The new alliance builds on Amprius’ technical and manufacturing base… Read more: Amprius Launches Korea Battery Alliance to Advance Global Energy Supply Chain

Acquisition Overview Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) has announced an agreement to acquire control of Hawthorne Municipal Airport (KHHR) in Los Angeles for approximately $126 million in cash. The 80-acre site will serve as both the operational hub and artificial intelligence (AI) testbed for the company’s planned Los Angeles air taxi network. The transaction remains subject… Read more: Archer Aviation to Acquire Los Angeles Airport as Strategic Air Taxi Hub and AI Testbed

As the war in Ukraine continues, the country has achieved something few could have predicted three years ago. Once a consumer of imported drone technology, Ukraine now produces an estimated four million drones every year—more than all NATO countries combined. According to reporting from the Kyiv Post and other defense sources, this surge has transformed… Read more: Ukraine’s Drone Boom: How Wartime Innovation Is Reshaping the Global Drone Industry

Zipline, Walmart expand drone deliveries in DFW area By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill An increasing number of people are getting delivery of everyday items delivered to their doorsteps via drone, in the Dallas/Fort Worth area of Texas and in other locations across the U.S. Earlier this month Zipline, the operator of the world’s largest… Read more: From Store to Sky: Zipline and Walmart Grow Drone Delivery Network in Texas

XTEND Reality Inc. has secured a significant fixed-price contract from the U.S. Department of War’s Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict to develop and deliver next-generation AI-enabled affordable close quarter modular effects FPV drone kits (ACQME-DK). Announced on Veterans Day, the competitive award recognizes XTEND’s leadership in one-way attack (OWA)… Read more: XTEND Secures Multi-Million-Dollar DoD Contract for AI-Enabled One-Way Attack Drone Systems

Skyports Drone Services has launched the “BlueWater 2” maritime drone demonstrator, setting a new benchmark for green technology integration in the UK’s maritime sector. Backed by Innovate UK’s Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition (CMDC 6) and UK SHORE, the project will trial an array of cutting-edge drone operations designed to support emissions reduction, smart shipping, port… Read more: Skyports Drone Services Launches “BlueWater 2” Maritime Drone Demonstrator to Advance Green Shipping

Commercial drones have evolved far beyond their origins as simple flying cameras. Today, real performance is defined not by flight time or range, but by the intelligence, precision, and efficiency of the payloads they carry.  In this guest post, Vladimir Spinko explains how payload capabilities define ROI.  DRONELIFE does not accept or make payment for… Read more: Beyond Flight: How Drone Payload Capabilities Define Real-World Value and Efficiency

Multiple unidentified unmanned aerial vehicles recently entered restricted airspace above Belgium’s Doel Nuclear Power Plant. The event has raised serious concerns about the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure across Europe. The incident follows several recent sightings of drones over Belgian military bases and airports. Authorities have described the activity as coordinated and sophisticated, not the… Read more: Unidentified Drone Incursions at Belgium Nuclear Plant Highlight Growing Critical Infrastructure Threat

According to a recent article by Reuters, the United States Army is preparing a major acquisition push in unmanned systems, with a goal of procuring at least one million drones over the next two to three years. A Massive Increase in Scale The Army currently buys about 50,000 drones each year. The plan to scale… Read more: US Army Plans to Acquire One Million Drones, Marking a Historic Expansion

Bills would give state, local police power to bring down drones By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill A bill being considered by the Michigan state legislature would give non-federal law enforcement officers in the state the authority to disable or destroy an unmanned aircraft flying in a manner that poses a risk to public safety… Read more: Michigan Bill Seeks to Expand Police Authority Over Rogue Drones