January 2025 Edition: Navigating the Drone Frontier

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News From Around The World

Genius NY Accelerator for Uncrewed Systems Opens 2025 Applications

GENIUS NY the world’s largest business accelerator for uncrewed aerial systems, is now accepting applications for its ninth round, offering over $3 million in investments. With a $1 million grand prize and a commitment to Central New York’s thriving innovation ecosystem, this yearlong program is a game-changer for drone industry startups

DJI Launches All-in-One Vlog Camera Drone with DJI Flip

DJI has unveiled the DJI Flip, a groundbreaking all-in-one vlog camera drone designed for ultimate safety and creativity. Weighing under 249 g, this compact marvel features foldable propeller guards, a 48MP camera, and 4K video capabilities—perfect for beginner pilots and seasoned creators alike

Avinor selects Thales to deploy Norway’s next-generation nationwide UTM

Avinor has entrusted Thales Aerospace to revolutionise Norway’s airspace with a cutting-edge nationwide Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) system. This collaboration aims to seamlessly integrate unmanned and manned aviation, setting a new benchmark in compliance, scalability, and advanced air mobility readiness.

Innovations

EPFL Builds Bird-Like Drone That Walks, Hops, and Flies

EPFL researchers have revolutionized drone design with RAVEN, a groundbreaking bird-inspired drone that can walk, hop, and fly autonomously. This innovative technology, developed by the Laboratory of Intelligent Systems, pushes the boundaries of unmanned aerial vehicles by enabling access to environments previously out of reach for conventional drones

ZenaTech Advances Heavy-Lift Gas-Powered ZenaDrone for Defense Markets

ZenaTech Inc has unveiled its ambitious plan to revolutionize defense drone capabilities with the development of a gas-powered ZenaDrone 1000, designed for extended flight durations tailored to U.S. Defense and NATO markets. This cutting-edge innovation aims to meet stringent military demands, with plans underway to pitch it to the U.S. Air Force under the SBIR Long-Duration Aircraft Program

British Soldiers Successfully Test Radiowave Drone Killer Weapon

British soldiers have achieved a groundbreaking milestone by successfully testing a Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) capable of neutralizing swarms of drones with unparalleled precision. This game-changing system offers near-instant effect at an astonishingly low cost of just 10p per shot, redefining the future of air defense

Contracts, Investments & Partnerships

Spexi Secures $11.5M to Drive Global Drone Expansion

Spexi the world's largest and fastest-growing standardized ultra-high-resolution drone imagery network, has secured $11.5 million in Series A funding led by Blockchange Ventures. This milestone underscores Spexi’s pivotal role in revolutionizing aerial imagery, as its scalable global network powers emerging applications in autonomous systems, smart infrastructure, AI, and gaming—all while championing near-zero emissions

Foresight Secures $2.5M Autonomous Drone Deal in India by 2026

Foresight Automotive has signed an agreement to integrate its advanced 3D perception technology into autonomous drones for a leading Indian defense supplier, with expected revenue of $2.5 million by 2026 and a potential $16 million by 2029.

D-Fend Secures $31M to Strengthen Cyber Counter-Drone Dominance

D-Fend Solutions , a global leader in RF cyber-based counter-drone technology, has secured $31M in a new funding round led by Israel Growth Partners. This investment reinforces the company's pivotal role in safeguarding critical environments against the rising threat of rogue drones through innovative, non-kinetic takeover solutions.

Regulations & Certifications

EASA Unveils SAIL III UAS Design Compliance Standards

The Airworthiness Task Force (AW TF) has unveiled critical developments in Means of Compliance (MoC) for UAS operating under Specific Assurance Integrity Level (SAIL) III, addressing the stringent safety and design objectives outlined in SORA. This groundbreaking framework empowers UAS designers to align their systems with operational safety objectives (OSOs) through standardized compliance declarations, setting a new benchmark for airworthiness in the drone industry

Development and Regulations of Civil Drones in Switzerland

Switzerland is paving the way for advanced drone operations. The new 'Swiss Drone Strategy' highlights the imminent launch of the nation's first U-space infrastructure in Zurich and emphasizes a data-driven approach to regulation

Drone Pilots Arrested, Wildfire Response Threatened

In a stark reminder of the critical safety concerns surrounding drone operations, authorities in Southern California have arrested multiple drone pilots amidst raging wildfires. These incidents, including a collision with a firefighting aircraft, highlight the urgent need for responsible and informed drone usage in emergency situations

Drone Logistics & BVLOS

UAE Grants First BVLOS License for Drone Deliveries

Keeta Drone, a leading Chinese drone logistics operator, has achieved a significant milestone by securing the UAE's first commercial Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone delivery license. This groundbreaking achievement marks a crucial step in Keeta Drone's global expansion and positions the UAE as a pioneer in advanced drone technology.

DSV Launches Commercial Drone Route for Offshore Wind

DSV - Global Transport and Logistics expands its drone delivery network in Germany with the launch of a new commercial route servicing North Sea wind farms. This groundbreaking initiative marks a significant step forward in offshore logistics, providing a faster and more reliable solution for transporting critical spare parts and tools.

Amazon Partners with ENAV for Italian Drone Delivery

Italy has achieved a groundbreaking milestone in drone technology, becoming the first European nation to authorize commercial drone deliveries. Amazon in partnership with ENAV successfully conducted its inaugural test flight in Abruzzo, marking a significant step towards launching this innovative service within the year

Drones For Good

FAA Releases Drone Playbook for Public Safety

The FAA has released a crucial new resource for public safety personnel. The 'Public Safety Small Drone Playbook' provides valuable guidance on investigating unauthorized drone operations. This tool will empower law enforcement agencies to effectively address potential hazards and ensure safe drone integration

Drones Reveal Hidden Fortress in Caucasus

Drone technology has revolutionized archaeological research, as demonstrated by a recent study at Dmanisis Gora. Utilizing high-resolution aerial imagery, researchers uncovered the true scale of this 3,000-year-old fortress, revealing a significantly larger structure than previously understood. This groundbreaking discovery challenges existing assumptions about ancient settlement patterns in the South Caucasus.

Remotely Piloted Aircraft in Aerial Firefighting

As wildfires rage across the globe, the demand for innovative firefighting solutions is critical. This article explores the increasing role of remotely piloted aircraft (drones) in combating wildfires, examining their potential to enhance firefighter safety, improve situational awareness, and ultimately, save lives and protect our environment

Defense News

Ukrainian Military Acquired More Than 1 Million Drones in 2024

Ukraine has significantly bolstered its military capabilities through the acquisition of over 1.2 million unmanned aerial vehicles in 2024. This substantial drone fleet, encompassing reconnaissance, strike, and kamikaze systems, has become a critical component in the ongoing conflict.

AgEagle Delivers Final Drones to French Army

AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. has successfully completed a landmark order with the French Army, delivering the final 15 eBee VISION drones. This $3.4 million order, the largest in the company's history, underscores the growing demand for advanced UAS solutions in defense applications

€960,000 Up for Grabs in Frontex C-UAS Contest

Frontex the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, has launched a C-UAS Prize Contest with a total prize pool of €960,000. This initiative invites innovators to present cutting-edge solutions to effectively counter unauthorized drone activity at the EU's external borders, enhancing the agency's border security capabilities.