FAA, DoD, and industry partners use Grand Forks test environment to develop scalable systems for UAS, logistics, and counter-UAS coordination At AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2026 in Detroit, officials from the FAA, Department of War (DoW), test sites, and industry described a growing effort to normalize drone operations within the National Airspace System (NAS). The initiative, known as … [Read more...] about Project ULTRA Aims to Normalize Drone Operations in Shared Airspace
unmanned aircraft systems
AeroVironment Acquires ESAero in $200M Deal, Expanding Engineering Capabilities for Defense and Autonomous Aircraft
Acquisition adds advanced aircraft design and manufacturing expertise as the defense drone industry continues to consolidate. U.S. drone manufacturer AeroVironment (NASDAQ: AVAV) has acquired aerospace engineering firm Empirical Systems Aerospace in a deal valued at approximately $200 million, expanding the company’s engineering capabilities as demand for unmanned aircraft … [Read more...] about AeroVironment Acquires ESAero in $200M Deal, Expanding Engineering Capabilities for Defense and Autonomous Aircraft
FAA Highlights Public Safety Drone Progress at DRONERESPONDERS National Conference
FAA official emphasizes regulatory progress, BVLOS rulemaking, and collaboration as public safety drone programs expand nationwide At the DRONERESPONDERS National Public Safety UAS Conference held March 10, 2026 in Williamsburg,VA Federal Aviation Administration leadership highlighted the rapid evolution of drones in public safety and the agency’s ongoing efforts to support … [Read more...] about FAA Highlights Public Safety Drone Progress at DRONERESPONDERS National Conference
Kansas City Police Move Forward With DJI For DFR Program Expansion
By Dronelife Features Editor Jim Magill The Kansas City, Missouri Police Department has continued to expand its current drones as first responders (DFR) program, despite concerns that its use of drones and equipment made by Chinese company DJI could raise security issues. In January Chief Stacey Graves Police created a specialized DFR unit, with four officers who are … [Read more...] about Kansas City Police Move Forward With DJI For DFR Program Expansion
New York Preps Counter-UAS for FIFA
(Editor’s note: This story is part of a series of reports on efforts to establish new counter-UAS protocols in the U.S. to protect high-profile sporting events and critical infrastructure from the potential threats posed by drones flown by careless or hostile actors.) New York state will have the necessary counter-UAS equipment and trained personnel to operate it, in time … [Read more...] about New York Preps Counter-UAS for FIFA
