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18 April 2025
By Michael Molenda, Editor
The impact of the Trump Administration's tariffs&mdash;whether they ultimately turn out to be a good thing for America or not&mdash;are having immediate effect. Perhaps not in pricing yet, as some of the tariffs have been paused, but certainly in corporate strategy, as businesses devise varied plans to manage revenue, manufacturing, inventory control, staffing, and other day-to-day concerns in the brave new world of global tariffs.
Obviously, goods from China are causing stratospheric worry as they touch almost every business.&nbsp;
In the music-product industry, for example, an electronic drum kit that costs around $325 to manufacture in China is looking at approximately $550 in tariffs, making the cost to the consumer more than double once conventional profit margins are calculated. The end result is that many music-industry manufacturers may need to cease Chinese manufacturing entirely&mdash;or significantly reduce their spend on goods from China&mdash;because many musicians will not be able to afford "made in China" instruments and technology.
And, by the way, much of the music-gear manufacturing will probably be shifted to "less tariffed" offshore factories (Indonesia, etc.), rather than brought back to America. The cost of building certain instruments in the United States remains prohibitive.
The drone industry, with its reliance on Chinese tech, products, and parts (batteries, etc.), is not going to be immune to tariffs. Duh.&nbsp;
Here are some ways that the tariffs imposed on China could affect the droning industry...
<h5 style="font-weight: 500;">We're Gonna Pay More for Drones</h5>
DJI is the biggest consumer drone manufacturer in the world. Think about what it means if a DJI dealer is compelled to pay a 145-percent tariff on new models to replace or increase inventory. Yeah. Not good for the pocketbook. And that's just for DJI. Expand the tariff impact to include other Chinese drone manufacturers, as well as accessories made in China. Then, we may be looking at a Defcon 2 scenario for the industry&mdash;speaking in fictional, sci-fi flick terms&mdash;could mean a stalled marketplace, stunted growth, and bankrupted retailers and distributors.
<h5>Supply Chains Won't Be, Well, Supply Chains&nbsp;</h5>
China controls a significant amount of the components U.S. drone makers need to build their products. An ongoing trade war with the United States&mdash;meaning reciprocal tariffs and even an end (or pause) of exported motors, batteries, sensors, and other made-in-China materials essential to drone manufacturing&mdash;would be catastrophic.&nbsp;
<h5>Changes to Where Drone Products Are Built</h5>
As with the music-gear example, some manufacturers may need to get "out of China" in order to ensure they can continue to offer affordable products to consumers. But abandoning factories and an already trained workforce in China won't be an easy decision. Yes, there are potentially less-tariffed options in countries such as Vietnam, Indonesia, and Mexico, for instance, but building new manufacturing facilities in those areas&mdash;as well as training workers to produce brand-dedicated products with high quality&mdash;could take years. And will corporations take a leap of faith to relocate manufacturing when a policy change within the Trump administration could make it all for naught by easing China tariffs?
<h5>That Roof Inspection Is Gonna Cost More</h5>
The service providers who offer drone roof inspections, real-estate promotions, and other benefits may need to rethink their business plans to absorb increased hardware and software costs. Higher equipment costs = higher service prices. The uncertainty may also cause, say, a realtor to go, "Yeah, maybe it's not the time right now to hire someone to film drone tours of my home inventory."&nbsp;
<h5>International BVLOS Flights Get Kicked to the Curb</h5>
Geopolitical tensions are seldom good for international cooperation. As rulemaking for beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights are being considered by the FAA and International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the China-USA trade war, as well as America's standing with its neighbors north and south, could have an impact on agreed-upon, international regulations for drones that can fly across borders.&nbsp;
<h5>Investment in the Drone Industry Crashes (Temporarily)</h5>
In another, not-so-long-ago time, the swift and massive growth of the drone industry seduced significant investment. Now? Perhaps not so much. Market uncertainty and volatility aren't exactly promoting feel-good moments for investors.&nbsp;
<h5 style="font-weight: 500;">Hang On To Your Controllers</h5>
While the tariffs and trade wars can spell impending doom for the Chicken Littles of the world&mdash;and they obviously have good reason to scream that the sky is falling&mdash;business challenges can also open up business opportunities. Granted, it's probably a bad move to sit back and see how things play out. However, U.S. companies who have relied on technological innovation, need only embrace the potential shifts of a new normal, and transform their corporate strategies to flourish in a post-China business environment.
What are your thoughts?
Write us at <a href="mailto:mmolenda@thedroningcompany.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mmolenda@thedroningcompany.com</a>
&nbsp;

Are We Crewed or Screwed?

16 April 2025
<div class="halfway_hardwall_3">If you're a drone company trying to follow Donald Trump's "America First" mandate&mdash;good luck.</div>
<div class="halfway_hardwall_3">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="halfway_hardwall_3">At present, China controls approximately 90 percent of the commercial drone market across the planet, and the country also makes a significant amount of the airframes, batteries, and other essential hardware needed to manufacture drones.</div>
<div class="halfway_hardwall_3">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="halfway_hardwall_3">China could shut down the drone industry globally for a year,&rdquo; said Trent Emeneker, a team leader at the Pentagon&rsquo;s Defense Innovation Unit.</div>
<div class="halfway_hardwall_3">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="halfway_hardwall_3">Of course, this type of scenario is what the Trump Administration's tariffs are supposed to fight off, as it seeks to encourage American companies to source parts and build drones on U.S. soil. Unfortunately, building American drones here at home using solely U.S.-made parts could take years and a hefty level of investment. In the meantime, a Commerce Department chief legal officer Jai Ramaswamy has stated: &ldquo;Immediately removing all foreign adversary-based sources of supply for critical drone components would have a catastrophic effect on the American drone industry."</div>
<div class="halfway_hardwall_3">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="halfway_hardwall_3">Why are your thoughts...</div>
<div>
<div class="G9049W9y SfBp78q9 _1apm68B5 L996f LfzXb vKVY8 inlineAdContainer" tabindex="-1" role="presentation" aria-hidden="true" data-testid="ad-container">&nbsp;</div>
</div>

Opinion: Can the Drone Industry Erase China?

Product News

16 April 2025
Organizers of <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.expouav.com/?utm_source=marketo&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=cuave-ab-announcement-pr&amp;utm_content=attendee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commercial UAV Expo</a>, the world&rsquo;s leading commercial drone trade show and conference, have announced the 2025 Advisory Board. Composed of influential leaders across the unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) ecosystem, the Advisory Board will help guide the development of conference programming, provide strategic insight, and support the event&rsquo;s ongoing mission to serve as the premier platform for commercial drone innovation.
The 11th edition of Commercial UAV Expo will take place September 2&ndash;4, 2025 at Caesars Forum, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, and will build off last year&rsquo;s theme: &ldquo;Drones in Action: Current Realities &amp; Future Frontiers.&rdquo;
&ldquo;This year&rsquo;s Advisory Board reflects the full breadth of the unmanned aerial vehicles industry,&rdquo; said Lee Corkhill, Group Director at Diversified Communications, organizer of the event. &ldquo;Their expertise ensures that our programming stays practical, forward-thinking, and relevant for UAV professionals at every level.&rdquo;
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/bO3tBBYwtNMiN0vyc2MYEYEIpfKqYbxUMPAcjzTO.jpg" alt="" width="680" height="356" />
The 2025 Advisory Board includes experts representing drone manufacturing, pilots and field operations, service providers, software solutions providers, public safety, construction, energy, and beyond. These leaders bring deep experience and valuable insight into the current state and future potential of drone technology
<ul>
<li>Wayne Baker, Director of Stakeholder Engagement &ndash; DJI</li>
<li>Dallas Brooks, Aviation Outreach &amp; Standards Lead &ndash; Wing</li>
<li>Keaton Denzer, Chief UAS Pilot &ndash; Bechtel</li>
<li>Chris Fleming, CEO &ndash; Cyberhawk</li>
<li>Nitin Gupta, Founder &amp; CEO &ndash; FlytBase</li>
<li>Ashley Hanson, Unmanned Aviation Systems Manager &ndash; John Deere</li>
<li>Thomas Haun, President &ndash; Turner Staffing Group</li>
<li>Cynthia Huang, CEO &ndash; ACSL Inc.</li>
<li>Michael Leo, Captain &ndash; FDNY Robotics</li>
<li>Bobby Sakaki, CEO &ndash; UAS Nexus</li>
<li>Ben Stocker, Construction Technologist &ndash; Skender</li>
</ul>
To view full biographies of the 2025 Advisory Board members, visit <a href="https://www.expouav.com/advisory-board/?utm_source=marketo&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=cuave-ab-announcement-pr&amp;utm_content=attendee">www.expouav.com/advisory-board</a>
Registration for Commercial UAV Expo will open in May. Commercial drone professionals are encouraged to register early to secure discounted conference pricing and to fill out the <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.expouav.com/attend/?utm_source=marketo&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=cuave-ab-announcement-pr&amp;utm_content=attendee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Attendee Inquiry form</a> to receive updates about the event.
<h5>About Commercial UAV Expo</h5>
<a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.expouav.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commercial UAV Expo</a>, presented by <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.commercialuavnews.com/?utm_source=marketo&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=cuave-ab-announcement-pr&amp;utm_content=attendee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commercial UAV News</a>, is an international conference and expo exclusively focused on commercial UAS integration and operation. The event will take place September 2-4, 2025, at Caesars Forum in Las Vegas, NV. For more information, visit <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.expouav.com/?utm_source=marketo&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=cuave-ab-announcement-pr&amp;utm_content=attendee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">www.expouav.com</a>&nbsp;
Commercial UAV Expo is produced by Diversified&rsquo;s technology portfolio, which also includes Commercial UAV News, Commercial UAV Forum, Geo Week, Geo Week Newsletter, Geo Business (UK), and Digital Construction Week (UK).

Commercial UAV Expo Announces 2025 Advisory Board

Above photo: Nate Ernst, founder and president of Tactien.
15 April 2025
<a href="https://www.warren.edu/academics/drones-unmanned-systems/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">WarrenUAS</a>, one of the top drone training and research programs in the country, has added to its deep ties in the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) industry through a new collaborative agreement with the The <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.tactiengroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Tactien Group LLC</a>, a leading aviation strategic advisory firm guiding clients worldwide.
&ldquo;WarrenUAS is one of the best institutions in the country for unmanned system training and research, with a very effective strategic plan for staying abreast of the latest developments in this fast-growing industry,&rdquo; said Nathan (Nate) A. Ernst, founder and president of Tactien. &ldquo;Through this relationship I know that WarrenUAS can benefit from the decades of experience our team has with some of the most sophisticated technology in the field, particularly with larger unmanned systems. Meanwhile, we can gain insight through collaborative research projects like the ones Warren is already undertaking.&rdquo;
Dr. Will Austin, president of Warren County Community College, who has been deeply involved in the development of WarrenUAS on the campus, said the collaboration with Tactien adds a new dimension to the program&rsquo;s expanding offerings.
&ldquo;We have built what I believe is one of the best academic institutions for unmanned systems and now are looking to expand our programming through this relationship with Nate and the Tactien team, which has a solid reputation in the industry as a leader in the operation of even more sophisticated equipment in challenging environments,&rdquo; Austin said.
The agreement with Tactien comes as Warren has brought on Ed Celiano, one of the nation&rsquo;s leading experts in large-scale, complex UAS, and the past executive director of the New Jersey Unmanned Aviation Systems Test Site.
He recently joined the experts at WarrenUAS as a consultant and instructor in the safe planning and operations of large UAS within the National Airspace System. His unmanned systems background began at a firm supplying class two and three intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance systems to the Department of Defense and has spanned years in related industry segments.
Ernst explained that the majority of his firm&rsquo;s work involves integrating small and large UAS along with manned aircraft technologies in support of critical infrastructure, particularly in the utility sector. Celiano, meanwhile brings to Warren extensive expertise and connections in the defense industry.
Ernst has extensive experience with UAS, beginning in 2011 when, in the industry&rsquo;s infancy, he founded his own drone services company. Since that time, he has been responsible for unmanned aircraft deployments weighing as much as 300 pounds as well as helicopter and airplane operations over some of the largest and most complex infrastructure both in the US and abroad. &nbsp;
His team includes aviation experts with specific focuses that support the greater picture of Tactien&rsquo;s mission, providing unbiased strategies for integrating airborne technology for infrastructure. Tactien works with utility operators to understand where airborne technology is of value to them and then works backwards to develop a full-system solution.&nbsp;
He is a much-sought-after speaker on issues related to aviation, presenting at national and international conferences, and has been a key advocate for remote sensing where aircraft at considerable heights can gather detailed information on land.
&ldquo;I&rsquo;m interested in the cutting-edge work WarrenUAS is doing in areas such as the use of UAS in precision agriculture, a sector where the college has developed a specific department to do research and train students. There are so many areas where an academic institution like Warren Community College can explore the application of this technology &ndash; through research and in the training of its students. Graduates will be equipped to enter the many careers that are opening in this industry, or pursue more training, and will understand the latest realities about the technology.&rdquo;
He added that his firm&rsquo;s work, which involves connecting clients with the appropriate aviation firms to efficiently and effectively meet their needs, has provided him and his team with unique insight on the technology &ndash; its capabilities and limitations &ndash; and the direction of the industry.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re strategic assemblers. We help companies and institutions understand UAS for what it really is. Rather than being biased towards one manufacturer or service provider, we provide pragmatic perspectives, not just regarding what technology offers today, but what the industry will offer tomorrow,&rdquo; Ernst said. &ldquo;We then work with clients to take various pieces of industry and develop a future-proofed bespoke solution.&rdquo; &nbsp;
He said the firm&rsquo;s role is to &ldquo;validate through tough questions&rdquo;.
&ldquo;The keynote sessions, marketing collateral, and performance claims are enticing, but we want to ask questions about things that are not normally talked about,&rdquo; he said.
The questions could include: How well does your solution perform under certain situations? What do your relationships look like with your suppliers? How does your solution perform in the field compared to your published specifications? What can you tell me about the process improvements you&rsquo;ve made over time? May we meet your development team?
As an &ldquo;assembler&rdquo;, Ernst said, the firm is not wed to one type of aircraft, technology, or provider, but keeps a consistent pulse on the best technology and bring it to their customer when the best solution calls for it, he said. &nbsp;
&ldquo;In this role we understand the difference between what works and what doesn&rsquo;t work as well as is claimed. The roadmap to &ndash; and direction of &ndash;&nbsp;the UAS industry is different for every sector, particularly with larger systems, bigger payloads and more sophisticated technology.
Tactien&rsquo;s clients include:
<ul>
<li>Utility companies &ndash; electric water, oil and gas</li>
<li>Infrastructure manufacturers &ndash; the world&rsquo;s leading designer and manufacturer of critical infrastructure components in the electric, solar, and transportation (including electric transmission structures, solar panel assemblies and roadway structures).</li>
<li>Aviation service providers &ndash; helicopter-based powerline construction, airborne vegetative management, RF-detection for arcing, leaking and tracking and remote sensing (UAS, helicopter, &amp; fixed-wing).</li>
<li>Aircraft manufacturers &ndash; UAS</li>
<li>Software as a Service companies &ndash; asset management, predictive analytics and inspection services.</li>
</ul>
The five-year-old WarrenUAS program is considered by many industry leaders as the best UAS educational institution in the country, now located in two new facilities where its students have access to more than 100 UAS systems worth over $5-million and the latest technology for programming and maintaining the equipment.
It has a close relationship with Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, sharing research and training opportunities and creating a pathway for students to get advanced-level degrees in UAS.
It is now training a steady stream of graduates, who often make more than $100,000 as a starting salary. Graduates are working in fields ranging from rail line and transit inspection, delivery services, automating buildings, drone light show companies, and several industries from real estate photography to conducting environmental and waterway health studies for a large utility.
Warren has hired faculty specifically to work with students on drone maintenance to build a pathway for them to become maintenance experts in the fast-growing field and in precision agriculture to train students and gather and latest research in use of robotics and drones in agriculture. Austin and his team are also planning for development of WarrenUAS as a &ldquo;hardware accelerator or technology incubator&rdquo; for startup companies in the field and a center for research and development for the industry.
&ldquo;This partnership is the next logical step for our college&rsquo;s program. To work with one of the best firms in the nation conducting large scale advanced drone operations can only serve to continue to distinguish our graduates from those flying Phantoms in test prep classes,&rdquo; Austin said. &ldquo;The WarrenUAS program is designed with aviation at its core, and Tactien is one of the leading aviation service providers, successfully integrating unmanned systems technology into its services. Knowing that our faculty and students will have an opportunity to work with these experts only ensures that WarrenUAS remains a cutting-edge enterprise,&rdquo; concluded Dr. Austin.
&nbsp;

WarrenUAS Inks Collaboration Deal with Tactien

15 April 2025
Diversified, organizers of <a href="https://www.expouav.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commercial UAV Expo</a>, the world&rsquo;s leading commercial drone trade show and conference, is proud to announce the launch of <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.forumuav.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commercial UAV Forum</a>, taking place 22-23 April 2026 at RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands.
The event marks a new chapter in Europe&rsquo;s drone industry landscape, designed specifically to meet the growing demand for a focused, high-value platform dedicated to uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) in industrial applications. Commercial UAV Forum will bring together drone pilots, project managers, service and solution providers, regulators, and innovators for two days of education, networking, and discovery.
&ldquo;We are thrilled to introduce Commercial UAV Forum as the next expansion of the Commercial UAV brand,&rdquo; said Lee Corkhill, Group Director at Diversified. &ldquo;This new format emphasizes community, actionable content, and strategic connection&mdash;key ingredients to accelerating the safe and effective adoption of drone technology across Europe&rsquo;s core sectors.&rdquo;
Commercial UAV Forum 2026 will feature a focused exhibit floor showcasing cutting-edge UAV hardware, software, and supporting technologies. Attendees will gain insights through solution-focused educational sessions, participate in practical discussions on real-world applications, and engage directly with key stakeholders shaping the future of UAV regulation and innovation across Europe.
This focused forum will serve vertical industries such as construction, energy &amp; utilities, public safety &amp; emergency services, infrastructure, agriculture, ports, mining, and drone delivery, offering professionals the knowledge and relationships needed to thrive in a fast-evolving market.
More details, including the call for speakers and registration information, will be announced in the coming months. Commercial drone professionals are encouraged to fill out the <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.forumuav.com/attend/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Attendee Inquiry form</a> to receive updates about the event.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/f741yUS8uQnT0d50tt3MqVYbRaReIcdmiiyQJcHe.png" alt="" width="322" height="105" />
<h5>About Commercial UAV Forum</h5>
Organized by the team behind <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.expouav.com/?utm_source=marketo&amp;utm_medium=pr&amp;utm_campaign=cuavf-announcement&amp;utm_content=attendee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commercial UAV Expo</a> in the United States and presented by <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.commercialuavnews.com/?utm_source=marketo&amp;utm_medium=pr&amp;utm_campaign=cuavf-announcement&amp;utm_content=attendee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Commercial UAV News</a>, Commercial UAV Forum is Europe&rsquo;s highly-focused gathering for professionals integrating and operating UAS in industrial applications across Europe. The event will take place 22-23 April at RAI Amsterdam, Netherlands.
Commercial UAV Forum is produced by Diversified&rsquo;s technology portfolio, which also includes Commercial UAV News, Commercial UAV Expo, Geo Week, Geo Week Newsletter, Geo Business (UK), and Digital Construction Week (UK).
For more information about exhibiting at Commercial UAV Forum, visit the <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.forumuav.com/exhibit/?utm_source=marketo&amp;utm_medium=pr&amp;utm_campaign=cuavf-announcement&amp;utm_content=attendee" target="_blank" rel="noopener">exhibitor information</a> page or contact Carmella Perrone, Sales Manager, at <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="mailto:CPerrone@divcom.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CPerrone@divcom.com</a>&nbsp;or Dominique Caron, Account Executive, at <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="mailto:DCaron@divcom.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">DCaron@divcom.com.</a>

Commercial UAV Forum 2026

11 April 2025
As a horrific tornado destroyed their home in Tylertown, Mississippi, Curtis Bush was on the road while his wife and 17-year-old son were watching the walls come down. Quick thinking to don motorcycle helmets likely saved their lives, but they suffered broken bones severe enough to require a week in the hospital.&nbsp;
But tragedy wasn't done with the Bush family yet. One of their dogs perished in the storm, and another, Linus, a yellow Lab, was missing.
However, help&mdash;and hope&mdash;was on the way.
The <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.facebook.com/msanimalproject" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Mississippi Animal Project</a> reached out to drone pilot Jason Miller of <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://raven6rising.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Raven 6 Rising</a> to assist in the search for lost pets, and he started looking for Linus&mdash;a true needle-in-a-haystack operation, even for a drone equipped with thermal imaging.
Working from reported sightings, Miller flew grid patterns in the areas&mdash;places where even downed trees could look like a dog.
But then&mdash;success.
Linus was found just 1,000 yards away from his former home near a Dollar General store.
"Ten days and nobody had seen him. So you kind of lose hope," said Bush, who rushed to the area where Miller's drone had spotted Linus. "The community was constantly searching for him, and then Jason came in and was able to actually find him. It was a blessing."
Seemingly confused over all of the fuss at the time, Linus is now back where he belongs.
This is the story of a miracle. A drone miracle...
<h5>Watch the Story</h5>
<iframe style="width: 672px; height: 378px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kgkh0PTWUKM?si=0biHF8u40JBiFwM_" width="672" height="378" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

Drone Finds Linus the Dog After Ten Days Missing

11 April 2025
<a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.uavnavigation.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UAV Navigation-Grupo Oes&iacute;a</a>, a leading European manufacturer of guidance, navigation, and control systems for unmanned platforms, has collaborated with its client <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.uav-stol.com/en/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">PRIMOCO UAV</a> to obtain the STANAG 4703 certification of the One 150 UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) from <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.uav-stol.com/es/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Primoco UAV SE</a>.
This milestone marks the first time that an unmanned aircraft in its category has obtained both North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) military certification (STANAG 4703) and the Light UAS Operator Certificate (LUC) at SAIL III from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
This dual certification is the result of five years of rigorous testing and development, during which UAV Navigation-Grupo Oes&iacute;a played a key role by providing critical technology to ensure the reliability and robustness of the PRIMOCO One 150&rsquo;s flight control system. Thanks to its cutting-edge autopilot capabilities, the UAV met stringent safety and operational requirements in shared airspace.
"This milestone not only reaffirms the quality and reliability of our navigation and control systems but also demonstrates our ability to support our customers in the most demanding certification processes worldwide," stated Miguel &Aacute;ngel de Frutos, Director and CTO of UAV Navigation-Grupo Oes&iacute;a. "Our commitment to safety and technological innovation is our top priority, and this certification is a testament to that."
The certification process included more than 200 verifications, 170 test flights, and nearly 50 ground tests, collecting an extensive volume of data that validated the performance of UAV Navigation-Grupo Oes&iacute;a&rsquo;s flight control system. The Spanish autopilot manufacturer has also contributed by providing evidence and a certification data pack confirming the robustness and reliability of the flight control system.
This advanced technology has been crucial in demonstrating the One 150&rsquo;s ability to operate safely alongside manned aircraft and other certified UAVs in complex environments.
In addition to this military certification, the civilian EASA LUC obtained for SAIL III enables the One 150 to operate over urban areas with population densities of up to 5,000 inhabitants per square kilometer, significantly expanding its range of civilian applications.
With this historical certification, UAV Navigation-Grupo Oes&iacute;a reaffirms its position as a leader in guidance, navigation, and control technologies for unmanned aerial systems, contributing decisively and accompanying its customers in the certification processes to the development and certification of UAVs in both the military and civilian markets.
<h5>About UAV Navigation - Grupo Oes&iacute;a</h5>
UAV Navigation-Grupo Oes&iacute;a is a company specializing in the design of guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) solutions for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) since 2004. UAV Navigation-Grupo Oes&iacute;a's flight solutions are used by a wide range of leading aerospace manufacturers for a variety of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), also known as remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) or "drones."
UAV Navigation is part of the Grupo Oes&iacute;a, a Spanish multinational company dedicated to dual-use digital and industrial engineering, which develops and implements projects in more than 40 countries. It has 3,600 professionals in 19 corporate headquarters in Europe, Latin America and Asia. Throughout almost 50 years of experience, it has innovated products and services that benefit millions of people around the world, with the aim of creating a better, more efficient, safer, and sustainable world. &nbsp;
The industrial companies within the Grupo Oes&iacute;a ecosystem are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining cutting-edge technology for the Security, Defense, and Aerospace sectors, with a long track record of work in avionics for significant projects such as the Eurofighter EF-2000, A-400M, F-18, C-295, P3-B Orion, and MH-60R. The group is now involved in the most important UAV projects, including FCAS/NGWS, Eurodrone, and SIRTAP, among others.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<h5>About PRIMOCO UAV SE </h5>
Since 2015, the Czech company Primoco UAV SE has been developing and manufacturing civilian and military One 150 UAVs, capable of flying completely independently according to programmed flight plans. The key features of the aircraft are its size, maximum take-off weight of 150 kg, endurance of up to 15 hours depending on equipment, cruising speed of 120 km/h, payload of up to 30 kg, and fully automatic take-off and landing. Primoco One 150 has the EASA LUC SAIL III civil operating authorization and is in the process of NATO STANAG 4703 certification. The company focuses on civil and military aeronautical applications, particularly in the areas of reconnaissance, energy, border and coastal security, and intelligence. More than 200 Primoco aircraft produced to date are in service in 15 different countries on four continents - from Germany to Malaysia. Primoco UAV is a publicly traded company on the main market of the Prague Stock Exchange.&nbsp;
&nbsp;

UAV Navigation-Grupo Oesía Obtains key STANAG 4703 Rating

10 April 2025
<a href="https://gremsy.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Gremsy</a> is pleased to announce that the <a href="https://gremsy.com/products/product-payloads/eo-ir-payloads/vio" target="_blank" rel="noopener">VIO F1</a>, our advanced (EO/IR/LRF) payload, has officially been added to the Blue UAS Framework. This achievement marks a significant step forward in the company&rsquo;s mission to provide secure, reliable, and high-performance UAV imaging solutions in multiple applications.
<h5>Cutting-Edge Aerial Solution for Critical Missions</h5>
Designed with precision stabilization, compact form factor, and rapid integration capabilities, Gremsy&rsquo;s VIO F1 is engineered to deliver unparalleled performance.
Let&rsquo;s find out what VIO F1 has to offer to be approved in DIU&rsquo;s Blue List:
<ul>
<li>High Endurance and Precision EO/IR/LRF Capabilities &ndash; Enables real-time situational awareness in various complex environments.</li>
<li>Compact and Lightweight Design &ndash; Ideal for integration into a wide range of UAV platforms.</li>
<li>Advanced Stabilization Technology &ndash; Ensures superior image clarity and precision for reconnaissance and inspection missions.</li>
<li>Seamless System Integration &ndash; Built to support quick and efficient deployment across multiple industries.</li>
</ul>
By meeting the security and interoperability requirements of the DIU&rsquo;s Blue UAS program, the VIO F1 is not only an innovative payload but also a commercial enabler for businesses seeking reliable UAV imaging solutions.
<h5>Blue UAS Certification</h5>
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/VVXi1OspAtE8fsDCmSz16BXpvFqt7LLYMvR5R4C5.jpg" alt="" width="676" height="468" />
Photo: VIO F1 is DIU verified after being validated through UAS Platforms and Capabilities Field Tests for government uses.
Toward any OEMs, system integrators, UAV manufacturers, the Blue UAS approval of the VIO F1 brings several strategic advantages:
<ul>
<li>Streamlined Procurement Processes &ndash; Eliminates lengthy approval cycles by offering a pre-cleared, ready-to-deploy payload.</li>
<li>Enhanced Cybersecurity and Supply Chain Assurance &ndash; Reduces risk by ensuring all components meet strict security and compliance standards.</li>
<li>Increased Market Access for any partners within Gremsy&rsquo;s network &ndash; Strengthens the commercial positioning of a comprehensive UAV and payload systems together, accelerating adoption in government and industrial markets.</li>
</ul>
<h5>Unlock New Opportunities with VIO F1</h5>
By achieving Blue UAS clearance, Gremsy reinforces its position as a trusted provider of advanced UAV payload solutions
<ul>
<li>In the markets where security compliance is an important factor, Gremsy gradually reduces barriers to entry, allowing businesses to focus on innovation and performance enhancements rather than compliance challenges.</li>
<li>As a trusted payload provider for high-stakes operations, Gremsy gains a competitive edge in comparison with other payload makers.</li>
<li>Organizations integrating VIO F1, which is a pre-cleared, government-approved payload, can ensure long-term compliance and uninterrupted market access.</li>
</ul>
With these advantages in place, businesses seeking advanced UAV imaging solutions can now seamlessly integrate the VIO F1 into their operations.
<h5>Learn More</h5>
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Gremsy VIO F1 Achieves Blue UAS Clearance

09 April 2025
Although President Donald Trump has designated Mexican drug cartels as foreign terrorist organizations&mdash;and Elon Musk has posted the label means the USA can launch drone strikes against them&mdash;assistant defense secretary for special operations Colby Jenkins informed a Senate committee that isn't exactly the case.
Jenkins clarified that the designation "helps us unlock the doors" for the United States to seek more aggressive approaches to combat the country's drug problem, but it does not automatically provide authority to unleash drone attacks at the cartels in Mexico.
However, while it appears the option remains on the table anyway, unnamed U.S. intelligence officials claim it would be a last resort to send drones to Mexico in an attempt to halt the flow of drugs into American without notifying the Mexican government.
Interestingly, the U.S. is already sharing drone data on the cartels with Mexico. A covert CIA intelligence operation, started during the Biden administration, secretly flew drones over areas in Mexico to track cartel activity and identify fentanyl manufacturing&mdash;which can be discovered due to airborne chemicals. All reconnaissance data from the secret flights was disclosed to Mexican authorities.
Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed the U.S. has been running surveillance drones across Mexico's airspace.
While launching drones into another country makes headlines, the commander of U.S. Northern Command, General Gregory Guillot, informed senators he would request authority from Congress for &ldquo;more advise-and-assist types of operations" between special forces units from Mexico and America.
Time will tell what path the U.S. will take to battle the fentanyl crisis.
(A ray of hope is, according to the CDC's National Center for Health Statistics, drug overdose deaths declined 25.5% between October 2023 to October 2024.)
<h5>Learn More</h5>
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Can We Unleash Drones on Mexican Cartels?

09 April 2025
<a href="https://www.flyzipline.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Zipline</a> &mdash; which, as we reported in 2022, has already made <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/blog/medical-supplies-delivered-by-drones-saving-lives-in-africa" target="_blank" rel="noopener">often-lifesaving medical deliveries in Africa</a> &mdash; is bringing drone delivery to the Dallas-Fort Worth suburb of Mesquite, and, expected soon, Seattle.
Critically, given the miles that delivery drones must fly to complete their missions, Zipline was granted clearance for BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) operations&mdash;the first commercial company to receive such approval. One of the reasons, Zipline's drones have been able to acquire FAA part 107, 108, and 135 classifications to do their work is partly due to sensors and safety. Zipline craft deploy FAA-required transponder data to navigate controlled airspace&mdash;such as around airports&mdash;as well as detection devices to automatically steer clear of other aircraft. In addition, onboard sensors help the drones avoid probelmatic weather by re-routing flight paths. They can even send weather reports back to the control center to update other drones about the situation.
Zipline's UAV&mdash;or UAVs, we shoud say&mdash;are unique. The design slated for Dallas is a drone within a drone. The Zipline P2 craft, which has five propellers, arrives at the delivery site and then releases a second, smaller drone called a Zip that is guided by a tether as it targets the final location. The P2 is capable of flying ten miles and can handle a cargo capacity of eight pounds.
Zipline also utilizes a P1 drone, a fixed-wing craft that can fly around 120 miles on a charge, and drops it cargo using a parachute.
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<figure class="ars-wp-img-shortcode id-2087456 align-none">
Although drone deliveries may be the future, the business of enacting them has been fraught. A giant such as Amazon, for example, has had some misfires with its drone delivery initiatives, and temporarily paused its program last year, before resuming flights in Texas and Arizone.
However, if productivity is the key to eventual success, Zipline can boast it currently delivers thousands of packages per day. For its part, it's reported that Amazon's recent deliveries have totaled less than 10,000.
Stay tuned to The Droning Company to chart advancements and real-world successes in drone-delivery tech.&nbsp;
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</figure>

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