- Joined
- Oct 12, 2016
- Messages
- 29,610
- Reactions
- 33,274
- Location
- Harrisburg, PA (US)
- Site
- mavichelp.com
DJI Matrice 400A Nears Release with FCC Filing
DJI's forthcoming enterprise drone, the Matrice 400A, has recently appeared in the FCC database, indicating an imminent release, potentially as early as April 2025. This filing revealed a 977Wh battery and included images of the regulatory label and battery bay.
Prior to this, a sub-2 GHz SDR module associated with the Matrice 400 series was also filed with the FCC, suggesting DJI's focus on enhancing long-range communication capabilities, possibly targeting beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.
Source
Congress Revives Counter-Drone Legislation Efforts
The US Congress is preparing to revisit counter-drone legislation after previous efforts failed, aiming to expand authority beyond federal agencies to address unauthorized drone activities. During a February 6 hearing, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), chair of the House aviation subcommittee, emphasized the need for a "properly scaled, well-balanced and legally sound framework" for counter-drone measures. He highlighted that current technologies capable of jamming unauthorized drones are inaccessible to state and local law enforcement, even in critical areas like airport airspace, due to the absence of clear regulations.
The proposed legislation seeks to define which entities, beyond the federal government, should have the authority to deploy counter-UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) technologies and specify permissible mitigation methods. Lisa Ellman, Executive Director of the Commercial Drone Alliance, advocates for regulations that support legitimate commercial drone operations while preventing misuse by negligent or malicious actors. Currently, five federal agencies—the Departments of Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, Justice, and the FAA—have varying degrees of counter-drone authority, often under temporary extensions. Expanding this authority to state and local levels, particularly in sensitive areas like nuclear facilities, prisons, or large public events, is under consideration to enhance responsiveness to rogue drone incidents.
Source
Skydio Mailers Raise Security Concerns Over Hidden Tracking
Skydio, a leading US drone manufacturer known for its emphasis on data security, is facing scrutiny over a recent marketing campaign targeting law enforcement agencies. Skydio sent promotional mailers embedded with tracking technology capable of monitoring recipient interactions in real time. A California police sergeant, overseeing a drone program with over 75 aircraft and 3,000 annual flights, expressed deep concern upon discovering these capabilities, questioning the motives behind the mailers and the security of the data collected.
The mailers, produced by MARC Media, reportedly included 5G connectivity through AT&T SIM cards, enabling features such as video playback and user interaction tracking. This technology collects data on opens, impressions, interactions, durations, and location changes via cell tower triangulation. The sergeant's team conducted a forensic analysis, identifying these components and raising alarms about potential location tracking without consent. This incident has sparked debates about transparency and consistency with Skydio's public stance on privacy protection, especially given their advocacy against foreign data collection risks associated with other drone manufacturers.
Source
High-Powered Microwave Tech to Combat Drone Swarms
Epirus, a defense technology startup, has developed the Leonidas system, a ground-based directed energy weapon that emits electromagnetic pulses capable of disabling entire swarms of drones or targeting specific devices. This technology addresses the growing threat of drone swarms in modern warfare, as traditional defense systems often struggle to counter multiple drones simultaneously. The Leonidas system has demonstrated effectiveness in Department of Defense tests, neutralizing various electronic targets, including boat motors.
To further develop and deploy this technology, Epirus recently secured $250 million in a Series D funding round, bringing its total venture funding to over $550 million. The company plans to use this investment to expand into international and commercial markets, enhance US manufacturing capabilities, and establish a new simulation center in Oklahoma for training military personnel in counter-drone operations. Epirus has already secured a $66 million contract with the US Army to supply the Leonidas system, and it is reportedly undergoing testing by Central Command in the Middle East.
Source
Drones Deployed to Enhance School Safety in Texas
A local Austin company, Campus Guardian Angel, has introduced advanced drones designed to enhance school safety by swiftly responding to active shooter situations. Demonstrated at the former Pease Elementary School, these drones can breach windows, deploy non-lethal measures like flash bangs or pepper launchers, and physically incapacitate shooters. Inspired by drone applications in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, co-founders Justin Marston and Bill King emphasize the drones' potential to intervene within crucial initial moments of an incident. Positioned on individual campuses but remotely operated from an Austin hub, the drones integrate with digital campus maps to ensure precise navigation.
Boerne Independent School District, located approximately 82 miles from Austin, has adopted the Campus Guardian Angel program. Rick Goodrich, the district's chief of safety and security, highlighted the drones' capability to expedite response times and aid in promptly attending to victims. Reflecting on the tragic 2022 Uvalde school shooting, Boerne High School senior Teagan Maquet expressed that such technology offers peace of mind by adding an extra layer of security for students.
Source
Discover More with Flight Reader
Unleash the full potential of your DJI drone flight logs. Flight Reader gives you access to more detailed data than any other app—all while keeping your logs secure and offline.
Try it free today!
DJI's forthcoming enterprise drone, the Matrice 400A, has recently appeared in the FCC database, indicating an imminent release, potentially as early as April 2025. This filing revealed a 977Wh battery and included images of the regulatory label and battery bay.
Prior to this, a sub-2 GHz SDR module associated with the Matrice 400 series was also filed with the FCC, suggesting DJI's focus on enhancing long-range communication capabilities, possibly targeting beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.
Source
Congress Revives Counter-Drone Legislation Efforts
The US Congress is preparing to revisit counter-drone legislation after previous efforts failed, aiming to expand authority beyond federal agencies to address unauthorized drone activities. During a February 6 hearing, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas), chair of the House aviation subcommittee, emphasized the need for a "properly scaled, well-balanced and legally sound framework" for counter-drone measures. He highlighted that current technologies capable of jamming unauthorized drones are inaccessible to state and local law enforcement, even in critical areas like airport airspace, due to the absence of clear regulations.
The proposed legislation seeks to define which entities, beyond the federal government, should have the authority to deploy counter-UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) technologies and specify permissible mitigation methods. Lisa Ellman, Executive Director of the Commercial Drone Alliance, advocates for regulations that support legitimate commercial drone operations while preventing misuse by negligent or malicious actors. Currently, five federal agencies—the Departments of Defense, Energy, Homeland Security, Justice, and the FAA—have varying degrees of counter-drone authority, often under temporary extensions. Expanding this authority to state and local levels, particularly in sensitive areas like nuclear facilities, prisons, or large public events, is under consideration to enhance responsiveness to rogue drone incidents.
Source
Skydio Mailers Raise Security Concerns Over Hidden Tracking
Skydio, a leading US drone manufacturer known for its emphasis on data security, is facing scrutiny over a recent marketing campaign targeting law enforcement agencies. Skydio sent promotional mailers embedded with tracking technology capable of monitoring recipient interactions in real time. A California police sergeant, overseeing a drone program with over 75 aircraft and 3,000 annual flights, expressed deep concern upon discovering these capabilities, questioning the motives behind the mailers and the security of the data collected.
The mailers, produced by MARC Media, reportedly included 5G connectivity through AT&T SIM cards, enabling features such as video playback and user interaction tracking. This technology collects data on opens, impressions, interactions, durations, and location changes via cell tower triangulation. The sergeant's team conducted a forensic analysis, identifying these components and raising alarms about potential location tracking without consent. This incident has sparked debates about transparency and consistency with Skydio's public stance on privacy protection, especially given their advocacy against foreign data collection risks associated with other drone manufacturers.
Source
High-Powered Microwave Tech to Combat Drone Swarms
Epirus, a defense technology startup, has developed the Leonidas system, a ground-based directed energy weapon that emits electromagnetic pulses capable of disabling entire swarms of drones or targeting specific devices. This technology addresses the growing threat of drone swarms in modern warfare, as traditional defense systems often struggle to counter multiple drones simultaneously. The Leonidas system has demonstrated effectiveness in Department of Defense tests, neutralizing various electronic targets, including boat motors.
To further develop and deploy this technology, Epirus recently secured $250 million in a Series D funding round, bringing its total venture funding to over $550 million. The company plans to use this investment to expand into international and commercial markets, enhance US manufacturing capabilities, and establish a new simulation center in Oklahoma for training military personnel in counter-drone operations. Epirus has already secured a $66 million contract with the US Army to supply the Leonidas system, and it is reportedly undergoing testing by Central Command in the Middle East.
Source
Drones Deployed to Enhance School Safety in Texas
A local Austin company, Campus Guardian Angel, has introduced advanced drones designed to enhance school safety by swiftly responding to active shooter situations. Demonstrated at the former Pease Elementary School, these drones can breach windows, deploy non-lethal measures like flash bangs or pepper launchers, and physically incapacitate shooters. Inspired by drone applications in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, co-founders Justin Marston and Bill King emphasize the drones' potential to intervene within crucial initial moments of an incident. Positioned on individual campuses but remotely operated from an Austin hub, the drones integrate with digital campus maps to ensure precise navigation.
Boerne Independent School District, located approximately 82 miles from Austin, has adopted the Campus Guardian Angel program. Rick Goodrich, the district's chief of safety and security, highlighted the drones' capability to expedite response times and aid in promptly attending to victims. Reflecting on the tragic 2022 Uvalde school shooting, Boerne High School senior Teagan Maquet expressed that such technology offers peace of mind by adding an extra layer of security for students.
Source
Discover More with Flight Reader
Unleash the full potential of your DJI drone flight logs. Flight Reader gives you access to more detailed data than any other app—all while keeping your logs secure and offline.
Try it free today!
