For clarity and depth, we’ve divided our coverage of the recent Congressional hearing on drone activity into two parts. This article, Part 1, focuses on federal officials’ testimony regarding unexplained drone incursions in New York and New Jersey and the broader challenges facing counter-drone operations. Part 2 will delve into insights from private-sector experts on this pressing issue. Stay tuned for a comprehensive analysis

Lawmakers press federal officials for answers on N.Y./N.J. drone sightings

By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill

(Part 1 of two parts)

Federal law enforcement and security officials had few answers as members of Congress on Tuesday grilled them about the spate of recent unidentified drone incursions in the skies above New Jersey and New York, as well as other subjects related to the government’s counter-drone operations.

Testifying before a hearing entitled, “Safeguarding the Homeland from Unmanned Aerial Systems,” three officials, representing the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the U.S. Department of Justice respectively admitted that they still could not identify the origins of a number of large unmanned aerial vehicles, which have been spotted flying over the two states for the past several weeks.

In response to a series of questions from August Pfluger, cochairman of the House subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence, an FBI official said the Bureau is still “actively investigating the series of drone sightings.

“Let’s just start with current events and I’ll ask an open-ended question.  What is going on in New Jersey?” Pfluger said.

“The Bureau is actively investigating the situation you mentioned,” replied Robert Wheeler Jr., assistant director of the FBI’s Critical Incident Response Group. “But I don’t have an answer of who’s responsible for that.” He said the FBI is analyzing reports, still pictures and videos submitted by members of the public to try to get a clue as to the mysterious UAVs’ origins. “Some are described as being slightly larger than a commercially available drone.” The sightings include fixed-wing as well as rotary drones, he said.

Wheeler said the FBI is continuing to work with state and local officials to get the answers regarding the origins of the drone sightings and noted the agency has established a tip line for the public at 1-800-CALL-FBI.

Pfluger continued to press Wheeler about the unidentified UAV sightings, including some that have occurred over sensitive military installations and other important national security sites such as President-elect Donald Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, N.J.

“Why can’t we take action against these drones that are flying over sensitive sites?” he asked.

Wheeler said in regard to the military sites, the responsibility of taking any counter-drone action would fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense. Under current law, only the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, Defense and Energy have express statutory authority to employ counter-drone measures, including forcing a drone to land.

As part of a joint hearing by the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement, and Intelligence and the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security, the lawmakers also queried the witnesses about counter-drone activity undertaken at the U.S. borders with Mexico and Canada.

Keith Jones, Customs and Border Protection’s deputy executive assistant commissioner of Air and Marine Operations, testified that in recent years the agency has seen a dramatic uptick in the number of UAV sightings in the U.S./Mexico border region, many of which are thought to represent illegal drug cartel activities. In fiscal year ‘24 CBP brought down 60 UAVs near the border, representing a small fraction of the total number of drone sightings the agency recorded in that time period.

Jones said CBP recorded about 45,000 detections in the Southwest border region. Of that number the agency recorded about 2,500 incursions, in which a drone flew into U.S. airspace. “So now we’re talking about a very small subset. A lot of the surveillance is taking place outside of our jurisdiction in foreign airspace. That makes it particularly challenging for mitigation.”

In response to a question about what the CBP does about the vast majority of drone detections, in which the UAV remains outside of U.S. airspace, Jones said CBP alerts authorities in Mexico of their presence.

“We do communicate directly with our foreign partners and our communication is healthy,” he said.

When pressed as to whether Mexican authorities are quick to respond to these sightings of suspected drones operating on their side of the border, Jones responded that the situation was very complex and difficult for the local law enforcement personnel.

“A lot of times these are in areas that are not highly populated. They’re very difficult to get to. They’re also controlled by cartels. So, by the time law enforcement responds, it’s very challenging for them,” he said. “It’s not for lack of effort.  It’s just a very difficult environment.”

Officials call on Congress to extend counter-drone authority

Brad Wiegmann, deputy assistant attorney general for National Security, testified that the DOJ and the FBI were only able to provide counter-drone measures at a small number of the many sporting contests and other special events that take place across the country every year. He called on Congress to pass legislation to give greater authority to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies to employ counter-drone technologies at such events.

“Each year the FBI can cover a number of special events and DHS covers some as well,” he said. “We’re talking about big events like the Super Bowl, the World Series, the Indianapolis 500, that sort of thing.

“But obviously those are not the only events that could be subject to an attack or a drone threat. You have many other football games, baseball games, soccer games, the World Cup.”

Several lawmakers inquired as to whether the federal law enforcement agencies had the resources to respond to the threat posed by drones operated by malicious actors. Representative Carlos Gimenez, Republican of Florida, asked the three officials if their agencies had the most advanced counter-drone technology available to them.

“Right around the corner, if not already here, is AI. And so, some of the techniques that we use to mitigate current drones won’t work on AI (drones). Because they won’t be piloted,” he said. “Do we have any capabilities to actually go kinetic, to actually knock these things down?”

Jones declined to answer, saying he did not want to provide an assessment of the CBP’s counter-drone capabilities in an open congressional hearing.

In response to a question about the FBI’s budget for counter-drone operations, Wheeler responded that the agency appropriates about $500,000 to the effort. This compares with a total FBI budget of about $11 million.

“That’s nothing. Why is it so low?” asked Representative Tony Gonzales, a Republican who represents the border region of Texas.

New York Republic Anthony D’Esposito agreed that the agency was not spending enough on counter-drone operations. “A half a million dollars in drone expenditure appropriations? I mean, that’s absolutely insane,” he said. “Drones continue to rapidly advance and become more readily available. This, along with the expansion threats from drones being used by bad actors has only increased.”

(Part 2 will examine the testimony of private-sector experts on counter-drone operations.)

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Jim Magill is a Houston-based writer with almost a quarter-century of experience covering technical and economic developments in the oil and gas industry. After retiring in December 2019 as a senior editor with S&P Global Platts, Jim began writing about emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robots and drones, and the ways in which they’re contributing to our society. In addition to DroneLife, Jim is a contributor to Forbes.com and his work has appeared in the Houston Chronicle, U.S. News & World Report, and Unmanned Systems, a publication of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

TWITTER:@spaldingbarker

Subscribe to DroneLife here.

Limitations May Impact Ukraine, the U.S., and Europe as Drone Technology Evolves in Wartime

The Chinese government plans to implement stricter controls on the export of drone parts in early 2025. This shift is already affecting manufacturers and buyers across the globe. According to reports, Chinese companies have reduced or halted sales of batteries, motors, and flight controllers to the U.S., Europe, and Ukraine. These components are critical for drone operations and supply chains.

China’s decision follows escalating tensions with the U.S., highlighted by sanctions against American drone companies like Skydio, BRINC Drones, and RapidFlight. (Skydio announced last month that they had been sanctioned and were rationing batteries as a result: the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs published a list of 13 additional companies sanctioned on December 5.)  In addition, Ukraine has been relying on drones for its defense against Russia’s invasion, making the restrictions potentially problematic for its military strategy.

A Global Shift in Drone Manufacturing

China dominates approximately 80% of the global drone market, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Any disruption in its supply could have widespread consequences. Manufacturers in the U.S., Europe, and Japan may need to step in to fill the gap left by these restrictions.

“Ukraine might have to China-proof its supply chain for drones as experts expect more widespread Chinese bans on certain drone parts in 2025,” Bloomberg reported.

Russia, meanwhile, remains heavily reliant on Chinese drone components. Reports suggest it produced 140,000 drones in 2023, with plans to manufacture 1.4 million by the end of 2024. Many of these use Chinese-made parts.

Ukraine has also ramped up its drone production, with plans to build 30,000 long-range drones in 2025 and potentially scale to 3 million annually. Despite these ambitious goals, supply chain challenges loom.

Broader Implications for International Relations

The export restrictions come as part of a larger geopolitical response by China. The U.S. recently banned the sale of advanced memory chips and semiconductor equipment to China. This move, combined with a continuation of “tough-on-China” policies under U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, has deepened tensions.

China’s new export rules may also reflect its strategic positioning in global conflicts. While Beijing officially denies supplying military aid to either side in the Russia-Ukraine war, reports indicate that Chinese dual-use goods support Russia’s defense industry.

A November media report noted evidence of China providing attack drones to Russia. This aligns with broader concerns that Chinese-made products could significantly bolster Russian capabilities.

Looking Ahead

As global drone production intensifies, the ripple effects of China’s policies will continue to shape markets and military strategies. For Ukraine, the U.S., and other countries, diversifying supply chains and investing in local manufacturing could be critical. Whether alternative suppliers can fill the void left by China remains to be seen.

Despite the uncertainties, drone technology’s role in modern warfare and commerce ensures that this evolving situation will remain a focal point for governments and industries worldwide.

Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zone to Support Inspections, Public Safety, and Economic Growth with Optimus Drone Systems

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNab

The Autonomy Institute, a group of more than 300 corporate partners aiming to advance autonomy technology in the United States, and Ondas Holdings Inc., a US-based autonomous drone developer, recently announced Ondas as a lead commercial partner within the Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zone (IIEZ) on Texas State Highway 130 (SH130). 

The initial design will enable ten drone zones to support high-traffic regions between the Circuit of the Americas and Georgetown, Texas. 

According to the press release, these locations will support routine operations for inspections, security and public safety. The SH130 corridor is home to hundreds of corporate campuses, including Tesla, Samsung, Amazon, Circuit of the Americas, HEB, and dozens of commercial developers. The partnership will provide additional drone support to a range of public services from Austin’s city government, including Austin Energy, Austin Fire, Austin Water, City Planning, Police, Parks, Transportation, and Public Works. One of the Public Safety Training campuses for the City of Austin is also supported within the region.

The drone systems themselves (dubbed the Optimus System) will be provided by Ondas’ two wholly owned subsidiaries- American Robotics and Airobotics. Ondas is currently supporting two systems- the civilian-focused Optimus System and the military-oriented Iron Raider. 

“Ondas has assembled the leading autonomous industrial solutions within the drone industry; Ondas’ combined platform provides for resilient, scaled remote drone operations,” said Jeff DeCoux, Chairman of the Autonomy Institute.

“Ondas is excited to collaborate with the Autonomy Institute in deploying Intelligent Infrastructure, which has profound implications for the security and efficiency of our communities and underpins our nation’s long-term economic growth,” said Eric Brock, Chairman and CEO of Ondas.

“Texas is the undeniable leader in the use of UAS by public safety and the mission sets are as diverse as the state itself. Collaboration between state and local government agencies and increasingly with the private sector has been a force multiplier, leading to unprecedented success which we see expanding with the SH130 program,” said Jason Day at Texas Department of Public Safety. 

The Autonomy Institute establishes Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zones. According to their press release, “The collective expertise of our partners in software, hardware, and infrastructure contributes to a shared mission to accelerate a “path to commerce and productivity” for intelligent and autonomous systems. Intelligent Infrastructure Economic Zones (IIEZ) accelerate the Civic & Market Economy by accelerating the formation of entrepreneurial and innovation ecosystems. These zones will support dozens of industry, community, and governmental stakeholders. They support community-inspired R&D to transition innovation to practice and stimulate workforce development.”

More information on the Autonomy Institute and the IIEZ initiatives nationwide can be found here. More information on Ondas Holdings is available here. 

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Read more:

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

TWITTER:@spaldingbarker

Subscribe to DroneLife here.

8,000+ Drones Light Up the Sky in a Stunning Collaboration Showcasing Innovation, Japanese Culture, and Global Creativity

by DRONELIFE Staff Writer Ian J. McNabb

This article published in collaboration with JUIDA, the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association.

Japanese drone show developer and promoter Red Cliff Co. ltd recently announced that, in partnership with Chinese drone developer HIGH GREAT, they had received the Guinness World Record for the largest ever drone show. As part of the display, 7,998 drones successfully created a massive display measuring approximately 155 meters in width and 85 meters in height in the night sky. 

Red Cliff also recreated, via drone, an animated version of the music video for the song “Intergalactic Bound” by virtual singer Hatsune Miku, introducing Japanese culture to the local audience as part of the show.

The record for the largest light mosaic has frequently changed hands in recent years. Notable milestones include a show featuring 2,066 drones in South Korea in 2018, 3,051 drones in China in 2020, and 5,200 drones in China in 2021. On September 3, 2024, a show with 7,598 drones was held in China, only to be outdone days later by the new attempt by Red Cliff and HIGH GREAT. 

The full text of the record reads as follows, saying, “The largest light mosaic by drones/multi-rotors was achieved by Shenzhen High Great Innovation Technology Development Co., Ltd. (China), Rising Star (Saudi Arabia), REDCLIFF, Inc. (Japan), and New Age Media Group (Australia) in Shenzhen, Guangdong, China, on September 4, 2024.”

On the second day, 8,100 drones, led by HIGH GREAT and France’s Group F SAS, performed a synchronized show themed “LOVE MAKES THE WORLD GO ROUND.” Using the sky as a broad canvas, the display featured shapes like hearts, globes, and text, captivating audiences for 15 minutes. b

Komei Sasaki, CEO of Red Cliff, was quoted as saying, “We are thrilled to have achieved a Guinness World Record through this collaboration with HIGH GREAT, Rising Star, New Age Media Group, and Group F SAS. My heartfelt gratitude goes to all involved. Drone shows remain an evolving technology, and innovation will continue to unlock new possibilities. We aim to integrate cutting-edge technology and creativity in our ongoing endeavors.”

More information is available from the original press release here (in Japanese).

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Read more:

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

TWITTER:@spaldingbarker

Subscribe to DroneLife here.

Chinese Drone Manufacturer Expresses Concerns Over Security and Process Provisions in Proposed Law

Background on NDAA Section 1709

The FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes Section 1709, which seeks to evaluate potential risks posed by certain Chinese-manufactured drones. This section mandates a national security agency to assess the risks of communications and video surveillance equipment from companies such as DJI and Autel Robotics within a year of the NDAA’s enactment.

If no determination is made, the legislation automatically places the equipment on the FCC’s Covered List, barring their operation on FCC-regulated bandwidth.

DJI Statement on NDAA FY25 Proposed Legislation

DJI, the world’s largest drone manufacturer, has issued a statement expressing concerns over the NDAA’s approach. A spokesperson for the company said:

“We are closely monitoring developments in Congress. While it is too early to provide detailed comments, as the NDAA still awaits a vote, the current text raises several initial concerns:

Chinese drones are singled out for scrutiny and the current text does not designate a specific agency to undertake the required study. We call for the agency tasked with this work to be technical in nature in order to ensure the assessment is evidence-based.”

Concerns Over Process and Fairness

The spokesperson highlighted potential issues with the automatic inclusion of DJI and Autel products on the FCC Covered List if no agency undertakes the required assessment:

“If no agency conducts a study to determine risk, the proposed legislation automatically adds DJI and another Chinese manufacturer to the FCC’s Covered List. This means that DJI would be prevented from launching new products in the US market through no fault of its own, but simply because no agency chose to take on the work of studying our products.”

DJI also criticized the lack of a provision for due process, calling for transparency and fairness in any audits:

“There is no provision for any right of reply or due administrative process. If the NDAA passes with these provisions included, we call on a relevant technical intelligence agency to undertake an audit of our products, and we ask for a fair right of reply to any findings.”

Commitment to Security and Market Competition

DJI reaffirmed its dedication to addressing security concerns and maintaining its U.S. market presence:

“DJI reaffirms its commitment to the U.S. market and our customers. Since 2017, DJI has proactively submitted its products to regular independent security audits and expanded the range of built-in user privacy controls in our consumer and enterprise drones.”

The company underscored its support for broader initiatives aimed at improving security and competitiveness across the industry:

“We support initiatives aimed at enhancing competitiveness and strengthening drone security, provided they are grounded in fairness, apply to the industry as a whole, and [are] driven by technological considerations – not country of origin. Ensuring that drone operators have the freedom to choose the most reliable platforms for their operational needs is essential for fostering innovation and maintaining a competitive industry, both now and in the long term.”

Broader Industry Implications

Section 1709 reflects growing concerns among U.S. lawmakers about potential national security risks associated with Chinese drones. While some drone industry stakeholders support the legislation, this provision – based upon the Countering CCP Drones Act – has raised significant concerns among service providers and operators who rely on Chinese-manufactured drones for public safety, infrastructure inspection, and other critical services.  While US drone manufacturers are developing rapidly, there are currently few non-Chinese manufactured options at price points below $2,000.  These difficulties have led some industry groups to rally against legislation which could limit the operation of Chinese drones, while others like AUVSI have emphasized the need to balance security with operational realities, giving operators time to diversify their fleets.

For more information on DJI, visit DJI. Learn about Autel Robotics at Autel Robotics

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New language in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) gives U.S. agencies one year to assess security risks of Chinese drones, but the clock is ticking—and the outcome remains uncertain.  In this guest post from Matt Sloane of SkyfireAI, the real results of the legislation.  DRONELIFE neither accepts nor makes payment for guest posts.

The question of Chinese drone bans is settled(ish)…. For now

by Matt Sloane, Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, SkyfireAI.

Last Friday, news of the agreed-upon text of the National Defense Authorization Act hit the wires; and along with it, a glimpse of whether the much-hyped Countering CCP Drones Act would be included.

We now know that it wasn’t, but in its place, there is some language that the public safety should be aware of.

Much as pro-DJI and Autel groups have asked for — the act calls for an appropriate national security-related agency to make a determination within one year about whether drones like DJI and Autel actually pose a risk to our information and national security.

If they do not perform that assessment in a timely manner, or if the assessment should find an unacceptable level of risk, plans will continue to add those manufacturers to the FCC’s covered list — essentially banning them from developing new models of their drones going forward.

If there is no risk, that action will not be taken.

On its face, it seems like a big win for the thousands of people who want to continue using these drones, and continue to buy new ones without fear of them getting banned.

BUT, and it’s a big but, this issue is far from settled.

In my conversations with several different parties on Capitol Hill, in the executive branch and those within DOD, there has always been smoke, and probably fire, when it comes to these allegations – it’s just been classified.

My gut tells me that this issue wouldn’t have persisted as long as it has, unless people in the know were reasonably convinced there was a threat. I don’t know that with certainty, but it stands to reason that the amount of political capital people like New York Rep. Elise Stefanik have used pushing this issue means there is some legitimate concern.

In addition, the NDAA only gives the national security apparatus one year to make this determination, and with a new administration coming in January – and one who doesn’t look kindly upon products coming from China – there’s a chance that those agencies simply don’t do the work, and the companies get added to the list anyway.

Then there’s the issue of whether agencies should be looking elsewhere for their drones anyway, on the chance that we’ll be dealing with this issue again in a year.

The smart money is on “yes”…

As we get closer to having very viable American or allied-made drones – something we haven’t really had in the past – it may just make plain sense to buy something non-Chinese for some people.

So yes, Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah to those who poured their heart and soul into getting this legislation out of the NDAA… It worked!

But whether this will lead to a true victory, or just be a short-lived stay of execution remains to be seen.

Read more:

Matt Sloane is the co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer at SkyfireAI. With over a decade of experience in public safety and drone technology, Matt has helped countless agencies integrate drones into their critical incident response. Prior to Skyfire, he worked as a medical news producer at CNN and served as an EMT. Matt is actively involved in shaping drone regulations and policy and is a licensed pilot.

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

TWITTER:@spaldingbarker

Subscribe to DroneLife here.

New Agreement Adds Eight Industrial Drone Systems for Business, Government, and Education Use

RobotLAB, a robotics integrator known for delivering solutions across various industries, has announced a partnership with Vision Aerial, a U.S.-based drone manufacturer. The agreement expands RobotLAB’s offerings to include eight of Vision Aerial’s unmanned aerial systems (UAS), such as the Drone Surveying System, Construction Drone System, Solar Inspection System, and Agriculture Drone System.

RobotLAB’s CEO, Elad Inbar, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration. “Vision Aerial’s catalog of drones is so impressive and multi-faceted, boasting a wide variety of applications from surveying, mapping, and academic research, and ultimately adding diversity to our growing robotics portfolio,” Inbar said.

Applications for Businesses, Government, and Education

Vision Aerial’s drones are engineered to improve efficiency, reduce risks, and save lives. They excel in industrial applications like construction, agriculture, and energy, and also provide hands-on learning tools for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs. These programs use drones for environmental monitoring, aerial mapping, aerodynamics, and data analysis.

RobotLAB will market and deploy Vision Aerial’s products to businesses, universities, and government agencies. The drones are already in use at institutions like the University of California, Berkeley, Montana State University, and Rutgers. They also serve organizations such as the U.S. Air Force, USDA, and DTE Energy.

Shane Beams, Vision Aerial’s founder, highlighted the value of the new partnership. “The partnership with RobotLAB enhances our distribution capabilities, ensuring that our innovations empower business and educational institutions,” Beams said. “We’re confident that RobotLAB’s expertise will further strengthen our presence in key sectors.”

Built and Operated in the U.S.

Vision Aerial designs, builds, tests, and supports its drones entirely in the United States. This approach ensures supply chain stability and strict quality control. The drones are designed to perform challenging operations safely and efficiently, replacing traditional methods that may pose risks to workers or require more time.

RobotLAB, founded in 2007, has deployed over 10,000 robots across industries such as foodservice, healthcare, and education. The company manages the entire robotics integration process, from programming and on-site setup to repairs, helping businesses adopt new technologies with confidence.

For more details on RobotLAB’s Vision Aerial catalog, visit RobotLAB. To learn more about the company’s integration solutions, visit RobotLAB.com.

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The FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference text has been released.  The text includes critical language aimed at addressing potential national security risks posed by Chinese-made drones. Section 1709 of the legislation, titled “Analysis of Certain Unmanned Aircraft and Systems Entities,” outlines a structured approach for evaluating the security implications of communications and video surveillance equipment or services provided by companies such as DJI and Autel Robotics. This language reflects a negotiated version of Congresswoman Elise Stefanik’s proposed Countering CCP Drones Act, which called for Chinese-manufactured drones to be banned from utilizing FCC bandwidth. 

Understanding Section 1709

Key Provisions and Requirements

Section 1709 mandates that within one year of the NDAA’s enactment, a designated national security agency must determine whether certain communications and surveillance equipment pose an “unacceptable risk” to U.S. national security or the safety of American citizens. The equipment subject to evaluation includes:

• Products from DJI Technologies and Autel Robotics.
• Equipment or services provided by any subsidiaries, affiliates, or partners of these companies.
• Entities engaged in joint ventures, licensing, or technology-sharing agreements with these companies.

If the agency identifies a security risk, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must add the equipment and services to its Covered List within 30 days. Once listed, these products would be prohibited from using FCC-regulated bandwidth, effectively barring their operation within U.S. communications networks.

If no determination is made within one year, the legislation requires that all specified equipment and services be automatically added to the Covered List. The provision further calls for detailed reports to Congress from the relevant national security agencies, ensuring transparency in the decision-making process.

Implications for Industry and Users

The potential addition of DJI and Autel products to the FCC Covered List has raised concerns among drone operators in industries such as public safety, infrastructure inspection, and environmental monitoring. Some users rely heavily on affordable, high-performing equipment from these manufacturers. A ban could disrupt operations, as comparable U.S.-manufactured alternatives are not yet available in the lower price range offered in the DJI and Autel product suites.

Lawmakers and security agencies, however, have repeatedly warned that reliance on Chinese-manufactured drones places US infrastructure at risk.  As security agencies uncover more Chinese state led hacking operations, FBI Director Christopher Wray has been among those most vocal in pointing out the dangers of Chinese technology.

AUVSI’s Statement

The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) has consistently supported efforts to address national security risks associated with foreign-manufactured drones. AUVSI President and CEO Michael Robbins said, “This year’s bill builds on the progress made in the FY 2024 NDAA, which extended the DOD’s PRC drone procurement ban to all U.S. government agencies. It further acknowledges the threats posed by PRC drones and ground robotics while advancing efforts to transition the U.S. away from such dependencies.”

At the same time, AUVSI has advocated for policies that promote a level playing field for U.S. and allied drone manufacturers while considering the operational needs of businesses reliant on existing technologies.

Balancing Security and Practical Needs

The conference text indicates that there will be at least a year before any definite action is taken on adding Chinese drones to the FCC Covered list.

As the process unfolds, it will be critical for policymakers to address the needs of service providers and agencies dependent on these technologies. Supporting the development of cost-effective, domestically produced alternatives will also be essential to ensure that operational and budgetary constraints do not hinder essential services.

For more information on the FCC Covered List, visit the Federal Communications Commission.

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Read more:

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

TWITTER:@spaldingbarker

Subscribe to DroneLife here.

Mithril Defense and Texas Legislators Push for UAVs with Pepper Spray to Enhance School Safety Amid Funding Challenges

by DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill

An Austin-based defense and security company is promoting the use of drones to provide security at public schools, and at least one Texas lawmaker has apparently signed on to the idea.

In a posting on a site maintained by the Texas Politics Project, Mithril Defense advertised an opening for an individual to lead an advocacy campaign to sell the idea of “using drones to help stop school gun violence.”

The company, said it is “collaborating with various parts of the Texas legislature on permitting and funding” to allow its drone services to be used in the state’s public schools and expects to launch a pilot program in several of the state’s top 10 school districts as early as next year.

“We find that our approach is bipartisan, and believe it will help save lives,” said the posting on the site maintained by the University of Texas at Austin.

Mithril Defense, a private start-up company in its first year of operation, boasts that its team includes a former Navy SEAL Team Six command master chief, a serial tech entrepreneur, the #1 American drone pilot on ESPN and various technical teams.” The company also said it is working with an influential Texas lobbyist, who has held several roles in the administration of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, to sell the idea to legislators.

The posting states that a bill has been introduced into the State Legislature that would call for the use of UAVs to bolster security in Texas schools.

The bill that the posting refers to is apparently House Bill 462, introduced by State Representative Ryan Guillen, a Republican representing the Rio Grande Valley area. The bill, which pertains to the hiring of armed guards and other security measures at Texas schools, would allow some schools to substitute drones capable of dispersing pepper-spray or other irritants, to take the place of an armed human guard.

According to the proposed legislation, “at least one remote-human-operated aerial device,” could be deployed for every 200 students enrolled at the district. Such an aerial device would be required to be capable of “providing less-lethal interdiction capability by means of air-based irritant delivery or other mechanisms.”

Guillen did not reply to several attempts by DroneLife to reach him for comment on the proposed legislation.

The bill’s chances of passage in its current form is far from assured. The Texas Legislature only goes into session once every two years for a period of five months, with the next session scheduled to get under way in January.

Hundreds of bills are proposed at the outset of every legislative session, with only a handful making their way into becoming law.

The question of how best to ensure the safety of Texas schoolchildren has been a hot-button issue for a while now. In the wake of a mass school shooting in the town of Uvalde in 2022, the Legislature in its 2023 session passed a law mandating the presence of an armed law enforcement officer in every school in the state.

However, the law was never fully implemented as many school districts have struggled to raise the funds necessary to pay for the additional security and to find enough trained law enforcement personnel to protect every school campus in the state.

House Bill 3, the 2023 school security law, provides each Lone Star State school district $15,000 per campus and $10 per student to fund its required security measures. In addition to calling for the use of drones to take the place of human security officers in some cases, Guillen’s bill would increase that per-student funding to pay for security measures to about $100.

The bill would also allocate an annual allotment of $100,000 or greater to each school district to pay for mental health services for students.

Mithril Defense is being tight-lipped about the details of its plan to promote the use of security drones in Texas schools. In an email to DroneLife, in a response to a request for comment for this story, CEO Justin Marston said, “We’re still in stealth right now, but we could chat more in [the second quarter of] next year.”

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Jim Magill is a Houston-based writer with almost a quarter-century of experience covering technical and economic developments in the oil and gas industry. After retiring in December 2019 as a senior editor with S&P Global Platts, Jim began writing about emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robots and drones, and the ways in which they’re contributing to our society. In addition to DroneLife, Jim is a contributor to Forbes.com and his work has appeared in the Houston Chronicle, U.S. News & World Report, and Unmanned Systems, a publication of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International.

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

TWITTER:@spaldingbarker

Subscribe to DroneLife here.

SimActive and Correlator3D: A Closer Look

Drone mapping has transformed industries by making geospatial data more accessible. However, achieving high-quality results requires both the right tools and the right approach. DRONELIFE.com interviewed Eric Andelin, Senior Workflow Specialist at SimActive, to uncover actionable tips for drone operators. SimActive, a leader in photogrammetry solutions, offers Correlator3D, a robust mapping software designed to convert drone data into accurate geospatial products.

In this interview, Andelin shares advice on overcoming challenges, optimizing workflows, and setting up drone mapping projects for success.

Can you give us a brief introduction to SimActive and your flagship mapping software? What sets SimActive’s mapping software apart from other solutions in the market?

SimActive developed Correlator3D, a photogrammetry software that generates geospatial data from satellite and aerial imagery, including drone-captured images. The software provides tools for aerial triangulation (AT), creating dense digital surface models (DSMs), digital terrain models (DTMs), orthomosaics, and even vectorized 3D features.

According to Andelin, Correlator3D offers a simple-to-follow interface that doesn’t require extensive retraining when expanding to other imaging platforms: “Regardless of acquisition platform, the processing steps are the same: as users’ business grows beyond drones, they do not have to reinvest time learning new processing steps.”

Additionally, SimActive maximizes processing speed by relying on GPUs instead of CPUs, enabling faster and more efficient workflows.

Addressing Common Challenges in Drone Mapping

What are the most common challenges drone operators face when mapping, and how does SimActive help address those?

While drones simplify image collection, many operators struggle with processing complexities. Andelin explained:  “Without some understanding of photogrammetry, when drone mappers do not achieve the output results desired, they often do not understand why this is. This is a result of oversimplification, cloud, and one button processing solutions.”

SimActive helps operators overcome these challenges by allowing fine-tuning of workflows to produce outputs tailored to specific project requirements. This flexibility ensures users achieve the desired results without frustration.

Could you walk us through the process of using SimActive software to create accurate maps from drone data?

Correlator3D follows a modular workflow that progresses in a linear sequence. Projects begin with aerial triangulation, followed by surface model creation, orthorectification, and mosaic generation. Each module allows user customization, enabling operators to optimize outputs at every stage.

Best Practices for Drone Mapping

What are the top three tips you would give to drone operators aiming to get the best results when mapping?

Andelin emphasized three key strategies for success:

• Plan your flights carefully. Consider terrain, subject, flying height, overlap, and direction.
• Incorporate ground control. Results tied to ground control are more reliable than relying solely on RTK or PPK.
• Focus on actionable deliverables. While 3D models are engaging, maps often provide greater value to clients.

How important is flight planning when it comes to drone mapping, and what should operators keep in mind?

Flight planning is critical to mapping accuracy. Operators should evaluate the terrain and subject before setting their flight parameters. Andelin provided an example: “Consider a solar farm, the subject is very homogenous, like tree farms. This can trip up processing software if flown in a way where each consecutive image is basically the same.”

Flying higher or breaking projects into smaller areas can improve results. Environmental factors such as wind and sun angle should also be accounted for during planning.

Are there specific environmental conditions or drone settings that significantly affect mapping accuracy?

Wind and sun angle are two major factors to consider, said Andelin. While shadows might be useful in certain projects, they can complicate others. Operators should always align their settings with the intended output deliverables.

Data Processing and Ensuring Accuracy

How does SimActive handle the large volumes of data generated by drones during mapping missions?

SimActive designed Correlator3D to handle unlimited images. Projects can benefit from distributed processing, which allows operators to leverage multiple PCs and GPUs to manage extensive datasets efficiently.

What role does precision in data acquisition (altitude, overlap, etc.) play in the final mapping results, and how does your software ensure this accuracy?

Precision in data collection directly impacts map quality. Andelin highlighted the importance of on-site visits for tailoring flights to specific terrain and output needs. After aerial triangulation, SimActive generates an accuracy report: “An AT report with accuracy results including spatial accuracy and resolution are provided. The user can accept the results, or make adjustments and process another iteration if needed.”

How does your software support multispectral or LiDAR data processing for more advanced mapping applications?

SimActive allows multispectral and LiDAR data integration. LiDAR enhances mapping where photogrammetry cannot see the ground, while also enabling image alignment and ground control. The software even supports colorizing LiDAR point clouds, making them more versatile as standalone deliverables.

The Future of Drone Mapping

How do you see the future of drone mapping evolving, and what advancements in SimActive’s software can we expect in the near future?

The future of drone mapping is promising, with advancements in sensors and multi-sensor systems driving innovation. Andelin shared his optimism:  “Considering there is a geospatial component to almost everything we as a society do, the future of mapping and drone mapping is very bright.”

Are there any emerging technologies or trends you believe will shape the future of drone mapping and geospatial data collection?

Andelin says that oblique sensors and multi-sensor systems are on the rise, driven by a desire for more information such as denser point clouds and 3D models.

Final Thoughts for Drone Operators

If you could give one final piece of advice to drone operators just starting out in mapping, what would it be?

Andelin offered thoughtful advice for operators new to drone mapping, emphasizing the importance of focus, proficiency, and quality work:  “Focus on what your drone or drones are best suited for. Become proficient in the specific processing skill required using software such as Correlator3D locally, and build a good customer base on quality work. Outsourcing your processing to a cloud-based solution may not serve you well. Be local, be kind, and know that there are many other drone operators out there.”

By concentrating on their strengths, mastering essential processing skills, and prioritizing high-quality deliverables, new operators can establish themselves in a competitive industry. Embracing a local approach and fostering strong customer relationships can set a solid foundation for long-term success.

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Read more:

Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry.  Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.

TWITTER:@spaldingbarker

Subscribe to DroneLife here.