Inside SES.AI, advanced battery chemistry, AI-driven materials discovery and global manufacturing illustrate the challenge of building the industrial base beneath America’s growing drone market. On the factory floor at SES.AI's Massachusetts facility, the challenge of building a secure U.S. drone supply chain becomes tangible. Batteries are being developed for applications … [Read more...] about Finding the Missing Piece of America’s Drone Supply Chain
US drone industry
Autel Challenges FCC Covered List Decision, Distances Itself from DJI
Drone maker argues FCC relied on broad assumptions instead of company-specific analysis In a sharply worded filing with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), drone manufacturer Autel Robotics is pushing back against the agency’s decision to place its products on the FCC’s Covered List. The filing makes one point especially clear: Autel does not want to be treated as … [Read more...] about Autel Challenges FCC Covered List Decision, Distances Itself from DJI
Industrial Policy and Wright’s Law: A New Perspective on Building the U.S. Drone Industry
At the AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2026 conference this week, Red Cat Holdings executive Brendan Stewart delivered one of the more historically grounded and economically detailed discussions of the event, arguing that rebuilding the U.S. drone industry will require long-term industrial policy, manufacturing scale, and patience. Stewart, Senior Vice President of Regulatory and Government … [Read more...] about Industrial Policy and Wright’s Law: A New Perspective on Building the U.S. Drone Industry
AgEagle Rebrands as EagleNXT: Interview with the CEO
AgEagle adopts name change, readies for changes in ag drone markets By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill In order to portray the company’s growth beyond the agricultural drone markets it currently serves, AgEagle Aerial Systems is rebranding itself as EagleNXT. In a statement, the company said the rebrand reflects EagleNXT’s mission to produce drones, sensors, and … [Read more...] about AgEagle Rebrands as EagleNXT: Interview with the CEO
Call for Unity and Legislative Progress at Commercial UAV Expo Keynote
As legislative efforts to ban or restrict Chinese-made drones intensify in the U.S., the US drone industry finds itself increasingly divided. Chinese drone manufacturer DJI dominates the global market with an estimated 65-85% market share, making it the platform of choice for many U.S. drone service providers, first responders, and software companies. However, growing concerns … [Read more...] about Call for Unity and Legislative Progress at Commercial UAV Expo Keynote
