Drone Updates: Soaring North with Inspire 3 in the Arctic, Introduction of Three Agricultural Drones by DJI, and More Exciting Developments
In a significant move for the agricultural industry, DJI, the leading drone manufacturer, has launched three new models in their flagship Agras series: the T100, T70P, and T25P. These drones are designed to cater to various scales and types of farming, boasting advanced payload and safety features.
The Agras T100 is geared towards large-scale commercial farms, with a spraying tank capacity of up to 100 liters, a spreading tank capacity of up to 150 liters, and a lifting capacity of 100 kg. It boasts a maximum flight speed of 20 m/s, improving operational efficiency, and a spraying flow rate of up to 30 L/min with dual sprinklers, or 40 L/min with an optional four-sprinkler setup.
The Agras T70P is a mid-sized drone suitable for medium-sized farms, offering precise spraying and spreading capabilities. It includes the Safety System 3.0 with millimeter-wave radar and Tri-Vision for better obstacle detection and clearance.
The compact and foldable Agras T25P is ideal for solo and small farm operations, featuring the upgraded 25 kg high-precision screw feeder spreading system 4.0 and the Safety System 3.0 for smarter obstacle avoidance.
All three models emphasize automation, payload power, safety, and efficiency, building on DJI’s decade of precision farming expertise. The launch also coincides with new pilot training courses from DJI Academy to improve safe and effective drone operation globally.
Meanwhile, the Secret Service has overhauled its approach to aerial security, rolling out a fleet of military-grade drones and establishing mobile command posts nationwide. This drone rollout is a direct response to last year's assassination attempt on (at the time) former President Trump. The new drones are designed for real-time surveillance and threat detection, giving agents the ability to take down unauthorized drones by jamming them midair.
In a separate development, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed a sweeping directive to jump-start U.S. drone dominance, aiming to outpace adversaries like Russia and China. The Pentagon's goal is to field thousands of low-cost drones integrated into every aspect of military training by 2027.
In the realm of filmmaking, filmmaker Denis Barbas released a cinematic journey to the Arctic, featuring footage captured entirely with the DJI Inspire 3. The Inspire 3's 8K RAW footage showcases its dynamic range and ability to capture fine details, even in low winter light.
In the world of drone delivery, a new startup has a significant head start, but no further details about the startup are provided. DEXA, a tiny startup led by CEO Beth Flippo, has secured all three crucial FAA approvals: airworthiness certification for its aircraft, a Part 135 air carrier certificate, and a national BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) waiver. However, it's not clear yet whether these new drones will be available for sale in the U.S.
DEXA is among the very few U.S. companies legally cleared for large-scale drone delivery, although its actual delivery footprint and volume are far smaller than the established giants. Military drone combat simulations will be required across all branches starting next year.
[1] https://www.dji.com/agras-t100 [2] https://www.dji.com/agras-t70p [3] https://www.dji.com/agras-t25p [4] https://www.dji.com/newsroom/press-releases/dji-launches-three-new-agricultural-drones-the-agras-t100-t70p-and-t25p
- The new drone models launched by DJI, the T100, T70P, and T25P, are certificated for agricultural use and have undergone training for improved safety, as part of the significant move in the industry towards automation, payload power, and efficiency.
- The DJI Academy has rolled out pilot training courses to enhance safe and effective drone operation globally, coinciding with the launch of the three new agricultural drones from DJI.
- In a contrasting development, DEXA, a US-based startup, has secured FAA approvals for its drone delivery system, including airworthiness certification, a Part 135 air carrier certificate, and a national BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) waiver, making it one of the very few US companies legally cleared for large-scale drone delivery.
- The Secret Service has established a drone fleet for real-time surveillance and threat detection, integrating technology designed to jam unauthorized drones midair, in a direct response to last year's security incident.
