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<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>15 December 2025</em></span></p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.pendletonuasrange.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Pendleton UAS Range</strong></span></a> (PUR) is thrilled to announce its new strategic partnership with <a href="https://www.strativgroup.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Strativ Group</strong></span></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.</p>
<p>&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;</p>
<p>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.</p>
<p>&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;</p>
<p>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.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About Strativ Group </strong></span></h5>
<p>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;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About Pendleton UAS Range </strong></span></h5>
<p>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.</p>

PENDLETON UAS RANGE PARTNERS WITH STRATIV GROUP

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<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>15 December 2025</em></span></p>
<p class="p2"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/news/categories/brazzel" target="_blank" rel="noopener">By Timothy Brazzel</a>&nbsp;</strong></span></p>
<p class="p4">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.</p>
<p class="p4">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;</p>
<p class="p4">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"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Hollywood Drones</strong></span></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.</p>
<p class="p4">But what they <em>did</em> have was curiosity.</p>
<p class="p4">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.</p>
<h5 class="p5"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Starting with the Basics</strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/By5TEKikTZFkducXEfTiXK8nF2WKEREZJ2UzGkEd.png" alt="" width="459" height="334" /></strong></span></p>
<p class="p4">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.</p>
<p class="p4">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 <em>why</em> the rules exist and <em>how</em> to operate drones with confidence.</p>
<p class="p4">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;</p>
<p class="p4">Exactly. And that level of respect is what keeps the skies safe.</p>
<h5 class="p5"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>The Five Maneuvers that Unlock Everything</strong></span></h5>
<p class="p4">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:</p>
<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>
<p class="p4">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.</p>
<p class="p4">Then came the challenge: a four-point square box formation, clockwise, using only the right stick.</p>
<p class="p4">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.</p>
<p class="p4">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;</p>
<h5 class="p5"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Cinematic Movement and Drone Storytelling</strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/RZjgzQZN3D8mcUtz1u43dfywtcLsbzkuTssT7idh.png" alt="" width="462" height="391" /></strong></span></p>
<p class="p4">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.</p>
<p class="p4">Instantly, the students&rsquo; flying changed. They weren&rsquo;t just pushing sticks anymore, they were <em>creating</em>. They were trying arcs, reveals, pullbacks, and angles that showed they were starting to see drones as something more than toys.</p>
<p class="p4">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.</p>
<h5 class="p5"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Tech That Lights Up a New Generation</strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/0L1dPBji3nHIhLfqfQDJiYgsAm5AIxSz4bJO6GZI.png" alt="" width="459" height="309" /></strong></span></p>
<p class="p4">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.</p>
<p class="p4">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;</p>
<p class="p4">This is the type of curiosity we need in the drone community. Not fear. Just excitement, discovery, and possibility.</p>
<h5 class="p5"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>The Drone Community Needs to Stop Gatekeeping</strong></span></h5>
<p class="p4">This experience also made me reflect on something I shared in a video I recorded during the training.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p4">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.</p>
<p class="p4">But here&rsquo;s the truth...</p>
<p class="p4">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.</p>
<p class="p4">We need programmers, software engineers, design engineers, and drone repair specialists for consumer <em>and</em> 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.</p>
<p class="p4">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;</p>
<p class="p4">Knowledge isn&rsquo;t currency. Knowledge is legacy. And legacy is something you build by giving away what you know.</p>
<h5 class="p5"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>How Are You Positioning Yourself for 2026?</strong></span></h5>
<p class="p4">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?</p>
<p class="p4">Because drones aren&rsquo;t slowing down. Technology isn&rsquo;t slowing down. Opportunities aren&rsquo;t slowing down.</p>
<p class="p4">But people will get left behind if we don&rsquo;t step up and help them.</p>
<p class="p4">Mentorship doesn&rsquo;t always come from a classroom:</p>
<p class="p4">&bull; It can be answering questions in a Facebook group.&bull; It can be showing your little cousin how to take off.</p>
<p class="p4">&bull; It can be explaining camera settings to a new pilot at the park.</p>
<p class="p4">&bull; It can be posting educational content online.</p>
<p class="p4">&bull; It can be volunteering at a local school or youth center.</p>
<p class="p4">&bull; It can be taking a beginner under your wing and helping them grow.</p>
<p class="p4">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.</p>
<h5 class="p5"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>My Mission</strong></span></h5>
<p class="p4">These last two days didn&rsquo;t just teach the students something. They taught <em>me</em> something, too.</p>
<p class="p4">They reminded me why I created <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@Inspirewithdrones3342" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Inspire With Drones</strong></span></a>&mdash;to give back, to educate, and to open doors for people who might never have walked through them without a little encouragement.</p>
<p class="p4">There&rsquo;s a quote I love that fits perfectly here: &ldquo;A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.&rdquo;</p>
<p class="p4">That&rsquo;s mentorship. That&rsquo;s community. That&rsquo;s the future of the drone world.</p>
<p class="p4">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.</p>
<h5 class="p5"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Closing Thoughts</strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><img src="https://media.thedroningcompany.com/images/tincy/BnaBnIhoENFElVBUT3wLfCHySCsL7VTTBn8elgJb.png" alt="" width="463" height="310" /></strong></span></p>
<p class="p4">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.</p>
<p class="p4">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.</p>
<p class="p4">And trust me&mdash;the next generation is ready to fly.</p>

Inspiring the Next Generation

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>12 December 2025</em></span></p>
<p>Atmospheric rivers have been bedeviling Western Washington and Northwest Oregon, causing massive rain, flood watches, and evacuation advisories.&nbsp;</p>
<p>As of today, imminent threats to public safety are still in effect, as rivers continue to reach record levels. The worries are such that Washington Governor Bob Ferguson issued an emergency declaration.</p>
<p id="anchor-a400eb" class="body-graf">"I just received a phone call from Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem," reported Ferguson. "Secretary Noem informed me that the president signed our request for an emergency declaration. We have also received written confirmation of that emergency declaration. I expressed my thanks to Secretary Noem on behalf of the people of the State of Washington during this extremely challenging time."</p>
<p class="dcr-130mj7b">In addition, the Washington National Guard was sent to endangered areas to assist with rescue operations for those trapped by the floodwaters.&nbsp;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Watch Drone Footage of the Floods</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 677px; height: 381px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gGIGhyDs4Fk?si=DvcK1SYoA7dSPK9G" width="677" height="381" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe style="width: 676px; height: 380px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ez24S9FUwaA?si=bOl-2tWJXdG5LdG0" width="676" height="380" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe style="width: 672px; height: 378px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9g-mhC0GHVw?si=946QksHVBug6FUCx" width="672" height="378" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>

Drones Capture Video of Washington State Floods

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>12 December 2025</em></span></p>
<p>There's a lot of excitement surrounding the <a href="https://www.antigravity.tech/us/?from=nav" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Antigravity</strong></span></a> A1 drone, so we thought we'd collect some video data and other news about the product in one handy guide&mdash;like right here, right now!</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.antigravity.tech/us/drone/antigravity-a1?from=nav" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Antigravity A1</strong></span></a> is manufactured in China&mdash;the company is owned by Insta36, which is based in Shenzhen&mdash;and while it may come under scrutiny by the United States government for security issues, there is currently no public mention that the A1 is being investigated. In fact, the A1 could be a viable alternative to DJI models, should the U.S. make good on its threat to ban DJI drones.</p>
<p>The Droning Company first covered the A1 on December 4, by sharing the article: "<a href="https://www.thedroningcompany.com/blog/5-reasons-the-antigravity-a1-changes-everything" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>5 Reasons the Antigravity A1 Changes Everything</strong></span></a>."</p>
<p>Since then, more content has become available, so let's dig into it ...</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Check Out Video Demos and Reviews</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 676px; height: 380px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iqHN56MwdKM?si=LRv3hajf7pTEw08n" width="676" height="380" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe style="width: 676px; height: 380px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/UnuD5nISefg?si=rZ1vLApLIaSiiKAr" width="676" height="380" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe style="width: 679px; height: 382px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/K54ZqMXCB90?si=Tg4Ad_uqr7yimevo" width="679" height="382" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe style="width: 677px; height: 381px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mwG2Zjjr760?si=gHLyr9t8Dn4dgPVa" width="677" height="381" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe style="width: 677px; height: 381px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/FiAzmYGr6yg?si=wljP5YLbVB6YUFj0" width="677" height="381" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<h1 class="BuySelectModule_title__xiERV"><iframe style="width: 677px; height: 381px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/M4D6IS14Znw?si=yZSrO59apzOavEjo" width="677" height="381" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></h1>
<p><iframe style="width: 674px; height: 379px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/oQeAjScAZgI?si=zjr0NelPzPtr1h1K" width="674" height="379" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p><iframe style="width: 674px; height: 379px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y4mSxMdcK8M?si=aSmgc8WlpuCCmJuk" width="674" height="379" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>

What You Should Know About the Antigravity A1-360 Drone

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>11 December 2025</em></span></p>
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<div class="l-shared-items effect-fadeout is-color">Bengaluru-based drone startup <span style="color: #ba372a;"><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.airbound.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong data-start="391" data-end="403">Airbound</strong></a></span>&nbsp;is set to raise approximately&nbsp;$30 million&nbsp;in a new funding round led by Greenoaks, with participation from Lightspeed and other investors &mdash; signalling strong backing for its autonomous logistics aircraft and deeptech ambitions.</div>
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<p data-start="1074" data-end="1511">Airbound a deeptech autonomous delivery drone startup based in Bengaluru&nbsp; is preparing to raise around&nbsp;$30 million in fresh funding, with the round being led by&nbsp;Greenoaks&nbsp;and backed by existing investors including&nbsp;Lightspeed Venture Partners. This marks a major vote of confidence from global venture capital in Airbound&rsquo;s blended-wing-body aircraft and autonomous logistics vision.&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="1513" data-end="2011">Founded in 2023 by&nbsp;Naman Pushp, who first began working on drones as a teenager, Airbound&rsquo;s technology features a unique&nbsp;tail-sitter aircraft design&nbsp;that takes off vertically like a rocket and transitions into efficient fixed-wing cruise flight. The aircraft is engineered with lightweight carbon fibre and in-house manufactured components, enabling improved energy efficiency and cargo payload potential compared with traditional quadcopter designs.&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="2013" data-end="2514">The fresh funds will further accelerate Airbound&rsquo;s R&amp;D, manufacturing scaling and expansion beyond its current focus on&nbsp;healthcare logistics where it has piloted autonomous deliveries of medical samples and supplies to target multiple delivery sectors by 2026. Long-term ambitions include embedding drone delivery into e-commerce and logistics ecosystems, offering customers choice between vans, bikes or drones for cost-effective, last-mile fulfilment.&nbsp;</p>
<p data-start="2516" data-end="2975">The round also coincides with a global shift in investor appetite toward&nbsp;R&amp;D-intensive startups&nbsp;in robotics, aerospace and AI-driven hardware&nbsp; bolstered by both private venture capital and government policies focused on deeptech innovation. With this backing, Airbound aims to broaden operational footprints, increase manufacturing throughput and pursue regulatory clearance to scale its autonomous delivery network.</p>
<h5 data-start="2516" data-end="2975"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>The Tech Behind Airbound</strong></span></h5>
<p data-start="2516" data-end="2975"><iframe style="width: 674px; height: 379px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/CKSq-pZF1sk?si=BASBhAonreKXn1rv" width="674" height="379" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
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Airbound Drone Delivery Raising $30 Million

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>11 December 2025</em></span></p>
<div class="featured-template-dek">China may have logged a significant lead in the combat drone battle with the December 11 launch of its jet-powered Jiutian "mothership" in Pucheng County.</div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">Jiutian is a big boy&mdash;certainly as compared to other uncrewed combat aircraft&mdash;with a wingspan of about 82 feet, a 54 foot fuselage, a takeoff weight of approximately 17.6 tons, and a payload capacity of nearly 13,228 pounds. Of course, its size makes Jiutian a near perfect delivery system for deploying drone swarms wherever they might be needed. In addition, the unmanned UAV can fly for up to 12 hours at a speed of 435 miles per hour with an operational ceiling of 49,212 feet.</div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">Last year, <span style="color: #ba372a;"><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.twz.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong><em>The War Zone</em></strong></a></span> commented on China's drone swarm developments: &ldquo;China&rsquo;s <strong><a href="https://www.twz.com/17698/chinas-is-hard-at-work-developing-swarms-of-small-drones-on-multiple-levels" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;">interest in swarming capabilities</span></a></strong>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.twz.com/42694/chinese-flying-wing-drones-launch-swarming-decoys-at-enemy-warships-in-industry-video" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the ability to launch them</a></strong></span>&nbsp;from&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.twz.com/42694/chinese-flying-wing-drones-launch-swarming-decoys-at-enemy-warships-in-industry-video" target="_blank" rel="noopener">various platforms</a></strong></span>,&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://www.twz.com/china-sees-balloon-launched-drone-swarms-in-its-future" target="_blank" rel="noopener">including high-altitude balloons</a></strong></span>, is not new. For military purposes, swarms have a number of inherent benefits, including the ability to rapidly fan out across a broad area to carry out various missions depending on how they are configured, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, and kinetic strike. Individual drones in a swarm can also be equipped with different payloads to give the entire grouping a multi-mission capability. Large numbers of uncrewed aerial systems operating closely together also present significant challenges for defenders who could easily find themselves overwhelmed or otherwise confused about how to best respond to the incoming threats.&rdquo;</div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">Apparently, there's more to Jiutian than its potential deployment as a strategic combat weapon. Both China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) and <span class="Yjhzub">Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC) have identified non-military uses for the "mothership."</span></div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="featured-template-dek">&ldquo;Its modular payload system enables roles ranging from precise deliveries of heavy cargo to remote regions, to emergency communication and disaster relief, to geographic surveying and resource mapping,&rdquo; the China Military Bugle&mdash;an official media outlet for China&rsquo;s military&mdash;posted on X, .</div>
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<div class="pw-border-incontent-after">However Jiutian ends up being deployed, its existence further showcases China's massive dominance in the global drone market&mdash;military or otherwise.&nbsp;</div>
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<h5 class="article-paragraph skip"><strong style="color: #ba372a; font-size: 18px;">Get a Sneak Peek at Jiutian</strong></h5>
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China's Jiutian Mothership Drone Takes First Flight

<p><span style="color: #34495e;"><strong>Photo Courtesy VTT</strong></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>10 December 2025</em></span></p>
<p>Drawing inspiration from human eyesight, a European research project led by <a href="https://www.vttresearch.com/en" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>VTT</strong></span></a> has developed machine vision mimicking the cooperation of the eye and nervous system, implemented as edge-computing circuits. Edge computing means processing data where it is generated and where the results of computing are needed. This enables, for instance, intelligent robots and drones that can operate independently in a rescue mission after an earthquake without constant network connections or bulky batteries.</p>
<p>Launched in 2021, the&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><a style="color: #ba372a;" href="https://edge.prnewswire.com/c/link/?t=0&amp;l=en&amp;o=4577607-1&amp;h=3832422538&amp;u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.misel-project.eu%2F&amp;a=MISEL+project" target="_blank" rel="noopener">MISEL project</a></strong></span>&nbsp;<em>(Multispectral Intelligent Vision System with Embedded Low-Power Neural Computing)</em>&nbsp;is now nearing completion. Coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, the project has combined neuromorphic computing-which mimics the way the brain processes information-with semiconductor technologies.</p>
<p>"Our goal is to build truly smart devices that can make observations and decisions on their own, without sending data to supercomputers or the cloud. Neuromorphic computing can be hundreds or even thousands of times more energy-efficient than conventional digital processing," explains&nbsp;Jacek Flak, Research Team Leader at VTT, who coordinates the project.</p>
<p>The MISEL project received nearly EUR 5 million in funding from the EU's Horizon 2020 programme. Alongside VTT, partners include the universities of Ł&oacute;dź, Lund, Santiago de Compostela, and Wuppertal, the Fraunhofer Institute, France's LNE national research institute, and the companies Kovilta Oy (Finland) and AMO GmbH (Germany). The consortium unites expertise across disciplines, including materials science, electronics, and algorithm design.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Smarter Mobile Devices Without Constant Connectivity</strong></span></h5>
<p>Artificial intelligence typically requires either good network connectivity to cloud services or substantial local computing power. However, the MISEL project brings intelligence to the edge-directly into the devices themselves. This approach allows battery-powered systems to process and interpret sensory data quickly and with low power consumption, while also reducing cybersecurity privacy risks.</p>
<p>"Imagine a drone searching for survivors after an earthquake through smoke, dust, and debris. It needs to interpret its surroundings and make decisions instantly. There may be no network connectivity, and battery life is limited," says Flak.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Human Eyesight and the Brain as the Blueprint for Machine Vision</strong></span></h5>
<p>Nature has been a source of inspiration for the project. The model for machine vision has been the collaboration between the human retina, visual cortex, and prefrontal lobe for perception and interpretation. The fruit fly also serves as an ideal model as it consumes minuscule amounts of energy to fly, navigate, avoid danger, and find food.</p>
<p>A key result of the project is a system on chip developed by Kovilta, a company specialised in advanced integrated circuit technology. The new circuit includes both imaging and a significant portion of image processing on the same silicon chip. It combines high dynamic range image sensing (over 120 dB), high frame rate (over 1000 frames per second), and massively parallel image processing, enabling versatile motion analysis and pattern recognition.</p>
<p>"Unlike a conventional video camera that actually captures static frames, this sensor detects motion and changes in time and space-just like a biological eye," Flak explains. "The result is a highly efficient, compressed data stream without sacrificing accuracy."</p>
<p>The project also explored so-called quantum dot image sensors, a cutting-edge camera technology that extends vision beyond the spectrum visible to humans into the infrared range. This allows devices to detect patterns and movement even in low-light or foggy conditions where human vision struggles.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Designing the Entire Signal Chain As One System</strong></span></h5>
<p>Within MISEL, sensors, memory units, algorithms, and electronic components have been co-designed as a unified system. Optimizing the entire signal chain is key to achieving a compact and efficient system. The project has also developed specialized processor cores, or edge-AI accelerators, that boost AI performance while keeping power consumption minimal.</p>
<p>"Designing hardware and software in close integration ensures that all components work seamlessly together while maintaining exceptional energy efficiency," says Flak.</p>
<p>Together with Lund University, VTT developed non-volatile memories based on ferroelectric materials, which can be integrated directly onto a chip. These memories have proven functional, and development continues. Kovilta plans to apply the accelerator architectures developed in MISEL to fields such as autonomous robotics and vehicle technology.</p>
<p>"A superior ability to observe the surroundings and accurately interpret observations is a must for robots and vehicles to operate independently and safely among people. For instance, future robots assisting humans need to make rapid decisions to avoid colliding with people moving around them. Simultaneously, the equipment must be small, consume little energy, and be built with moderate costs suitable for a mass product," says&nbsp;<strong>Mika Laiho</strong>, Chief Technology Officer at Kovilta.</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Applications from Industry to Security</strong></span></h5>
<p>The solutions developed in the project can be utilised in a wide range of applications. Smart cameras could autonomously monitor industrial processes, warehouses, or border areas, while mobile robots could make decisions safely even in the presence of humans. The next step is to leverage the project's results in new projects and VTT's pilot production lines.</p>
<p>"In the future, these results can be used in autonomous devices that see, think, and act as independently and energy-efficiently as a fruit fly," Flak concludes.</p>

Europe's VTT Developing machine vision inspired by human eyesight

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>10 December 2025</em></span></p>
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<p>As drones continue their takeover of the battlefield, soldiers need to be protected from them, as well as have the option of deploying "last stand" measures for taking them down. And, as the war in Ukraine has taught the world, bringing in drone defenses without spending millions on countermeasures is driving military strategists in the United States and Europe.</p>
<p>The lastest defensive play is a microcomputer that can be attached to standard service rifles and transform them into viable drone killers.</p>
<p><a href="https://iwi.us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Israel Weapons Industries</strong></span></a> has been marketing its <a href="https://iwi.net/arbel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Arbel Computerized Weapons System</strong></span></a> that optimizes shooter accuracy for a while&mdash;and it is already being deployed by several unnamed armies for improved tactical results&mdash;but the company is now reporting at least ten European countries are currently looking at the system as an anti-drone defense.&nbsp;</p>
<p>IWI's head of Europe, who goes only by his first name, Semion, for security reasons, estimates that up to 50 percent of European military forces will put the Arbel system in the field throughout 2026&mdash;a result of global interest in cost-efficient anti-drone defenses.</p>
<p>There's also a good reason for deploying a system that can effectively shot down enemy drones.</p>
<p>To date, much of drone combat has been waged by small first-person-view (FPV) drones. It used to be that FPV strikes could be nullified by jamming the attack drone to interfere with its signal connections. Unfortunately for those on the defensive, operators are pivoting to fiber-optic cabling systems that connect directly to their controllers, rather than using radio signals. As a result, more and more of these drones are getting through the usual defenses, and shooting them down with small arms fire requires steady hands, good eyes, and a ton of luck. After all, drones are incredibly difficult to hit. They can change course unexpectedly and zoom through the air like Superman on a mission.</p>
<p>This is where Arbel comes to the rescue.</p>
<p>The Arbel computerized system can be easily integrated into assault rifles and provide soldiers with incredibly accurate shots&mdash;especially when facing moving targets. Once a soldier identifies a threat and pulls the trigger, Arbel automatically releases rounds in ways that are likely to actually hit the target. IWI says Arbel can bring down drones at nearly 1,500 feet in daylight and 700 feet at night.</p>
<p>In addition, Arbel's sensors study the habits of the shooter&mdash;movement, stability, and trigger pressure. The soldier can deliver fierce and accurate firepower by simply holding down the trigger and keeping the drone in sight.</p>
<p>"Arbel itself doesn't necessarily know what it's shooting at," explain Semion. "It's up to the soldier to engage targets responsibly."</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>See the Arbel System in Action</strong></span></h5>
<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><iframe style="width: 674px; height: 379px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/LJy-w0T5t90?si=GJjciFeKaIW5hDfj" width="674" height="379" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></strong></span></p>
<p><iframe style="width: 676px; height: 380px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_WB36CpfoI0?si=4CJCLYsu_YHdZq4l" width="676" height="380" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
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IWI Arbel System Optimizes Kill Zone for Taking Down Drones

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>09 December 2025</em></span></p>
<p>Unlike old Tarzan movies and horror flicks, it is near impossible to die from being trapped and sucked under the surface by quicksand.</p>
<p>The water-saturated, murky sand is denser than the human body, so while you <em>can</em> get stuck in it, you'll likely only sink to your thighs and actually float over it.</p>
<p>But that doesn't mean it's any fun to get trapped in it, as a hiker in Utah's Arches National Park discovered when he was stuck for several freezing hours in 21-degree temperatures.</p>
<p>Happily, rescuers were able to use a drone to find the man, who was trapped in a "wash"&mdash;a mostly dry riverbed that takes on water during rains.</p>
<p id="anchor-dae930" class="body-graf">&ldquo;Where this person was, there was just no sun shining down in this canyon area,&rdquo; said rescue technician Jake Blackwelder said. &ldquo;One of the first things we said was just, &lsquo;Hey, how&rsquo;s it going?&rsquo; He was pretty tired and stuck and ready to get out.&rdquo;</p>
<p id="anchor-43297e" class="body-graf">The man, who was identified as Austin Dirks&mdash;an experienced hiker&mdash;was uninjured.</p>
<p id="anchor-1e7d5f" class="body-graf">&ldquo;He just got into some innocuous-looking wet sand that happened to be quicksand,&rdquo; explained Blackwelder. &ldquo;I think he was as surprised as we were to get the call.&rdquo;</p>
<h5><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Watch the Rescue</strong></span></h5>
<p><iframe style="width: 681px; height: 383px;" title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3JkE9uEaH_Q?si=MCsWBm9hOKdnUs6l" width="681" height="383" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>

Drone Saves Hiker Trapped in Quicksand

<p><span style="color: #ba372a;"><em>09 December 2025</em></span></p>
<div class="x_elementToProof"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><u><a id="OWA576b6c9f-b0fa-0912-c1a8-0e524cf782d7" class="x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink" style="color: #ba372a;" title="http://www.matrixspace.com/" href="http://www.matrixspace.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-linkindex="0" data-auth="NotApplicable">MatrixSpace</a></u></strong></span>, a leader in portable AI-enabled radar for counter-UAS (C-UAS), announces the availability of its revolutionary Portable 360 Radar.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">This rugged, easily transportable radar kit delivers reliable close-airspace awareness with panoramic coverage&nbsp;for rapid-response counter-drone operations, from safe-guarding stadiums and large public gatherings, to border security and battlespaces.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">Traditional radar systems are cumbersome, slow to set up and limited in effectiveness for mobile C-UAS deployments, with high-power requirements. Instead, MatrixSpace Portable 360 Radar is the industry&rsquo;s lowest power, most portable and affordable low-airspace drone detection system available.&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">Unlike other available solutions, the MatrixSpace platform unifies threat awareness across multiple networked Portable 360 Radar systems and other sensors, without compromising local operation. By combining AI edge processing with MatrixSpace AiCloud Enterprise Software, central/remote command centers get an enhanced common operating picture and deep airspace activity analytics to assure public safety.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">Major corporations and government agencies have already adopted MatrixSpace Portable 360 Radar, which has excelled in rigorous C-UAS field testing including the U.S. Army&rsquo;s recent&nbsp;<span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong><u><a id="OWAe295f102-c796-7d4f-9301-87dd7ee67c12" class="x_x_x_x_OWAAutoLink" style="color: #ba372a;" title="https://xtech.army.mil/competition/xtechcounterstrike/" href="https://xtech.army.mil/competition/xtechcounterstrike/" target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-linkindex="1" data-auth="NotApplicable">xTechCounter Strike competition</a></u></strong></span>&nbsp;where it won best active sensor.</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">&nbsp;</div>
<div class="x_elementToProof">&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve already seen the tactical advantage MatrixSpace Portable 360 Radar&nbsp;offers, in some of the most challenging situations possible,&rdquo; explains Matthew Kling, VP &amp; GM, AI Systems at MatrixSpace. &ldquo;The demand for fast, easy setup of such capable systems is clear, as a wide range of organizations grapple with the reality of critical counter drone solutions.&rdquo;</div>
<h5 class="x_elementToProof"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>Key Features and Benefits</strong></span></h5>
<ul>
<li>Low power, small footprint&mdash;a portable radar system easily transported by car that assembles in minutes.</li>
<li>Breakthrough affordability, enabling operators to catch hard-to-detect drones in challenging environments like dense cities and variable terrain.</li>
<li>Resilient AI edge-first architecture powered by sophisticated AI edge processing that continuously improves, assuring decisive operations even in congested environments.</li>
<li>Easy extensibility to MatrixSpace AiCloud &mdash; users can deploy one system or one hundred, all working together for enterprise command and control. <strong>&nbsp;</strong></li>
</ul>
<h5 class="x_elementToProof"><span style="color: #ba372a;"><strong>About MatrixSpace</strong></span></h5>
<div class="x_elementToProof">MatrixSpace delivers advanced AI-enabled portable C-UAS (counter drone) solutions that operate anywhere and can be rapidly moved. Its compact, ultra-low power radar systems provide persistent detection and classification for airspace, perimeter, and object monitoring in dynamic outdoor environments.</div>

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