DARPA challenges innovators to create muscular drones By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill Heavy-lift drones, the workhorses of the drone ecosystem, face a significant obstacle to their widespread adoption for military and commercial uses: their payload-to-weight ratio is low, typically far below one-to-one for multirotor UAVs. Hoping to solve this problem, the Defense … [Read more...] about DARPA Launches $6.5 Million Challenge to Reinvent Heavy-Lift Drones
drone payload
RPX Technologies Lands Embir-3 Thermal Camera on Blue UAS Framework
The Stillwater, Oklahoma firm secures NDAA compliance and DIU listing for its compact thermal imaging payload aimed at unmanned aircraft and loitering munitions. RPX Technologies has added its Embir-3 thermal camera to the Blue UAS Framework. The Stillwater, Oklahoma-based company announced the listing on May 8, 2026. The camera is now available as a trusted thermal imaging … [Read more...] about RPX Technologies Lands Embir-3 Thermal Camera on Blue UAS Framework
UAVOS Tests Stratospheric Drone Payload for Earth Observation
UAVOS has announced successful flight testing of an advanced optoelectronic payload system integrated aboard the ApusNeo 18, a solar-powered high-altitude pseudo-satellite developed in partnership with Mira Aerospace. The stratospheric drone payload demonstrated impressive earth observation capabilities during recent test flights conducted from 15,000 meters … [Read more...] about UAVOS Tests Stratospheric Drone Payload for Earth Observation
Quantum Solutions Expands SWIR Drone Payload Lineup
Quantum Solutions, a UK-based imaging technology company, has expanded its lineup of quantum-dot shortwave infrared (SWIR) drone payloads designed to capture data beyond the visible spectrum. The company's Q.Fly family now includes multiple mission-specific configurations—including the Q.Fly Water system for real-time moisture mapping—each built around proprietary quantum-dot … [Read more...] about Quantum Solutions Expands SWIR Drone Payload Lineup
