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22 December 2025
<a href="https://www.jsw.in/jsw-defence/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">JSW Defence Pvt. Ltd</a> today commenced construction of its facility for the next-generation Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) at EMC Maheshwaram, Hyderabad.
JSW has entered into a strategic partnership with <a href="https://shield.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Shield AI</a> &ndash; a leading US-based defence technology company &ndash; to manufacture their Group 3 UAS - VBAT, under a long-term licensing arrangement for Transfer of Technology (ToT).
As part of the partnership, the JSW Group will invest around US$ 90 Million to establish JSW&rsquo;s global compliance programme, a manufacturing facility to ensure proper technology licensing, and training of manpower. This investment will enable JSW to establish a local supply chain and create an advanced facility in India for manufacturing, assembling and testing V-BAT. This effort will enable large-scale production of V-BATs in India to serve the needs of the Indian Armed Forces and also function as a global production hub.
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/YpDSHt45TA9Kf44Uta1g7yVp2qgi163ZZEdZxsLP.jpg" alt="" width="630" height="294" />
The manufacturing of VBATs at the facility is expected to commence by the last quarter of 2026.
The foundation stone laying ceremony of the plant was performed by&nbsp;Mr. Parth Jindal&nbsp;of the JSW Group, in the presence of&nbsp;Shri Duddilla Sridhar Babu, Honourable Minister for IT, E&amp;C and Industries &amp; Commerce, Telangana,&nbsp;senior officials from the state government, Shield AI and the Indian Armed Forces.
<div class="col-12 col-md-6">Mr. Parth Jindal of JSW Group said, &ldquo;Today&rsquo;s milestone signals a bold new chapter in India&rsquo;s journey toward self-reliance in next-generation defence technologies. Our collaboration with Shield AI reflects our shared ambition to bring mission-critical, globally benchmarked capabilities to India and to build an ecosystem that will define the future of unmanned systems for the nation.</div>
From manufacturing the globally renowned V-BAT at scale, the facility will lay the foundation for an integrated, end-to-end UAS ecosystem, from advanced manufacturing to operator training, MRO and sustained innovation. This project stands among the most significant defence technology transfers to India, and underscores our&nbsp;unwavering commitment to strengthen the country&rsquo;s strategic capabilities and establishing India as a global leader in the unmanned aerial systems domain.&rdquo;
<div class="col-12 col-md-6">Mr. Sarjan Shah, Shield AI&rsquo;s Managing Director for India, said, &ldquo;Shield AI is proud to be working alongside JSW in creating an indigenous production ecosystem for the V-BAT. The establishment of this world-class facility sets in motion, the joint vision of the JSW Group and Shield AI to deepen Indo&ndash;US defence collaboration built on trust, transparency and shared strategic priorities. JSW&rsquo;s scale, industrial expertise and commitment to building strategic technologies in India make them an ideal partner for us as we work to expand the global footprint of the V-BAT.&rdquo;The V-BAT is a fixed-wing, vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), long endurance intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR) platform, currently deployed by multiple armed forces around the world, including the United States&rsquo; Marine Expeditionary Units (MEUs). It provides cutting-edge ISR functionality in a highly tactical system, capable of being forward deployed in complex and adversarial territory in order to provide a range of flexible solutions to special forces, front-line infantry, armoured and artillery units. V-BAT has a unique patented ducted design with the advantage of a small logistics footprint and ease of rapid deployment.</div>
<div class="col-12 col-md-6">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="col-12 col-md-6">This technology is expected to be a game-changer in modern warfare, significantly elevating the nation&rsquo;s military unmanned aerial systems prowess.Aligned with the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat, this initiative will develop and strengthen Telangana&rsquo;s industrial ecosystem, creating high-quality employment and reinforcing India&rsquo;s national security.</div>

JSW Defence to Construct Next-Gen UAS Facility in India

Trending News

22 December 2025
On December 18, President Trump signed law S.1071, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026.
In his "Statement By The President" on that date, Trump stated: "The Act will enable the Department of War to carry out my Peace Through Strength agenda, protect the homeland from domestic and foreign threats, and strengthen the defense industrial base...Over the next three years, the United States will host numerous major events that necessitate new authorities to combat emerging security threats. The Act includes the critical SAFER SKIES Act, which provides State and local law enforcement with the authority to protect against unmanned aircraft when they present a threat to the public and creates a new felony offense for a second violation of national defense airspace."
The Safer Skies Act is obviously of most interest to the drone community, as it provides state and local authorities the power to deploy technology to thwart UAV threats at sporting events, concerts, festivals, and other large public gatherings.
The NFL, in particular, has sought the assistance of a law such as S.1071 for at least three years, citing more than 2,000 unlawful drone flights over stadiums during that time. While the FAA temporarily restricts the airspace around a stadium from one hour before and one hour after a game&mdash;the limitations being flights below 3,000 feet and within three miles of the event&mdash;drones often defy the restrictions.
Even more remarkably, thousands of NFL amd Major League Baseball games have been played without local officials on-site with the legal authority to bring down drones. In fact, such actions in the past required federal law enforcement to be on hand to disable unauthorized drones, and only the Super Bowl, World Series, and World Cup final were eligible for such action.
"We thank President Trump and our Congressional champions from both political parties who took decisive action to keep fans safe," said NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. "With a rising number of drones flying in restricted airspace, it is critical that state and local law enforcement have the tools to prevent harm. This important step will help protect fans at stadiums across the country."
Bouyed by bipartisan support, the Safer Skies/National Defense Authorization Act passed the Senate before Trump's signature, and opened the door for state and local officials to receive the same training, as well as the ability to take action, as federal agents who may be on location during massive events.
"As drones become more common, the risk of them causing disruptions or being used for malicious activities at sporting events only grows stronger," stated Senator Gary Peters (D-Michigan). "Law enforcement officials must be able to protect stadiums in their communities from these growing threats&mdash;especially as the United States prepares to host next summer's FIFA World Cup and the upcoming 2028 LA Olympics."
<h5>Learn More</h5>
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Safer Skies Act Signed Into Law

Above photo: Multi-class XTEND drones simultaneously controlled by Lockheed Martin Skunk Works MDCX.
18 December 2025
<a href="https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/who-we-are/business-areas/aeronautics/skunkworks.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Lockheed Martin Skunk Works</a> and <a href="https://www.xtend.me/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">XTEND</a> collaborated to integrate the XTEND Operating System (XOS) into Skunk Works' MDCX autonomy platform, allowing simultaneous Command and Control (C2) of multiple classes of UAS, creating improved situational awareness for lower-level mission execution in joint all-domain C2 (JADC2) scenarios.
In November, the two companies demonstrated an integrated Multi-Class MDCX (MC-MDCX) workstation in support of a marsupial drone mission. In the demonstration, a larger class UAS delivered a smaller UAS class 1 drone to perform a close-in mission.
In previous constructs the operator of the larger class UAS would pass control over to an operator with lower-level controls for classes 1 or 2 vehicles. These types of controls include first-person views, mark-and-fly commands, and immersive environments for the drone operator to fully execute the mission. With the planned integration of XTEND's XOS into Lockheed Martin's MC-MDCX, a single operator can conduct both missions.
The integration demonstration proved a reduction in total manpower for complex mission executions, removing the need for mission handoffs to lower-tiered operators, and improving situational awareness across the mission space.
XTEND is a leader in&nbsp;combat-proven drone C2 solutions, deployed by militaries around the world. Their products provide a layered response and operational stepdown processes, enabling platform operations even when Global Positions System (GPS) signals are denied, or radio frequency datalinks are jammed. XOS allows new operators to conduct missions at near expert-level proficiency, thus reducing training time, increasing operational effectiveness, and improving informed decision-making. Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and XTEND are now focused on how these techniques can be applied to JADC2 missions and decision loops for advancing autonomous systems.
Skunk Works is dedicated to enabling piloted and drone teaming to optimize operational flexibility, abbreviate data-to-decision timelines and improve pilot safety. We continue to collaborate with and invest in enabling technologies to keep our customers ahead of emerging threats.&nbsp;
<h5 class="mdc-article-paragraph">About Lockheed Martin</h5>
Lockheed Martin is a&nbsp;global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security&reg;&nbsp;vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready.
<h5 class="mdc-article-paragraph">About XTEND</h5>
XTEND's AI-driven autonomous and tactical drone solutions serve the worldwide defense, law enforcement, and security markets, providing mission-critical systems and capabilities. Its proprietary XOS operating system fuses human intelligence and machine autonomy to enhance operator capabilities and reduce cognitive load. XTEND is a global company with offices in&nbsp;Tampa&nbsp;(Florida),&nbsp;Tel Aviv&nbsp;(Israel),&nbsp;Singapore&nbsp;and&nbsp;Latvia.

Skunk Works and XTEND Partner for Advanced Mission Execution

18 December 2025
If you're an Avatar fan, you won't be able to see the third installment of the series&mdash;Avatar: Fire and Ash&mdash;until tomorrow (Friday, December 19), but we can share the Disneyland Paris drone show that celebrates the new movie.
The Paris event featured 3,700 drones that were synchronized to Simon Franglen&rsquo;s soundtrack for Avatar: Fire and Ash.
<h5>Watch the Big Disneyland Paris Drone Show</h5>
<iframe style="width: 681px; height: 383px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5INphixL4Do?si=sqRv_ZhpSyzJrbjQ" width="681" height="383" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

Avatar: Fire and Ash Drone Show!

17 December 2025
<a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://amprius.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amprius Technologies, Inc.</a> a leader in next-generation lithium-ion batteries with its Silicon Anode Platform, has announced the expansion of the <a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://ir.amprius.com/news-events/press-releases/detail/149/amprius-strengthens-global-partnerships-with-launch-of-the-amprius-korea-battery-alliance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amprius Korea Battery Alliance</a>&nbsp;following a successful launch event in Daejeon, South Korea.
The Alliance now includes three additional contract manufacturers who join a consortium of Korean companies that contribute capabilities across the lithium-ion battery value chain, including materials, components, and production equipment. Their participation broadens Amprius&rsquo; global manufacturing network and provides direct access to Korea&rsquo;s advanced battery production ecosystem, supporting the Company&rsquo;s expansion into trusted allied nations.
A central objective of the Alliance is to align Amprius&rsquo; global operations with the requirements of the U.S. National Defense Authorization Act (&ldquo;NDAA&rdquo;). By expanding production partnerships in allied countries, Amprius is strengthening secure and compliant supply chain networks needed to serve defense, aerospace, and critical infrastructure segments.
&ldquo;Deepening our partnerships in Korea enables us to scale efficiently while delivering exactly what our customers require,&rdquo; said Tom Stepien, President of Amprius Technologies. &ldquo;The Alliance anchors Amprius within a world-class lithium-ion battery manufacturing base and allows us to accelerate SiCore&reg; production within an NDAA-compliant framework.&rdquo;
&ldquo;South Korea is a global leader in advanced battery technology, and Amprius is at the forefront of next-generation silicon anode innovation,&rdquo; said Mayor Lee Jang-woo. &ldquo;Expanding their partnerships in Daejeon reinforces the city&rsquo;s standing as a center for energy and materials innovation, and drives new growth across the regional economy.&rdquo;
With the new partners, Amprius&rsquo; contract manufacturing network now exceeds 2 GWh of global capacity. This added scale positions the Company to meet rising demand across its key markets.
The well-attended launch ceremony included Alliance members, local South Korean government officials, investors, industry experts, university researchers, and media. Discussions focused on coordinating production, integrating suppliers, and detailing short-term execution plans.
<h5 class="p3">About Amprius Technologies, Inc.</h5>
Amprius Technologies, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of high-energy and high-power lithium-ion batteries, producing the industry&rsquo;s highest-known energy density cells. The Company&rsquo;s commercially available SiCore batteries deliver up to 450 Wh/kg and 1,150 Wh/L. The Company&rsquo;s corporate headquarters is in Fremont, California, USA where it maintains an R&amp;D lab and a pilot line for the fabrication of silicon anode cells.&nbsp;

Amprius Expands Korea Battery Alliance

17 December 2025
The &ldquo;Direct-to-Device&rdquo; (D2D) revolution, previously dominated by smartphone emergency messaging, has officially expanded into the realm of autonomous robotics.
On December 16, Globalstar and Skydio&mdash;the leading U.S. autonomous drone manufacturer&mdash;announced the successful completion of a technology trial that integrates satellite-licensed spectrum into drone operations.
The trial validated the compatibility of Skydio&rsquo;s X10 drones with Globalstar&rsquo;s licensed Band n53 spectrum and its XCOM RAN private 5G platform. This development disrupts the current D2D narrative&mdash;often focused on consumer handsets and Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)&mdash;by demonstrating satellite spectrum can serve as a critical &ldquo;control link&rdquo; layer for industrial IoT (Internet of Things) and public safety robotics.
<h5>What Is D2D?</h5>
D2D for drones means they communicate directly with each other (or with ground devices) without needing base stations. This creates robust, infrastructure-less networks for tasks such as collision avoidance, emergency relays, content sharing, and coordinated swarm operations. These networks often use 5G or satellite tech for reliability, security, and energy efficiency in challenging environments.&nbsp;
<h5 class="has-hp-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-117d51b5d102a3c14a7e154579d07fd2">Expanding the D2D Ecosystem</h5>
While the satellite industry has focused heavily on connecting consumer smartphones (Supplemental Coverage from Space), this trial highlights a lucrative B2B and government vector for satellite spectrum: high-bandwidth, interference-free control for autonomous systems.
During the trial, the companies evaluated Band n53 and XCOM RAN as high-performance alternatives to traditional Wi-Fi or public cellular networks, which are often unreliable in contested or congested environments. The successful test confirmed that Globalstar&rsquo;s spectrum could support the demanding uplink requirements of autonomous drones, including reliable command and control (C2) and real-time streaming video.
<h5 class="has-hp-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-f0552c4b700959e1a0f806d52f9a4876">Technical Validation</h5>
The trial&rsquo;s success relied on the unique properties of Band n53&mdash;a dedicated mid-band spectrum licensed to Globalstar&mdash;combined with the XCOM RAN architecture, which is designed for high-capacity uplink performance.
Skydio CTO Abe Bachrach highlighted the ease of integration, noting that the team was able to &ldquo;integrate Band n53 using an existing module already supported within Globalstar&rsquo;s ecosystem,&rdquo; allowing for rapid real-world testing. This &ldquo;plug-and-play&rdquo; capability suggests that the hardware barrier for adding satellite-spectrum resilience to commercial drones is lower than previously expected.
<h5 class="has-hp-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-626dfcda25f886eb7631dd70791b3654">Strategic Implications</h5>
For Globalstar, this trial moves the company beyond the &ldquo;emergency SOS&rdquo; market associated with its Apple partnership. It positions Band n53 as a critical enabler for the &ldquo;Internet of Moving Things,&rdquo; particularly for first responders and industrial inspection teams who cannot risk signal loss during a mission.
&ldquo;This trial highlights the strength of Band n53 and the XCOM RAN architecture for high performance uplink applications like autonomous drones,&rdquo; said Dr. Paul E. Jacobs, CEO of Globalstar. &ldquo;We are proud to support a future where first responders have the tools they need to move faster and stay safer.&rdquo;
<h5 class="has-hp-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-medium-font-size wp-elements-fa269a2486ff1068de84022531b23400">Market Outlook</h5>
This validation arrives as regulators and defense agencies increasingly view commercial satellite spectrum as a way to harden the &ldquo;kill chain&rdquo; and supply chain against jamming and interference. By leveraging licensed satellite spectrum rather than crowded public frequencies, operators can ensure &ldquo;sovereign&rdquo; control over their assets&mdash;a key trend in both the commercial and defense sectors.
The successful trial paves the way for mass-market adoption of satellite-spectrum-enabled drones in sectors ranging from public safety to critical infrastructure monitoring, effectively graduating D2D from a consumer safety feature to an industrial necessity.

Globalstar & Skydio Trial Validates D2D for Drones

16 December 2025
The <a href="https://www.temu.com/?_x_ns_irclickid=Rao1NNVOxxycTWhWdZVHGUdiUkpQFMSZISsQ3c0&amp;_x_ns_randint=11739&amp;_x_ns_ts=1765891068311&amp;_x_vst_scene=adg&amp;_x_ns_adtype=ONLINE_TRACKING_LINK&amp;_x_ads_channel=impact&amp;_x_ns_prodsku=&amp;_x_ads_account=18350&amp;_x_ns_mp_value2=&amp;_x_ads_id=1580294&amp;_x_ns_irpid=6711703&amp;_x_ns_irmpgroupname=%22lw%22&amp;_x_ns_sharedid=%7Bantiguanewsroom.com%7D&amp;_x_ns_irmpname=Homevbyz&amp;_x_ns_mp_value3=&amp;_x_ns_irmptype=mediapartner&amp;_x_ns_iradname=Online%2BTracking%2BLink&amp;_x_ns_iradsize=&amp;_x_sessn_id=3lbouwk3tv&amp;refer_page_name=home&amp;refer_page_id=10005_1765955261805_1ckhzuz980&amp;refer_page_sn=10005" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Temu</a> online marketplace is like a discounter mashed up with a casino. Hit the site, and no matter what you're looking for, you'll likely be barraged with pop-ups promising even more incredible deals than a $13 mini chainsaw, or an $11 mattress, or a $77 robo dog, or any number of wonders.
But is it a viable destination for drone purchases?
Many of the products offered on the site are generally cheaply made and of varying quality, and Temu has weathered its share of controversies regarding its labor force, advertising, customer service, and other practices. But if you're looking for a bevy of drones priced under $100&mdash;sometimes way under $100&mdash;Temu is your prime hunting ground.
What can you expect if you take the plunge?
In October 2025, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@UnboxAnalysisOfficial" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Unbox Analysis</a> provided some insight with its review of the top five drones sold on Temu at the time. The YouTube influencer's findings may send you running to more conventional retail outlets, or perhaps entice you to take a chance on what's being offered. Whatever the outcome, the video is interesting, at times humorous, and definitely a peek into the world of deep discounts.
<h5>Get a Peek at What's in Store for Drone Shoppers on Temu</h5>
<iframe style="width: 681px; height: 383px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nJgOGRqFfvc?si=jlZq1Zn5rhDxs2ji" width="681" height="383" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>

Why Would You Buy a Drone From Temu?

Photo courtesy of Northrop Grumman.
16 December 2025
The threat of rogue and enemy drones today is starker than ever. Threats from swarms of drones are no longer on the horizon, they are here. With a proliferation of low-cost systems arming adversaries, U.S. warfighters, allies, and critical infrastructure are at risk.&nbsp;
The solution?&nbsp;<a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/mission-solutions/counter-unmanned-aerial-systems-c-uas/aion-counter-uas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">AiON</a>, Northrop Grumman&rsquo;s pioneering, cost-effective and low-risk counter unmanned aerial system (CUAS) command and control system.&nbsp;
<h5>Proven Capability</h5>
After a decisive performance during a recent live fire test,&nbsp;AiON&nbsp;successfully&nbsp;demonstrated&nbsp;various counter drone capabilities through a prototype project with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). Following this achievement, any U.S. Department of War (DoW) organization may award a follow-on production transaction for&nbsp;AiON&nbsp;without further competition.&nbsp;
AiON&nbsp;was rigorously tested at Yuma Proving Ground, Arizona, where it successfully&nbsp;demonstrated&nbsp;the use of advanced decision aids and full autonomous engagements.
<ul>
<li>AiON&nbsp;showcased&nbsp;its&nbsp;state-of-the-art&nbsp;technology by detecting, tracking,&nbsp;identifying&nbsp;and neutralizing both simulated and real targets during four engagements with perfect precision and efficiency.&nbsp;</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>Beyond its operational excellence,&nbsp;AiON&nbsp;proved its advanced safety features, such as friendly air track avoidance.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>AiON&rsquo;s&nbsp;command and control system also allows operators to manage multiple sites from any location. Its flexible, open architecture&nbsp;facilitates&nbsp;the integration of new&nbsp;application programming interfaces (API),&nbsp;sensors&nbsp;and effectors, providing unmatched agility to counter any UAS threat effectively.</li>
</ul>
&ldquo;Northrop Grumman rapidly developed&nbsp;AiON&nbsp;to meet the urgent needs of the U.S. military,&rdquo; said Kenn Todorov, vice president and general manager, command and control and weapons integration at Northrop Grumman. &ldquo;With&nbsp;AiON&rsquo;s&nbsp;strong performance at Yuma we&rsquo;ve demonstrated our ability to innovate and quickly deliver proven capabilities into the hands of our warfighters.&rdquo;&nbsp;
<h5>The Path Forward</h5>
With any&nbsp;DoW&nbsp;organization now able to award a follow-on production transaction for&nbsp;AiON&nbsp;without further competition, new possibilities are available domestically and abroad for the system.
&ldquo;We see significant future opportunities to partner with other customers and allies who recognize the critical need for innovative solutions like&nbsp;AiON,&rdquo; Todorov said.
<h5>About Northrop Grumman</h5>
With&nbsp;nearly 100,000&nbsp;employees and over 30 million square feet of manufacturing space &ndash; more than 500 football fields &ndash; Northrop Grumman has the capacity, scale, and agility to drive innovation at unprecedented speeds. The company&rsquo;s manufacturing approaches do more than just produce; they accelerate and enhance the entire process from design and development to production and testing. Northrop Grumman has invested in U.S. infrastructure, R&amp;D, its workforce, and its supply chain to deliver today and tomorrow&rsquo;s&nbsp;national security needs.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global aerospace and defense technology company. Our pioneering solutions equip our customers with the capabilities they need to connect and protect the&nbsp;world, and&nbsp;push the boundaries of human exploration across the universe. Driven by a shared purpose to solve our customers&rsquo; toughest problems, our employees define possible every day.
AiON&nbsp;was granted a prototype agreement through DIU's competitive commercial solutions opening (CSO) process, which included a standard cost-sharing arrangement.
<h5>About AiON</h5>
<div class="p-tag">
<div>
AiON is a new&nbsp;<a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.northropgrumman.com/what-we-do/mission-solutions/counter-unmanned-aerial-systems-c-uas" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS)</a>&nbsp;solution from Northrop Grumman. Designed to meet the mission needs of public safety, security, and defense, AiON was built to deliver agility and adaptability to meet the needs of a wide range of operations.
AiON&rsquo;s cutting-edge C-UAS technology has an intuitive user interface, and advanced AI-powered decision aids allow the integration of new technology. AiON is a low cost and low risk command-and-control solution that enables an operator&rsquo;s ability to command multiple sites from anywhere.
Simplifying security operations to a single-click, AiON&rsquo;s open design allows rapid integration of new sensors, effectors and third-party decision algorithms, ensuring adaptability and applicability to a broad range of potential threats and security risks.
AiON&rsquo;s software runs seamlessly on edge devices, mobile devices and web browsers. It integrates smoothly with over 45 different sensors and 50 different effectors, providing flexibility to use the latest anti-drone technology. With AI-enhanced decision aids and an automatic mode, AiON autonomously addresses and manages multiple risks, ensuring efficiency and safety.
<h5>Watch AiON Get Into the Fight</h5>
<iframe style="width: 676px; height: 380px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5Gmzxjibu6M?si=VuePnPLBpsfe_dKH" width="676" height="380" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
</div>
</div>

Northrop Grumman AiON Tackles drone threats

15 December 2025
The <a href="https://www.pendletonuasrange.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Pendleton UAS Range</a> (PUR) is thrilled to announce its new strategic partnership with <a href="https://www.strativgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Strativ Group</a>, a leading global recruitment firm specializing in aerospace and advanced technologies. Through this partnership, PUR customers can now solicit Strativ&rsquo;s bespoke recruitment solutions to identify and onboard engineers, pilots, operators, regulatory experts, and specialized professionals who are critical to accelerating test campaigns, development programs, and flight operations.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;re thrilled to join forces with the Pendleton UAS Range as their trusted recruitment partner,&rdquo; said Nick Worpole, Head of Contract Recruitment at Strativ Group. &ldquo;Pendleton is at the forefront of unmanned aviation innovation, and we&rsquo;re excited to help their clients unlock the very best in UAS and aerospace talent. Our team at Strativ understands the fast-moving demands of this industry, from advanced engineering to operational support, and we&rsquo;re committed to delivering the skilled professionals who will power our clients&rsquo; next big leap.&rdquo;
Strativ&rsquo;s approach complements Pendleton&rsquo;s &ldquo;find a way to yes&rdquo; culture, offering flexible, confidential, and high-quality recruitment services that keep projects moving quickly and efficiently. From candidate screening to long-term workforce planning, the collaboration ensures PUR customers have the skilled teams needed to meet or exceed mission objectives at scale.
&ldquo;Pendleton&rsquo;s success has always been rooted in helping our customers move fast and execute with confidence,&rdquo; said Steve Chrisman, Airport &amp; Economic Development Director for the City of Pendleton. &ldquo;By partnering with Strativ Group, we&rsquo;re extending that same philosophy to workforce development, giving our customers direct access to an elite recruitment network built specifically for the pace and precision of UAS and aerospace operations.&rdquo;
This partnership reinforces Pendleton&rsquo;s commitment to providing the most turnkey testing and development range in the United States, one that not only delivers an exceptional amount of airspace and infrastructure but also the specialized human capital needed to drive innovation forward.
<h5>About Strativ Group </h5>
Strativ Group is a global talent partner specializing in engineering, manufacturing, and technology sectors. With deep expertise in aerospace and unmanned systems recruitment, Strativ delivers bespoke, high-quality solutions designed to meet the most complex technical and operational challenges. From engineers and technicians to regulatory and program management professionals, Strativ helps organizations build the teams that power innovation.&nbsp;
<h5>About Pendleton UAS Range </h5>
Pendleton UAS Range (PUR), owned and operated by the City of Pendleton, is America&rsquo;s most turnkey UAS range for fast, safe, and affordable UAS operations. PUR covers 14,000 sq. mi. of FAAapproved airspace in northeast Oregon with operations approved to 15,000 ft. MSL in over 50 diverse climates and terrains. Purpose-built infrastructure and facilities include state-of-the-art hangars, 16 UAS test pads with water, power, and 10 Gbps fiber, a UAS-friendly air traffic control tower, three mobile command centers, an on-site machine shop, and a 160-acre UAS industrial park with shovel-ready ground. Led by an experienced team that takes the tedium out of testing, PUR is on a mission to fuel UAS innovation, stimulate economic growth, and attract investment to the State of Oregon.

PENDLETON UAS RANGE PARTNERS WITH STRATIV GROUP

15 December 2025
<a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/news/categories/brazzel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">By Timothy Brazzel</a>&nbsp;
On December 9 and 11, I was invited to help teach a group of high school seniors from La Quinta High School in La Quinta, California.
It turned into an experience far more fulfilling than I expected. It was actually one of those rare opportunities that remind you exactly why you fell in love with drones in the first place.&nbsp;
Under the leadership of Skip Fredricks and the steady guidance of Rosann Denton&mdash;both drone cinematographers from <a href="https://www.commercialuavnews.com/supplier-directory/hollywood-drones-dronetv" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hollywood Drones</a> in Palm Springs, California&mdash;I stepped into a classroom of curious, energetic young people who had never flown a drone before. They didn&rsquo;t even know the terminology or the maneuvers. Some had never held a controller in their life.
But what they did have was curiosity.
And if you&rsquo;ve been in the drone world long enough, you know that curiosity is the spark that pulls someone into this field for good. Watching that spark ignite in real time is something special.
<h5 class="p5">Starting with the Basics</h5>
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/By5TEKikTZFkducXEfTiXK8nF2WKEREZJ2UzGkEd.png" alt="" width="459" height="334" />
Before any propellers started spinning, each student completed their TRUST test&mdash;the FAA-required step for recreational flyers. We didn&rsquo;t just hand them drones and say, &ldquo;Have fun.&rdquo; We walked them through what it actually means to fly responsibly.
From there, we covered drone safety, airspace awareness, and basic maintenance&mdash;the stuff most beginners skip, because they want to get straight to the good part. But these kids actually cared. They asked questions. They took notes. They weren&rsquo;t just trying to fly&mdash;they wanted to understand why the rules exist and how to operate drones with confidence.
One student said something that stuck with me: &ldquo;I didn&rsquo;t know flying a drone involved all of this. It&rsquo;s actually kind of serious.&rdquo;
Exactly. And that level of respect is what keeps the skies safe.
<h5 class="p5">The Five Maneuvers that Unlock Everything</h5>
Once we hit the field, the real fun began. I walked them through five simple but foundational drone maneuvers that build muscle memory and coordination:
<ol class="ol1">
<li class="li4">Rise Up</li>
<li class="li4">Drop Down</li>
<li class="li4">Dolly Forward</li>
<li class="li4">Dolly Back</li>
<li class="li4">Track Left/Right</li>
</ol>
When you teach beginners, you can always tell who&rsquo;s going to pick it up quickly. Some were cautious. Some were adventurous. Some were quietly skilled. But without exception, all of them were locked in and focused.
Then came the challenge: a four-point square box formation, clockwise, using only the right stick.
This sounds simple, but it requires real control. You need to keep altitude steady, coordinate corners, and trust your movement. For students who had just learned to take off minutes earlier, this was quite a test.
One by one, they tried. One by one, they succeeded. Their confidence grew by the minute. You could see the shift from, &ldquo;I hope I don&rsquo;t crash&rdquo; to "I&rsquo;m actually getting this.&rdquo;
<h5 class="p5">Cinematic Movement and Drone Storytelling</h5>
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/RZjgzQZN3D8mcUtz1u43dfywtcLsbzkuTssT7idh.png" alt="" width="462" height="391" />
After we laid the foundation, Fredricks stepped in and delivered a short session on drone cinematography: How to move the camera with intention, how to think like a filmmaker, and how certain maneuvers translate into visual storytelling.
Instantly, the students&rsquo; flying changed. They weren&rsquo;t just pushing sticks anymore, they were creating. They were trying arcs, reveals, pullbacks, and angles that showed they were starting to see drones as something more than toys.
It&rsquo;s incredible how quickly creativity unlocks once the basics click. You give someone skill, then you give them imagination. And you get something powerful.
<h5 class="p5">Tech That Lights Up a New Generation</h5>
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/0L1dPBji3nHIhLfqfQDJiYgsAm5AIxSz4bJO6GZI.png" alt="" width="459" height="309" />
If you ever want to see teenagers get excited, hand them a drone with active tracking and gesture control. The DJI Flip and the Neo 2 stole the show. The active tracking modes had them laughing like they just discovered superpowers. The hand-gesture technology on the Neo 2 genuinely blew their minds.
Every new feature sparked questions: &ldquo;Can it follow a bike? Can it track a person if they run? Can this shoot a music video? How far does gesture control work?&rdquo;
This is the type of curiosity we need in the drone community. Not fear. Just excitement, discovery, and possibility.
<h5 class="p5">The Drone Community Needs to Stop Gatekeeping</h5>
This experience also made me reflect on something I shared in a video I recorded during the training.&nbsp;
The drone community needs to reach a place where we become teachers, not gatekeepers. Too many people in the drone world guard knowledge like it&rsquo;s a secret treasure. They hold onto skills, connections, and opportunities, instead of sharing them.
But here&rsquo;s the truth...
If we want the drone industry to grow, we have to grow the people in it. If we want better pilots, we need more mentors. If we want innovation, we need fresh minds entering the space.
We need programmers, software engineers, design engineers, and drone repair specialists for consumer and enterprise drones. This is not just to help make better drones and advance drone technology, but also to educate and train others how to do the same, so the U.S. eventually becomes a manufacturing hub for innovation, technology, drone parts, repairs, software engineering, and so forth.
There are aspiring pilots everywhere: Young people, content creators, hobbyists, future professionals, and students who simply need someone to say, &ldquo;Yeah, you can do this. Let me show you how.&rdquo;
Knowledge isn&rsquo;t currency. Knowledge is legacy. And legacy is something you build by giving away what you know.
<h5 class="p5">How Are You Positioning Yourself for 2026?</h5>
The question I&rsquo;ve been asking myself&mdash;and now I&rsquo;m asking you&mdash;is simple: How are you positioning yourself in 2026 to mentor, educate, or inspire someone else?
Because drones aren&rsquo;t slowing down. Technology isn&rsquo;t slowing down. Opportunities aren&rsquo;t slowing down.
But people will get left behind if we don&rsquo;t step up and help them.
Mentorship doesn&rsquo;t always come from a classroom:
&bull; It can be answering questions in a Facebook group.&bull; It can be showing your little cousin how to take off.
&bull; It can be explaining camera settings to a new pilot at the park.
&bull; It can be posting educational content online.
&bull; It can be volunteering at a local school or youth center.
&bull; It can be taking a beginner under your wing and helping them grow.
Small seeds turn into big trees. You don&rsquo;t always know who you&rsquo;re inspiring. You don&rsquo;t always know whose life changes because you took five minutes to teach them something new.
<h5 class="p5">My Mission</h5>
These last two days didn&rsquo;t just teach the students something. They taught me something, too.
They reminded me why I created <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Inspirewithdrones3342" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Inspire With Drones</a>&mdash;to give back, to educate, and to open doors for people who might never have walked through them without a little encouragement.
There&rsquo;s a quote I love that fits perfectly here: &ldquo;A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.&rdquo;
That&rsquo;s mentorship. That&rsquo;s community. That&rsquo;s the future of the drone world.
And if these high school students are any indication of what&rsquo;s coming, we&rsquo;re in good hands. The next generation is bright, curious, fearless, and ready for opportunities. They just need someone to hand them the controller.
<h5 class="p5">Closing Thoughts</h5>
<img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/BnaBnIhoENFElVBUT3wLfCHySCsL7VTTBn8elgJb.png" alt="" width="463" height="310" />
This experience was more than teaching basic maneuvers, showing off new drone tech, and watching first-time flyers take off with shaky hands and big smiles. It was a reminder that we all have something to give. We all have something we can teach. We all have the power to inspire.
So, here&rsquo;s my challenge to you: Don&rsquo;t gatekeep. Give back. Mentor someone. Teach someone. Encourage someone. The future of drone piloting depends on what we choose to share today.
And trust me&mdash;the next generation is ready to fly.

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