LexisNexis patent analysis finds China leads in patent volume, while U.S. patent strength has caught up and emerging drone IP spans six countries For years, DJI has been the dominant manufacturer in the commercial drone market. Now, U.S. policy is pushing the domestic market toward a broader supply chain. In December 2025, the Federal Communications Commission added … [Read more...] about The Drone Industry Is More Global Than You Think
drone supply chain
Rincell Debuts New Drone Battery Cell at DroneX
The Fremont cell maker makes its European debut in London with an NDAA-compliant tabless 21700 cell rated for 100A continuous discharge and already shipping to drone manufacturers. Rincell, a U.S. battery cell manufacturer headquartered in Fremont, California, will unveil the RC50T at DroneX, held September 29-30, 2026 at ExCeL London. The show marks the company's first public … [Read more...] about Rincell Debuts New Drone Battery Cell at DroneX
Army Drone Magnet Deal Raises a Bigger Question: When Can the Supply Chain Be Fully Domestic?
Vulcan Elements already makes rare earth magnets in North Carolina and is building a larger plant. Public figures do not yet show when supply could match the Army’s production goal. The U.S. Army has selected Vulcan Elements to supply rare earth magnets for its SkyFoundry drone initiative, Axios reported Wednesday. The magnets will support production of brushless motors for … [Read more...] about Army Drone Magnet Deal Raises a Bigger Question: When Can the Supply Chain Be Fully Domestic?
From Cars to Drones: Birdstop Taps Detroit’s Auto Supply Chain to Scale U.S. Manufacturing
UAV maker turns to auto industry as source of domestic components By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill While Silicon Valley is well-known as a mecca for the launch of flashy high-tech firms, and Detroit as the home of the older, more staid and much less exciting automotive industry, for one autonomous security drone startup the move from the former area to the latter made … [Read more...] about From Cars to Drones: Birdstop Taps Detroit’s Auto Supply Chain to Scale U.S. Manufacturing
Batteries Were Boring. That Was a Feature. It’s Gone.
The shift toward a more secure domestic drone supply chain is forcing manufacturers to rethink components they once took for granted. In this guest post, Howard Alt, CEO of Micantis, argues that changing battery requirements present drone OEMs with more than a compliance challenge: they offer an opportunity to take greater control of battery design, performance, data and supply … [Read more...] about Batteries Were Boring. That Was a Feature. It’s Gone.
