DoD's counter-drone strategy, New Jersey mystery drones, NDAA 2025, and more!
BLOS Update Week 50: 09 Dec – 15 Dec
Welcome to another week, another edition of BLOS.
We’re almost at the end of the year — I hope you’re looking forward to the holidays!
Note — this is the last edition of this year. I’m working on improvements to BLOS and will be asking for your opinions in an email over the new few days. Do look out for this and respond — I’ll consider this my Xmas gift for which I’ll be really grateful to you!
For today I have 70 stories and 3 recommended reading pieces for you. Read on.
Defence & Security
Ukraine – Russia
Russia has escalated its drone warfare against Ukraine with advanced decoy systems and swarm tactics.
Ukraine has developed a jamming-resistant fibre-optic combat drone for precise strikes, set for deployment in 2025. Additionally, Ukraine has begun serial production of the Peklo drone missile.
Middle East
The Pentagon dismissed rumours of an Iranian "drone mothership" in the Gulf of Oman, labelling them misinformation.
Reports suggest Ukraine has supplied drones to Syrian rebels, possibly enhancing their combat abilities amid potential changes in Syria's leadership.
Meanwhile, a U.S. MQ-9 drone was mistakenly downed by Kurdish forces in Syria, prompting efforts to prevent future errors while maintaining cooperation to combat ISIS.
China
China's new Lanying R6000 drone, marketed for civilian use, has raised concerns over potential military applications, particularly in Taiwan.
China also revealed a replica of the Iranian Shahed-136 drone, likely boosting its military reconnaissance and strike capabilities.
Restrictions on Chinese drone exports are disrupting Western supply chains, adding challenges to Ukraine's defence and global military operations reliant on imported components. These measures follow rising global security tensions and U.S. sanctions targeting Chinese technology, including drone manufacturers like DJI.
Trials and Exercises
Kratos' XQ-58A drone demonstrated its ability to integrate electronic warfare (EW) and strike capabilities in a U.S. Marine Corps exercise.
The French Navy successfully deployed a jamming solution to counter UAV threats, marking a milestone in real-time defence.
Dassault Aviation's nEUROn stealth drone is advancing France's Future Combat Air System, emphasizing autonomous flight and data-sharing for collaborative missions.
Airbus U.S. and Aerostar tested satellite-enabled stratospheric platforms for robust ISR capabilities, advancing military and disaster response tech.
WAVENET RF and UAV Navigation achieved GPS-free drone navigation in hostile environments, addressing critical operational challenges.
The British Army tested a laser weapon mounted on an armoured vehicle, offering a precise, low-cost solution for aerial threats.
Contracts and Partnerships
TEKEVER secured a €5M contract with Spain to provide UAS for its National Police, enhancing surveillance operations.
Poland acquired MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones to modernize its military and strengthen NATO commitments.
CENTCOM selected PowerLight Technologies to demonstrate wireless power beaming for UASs, enabling in-flight recharging by 2025.
The UK MOD has invited cross-sector collaboration for innovative Air-Launched Effects systems, focusing on scalable capabilities for defence operations, and DASA (Defence and Security Accelerator), UK’s accelerator for defence innovation development launched a new initiative to revolutionize defence with advanced uncrewed systems for air, land, and sea operations, boosting tactical capabilities.
C-UAS
The U.S. DoD outlined a unified counter-drone strategy focusing on advanced detection and neutralization technologies.
SkyDefense launched the CobraJet interceptor system, pairing an EV with a VTOL-equipped drone to autonomously neutralize threats.
D-Fend Technologies secured a public airshow using counter-drone systems, ensuring safety against unauthorized UAVs.
Bluelight (Emergency Services)
A Texas lawmaker has proposed House Bill 462 to deploy drones equipped with non-lethal deterrents, such as pepper spray, to enhance school security, addressing safety and personnel shortages in public schools.
The U.S. Congress is considering advanced measures to counter unauthorized drone incursions at NFL stadiums.
In New Jersey, mysterious drone activity near sensitive locations has sparked federal investigations, though officials, including the FBI, have found no evidence of security threats. Reports of "car-sized" drones flying in formation and night-time sightings near locations like Trump's golf course are being examined, with experts suggesting many cases involve misidentified aircraft.
Recent drone sightings in Southern California (YT video) and Maryland have similarly raised alarm, with unexplained patterns and glowing lights reported near sensitive areas, though military and law enforcement deny involvement.
Commercial
Development and Trials
Elsight’s Halo system supports the Australian CAA’s expanded Automated Airspace Authorisations Trial, which simplifies drone flight approvals near airports and reduces costs, boosting Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.
Fraunhofer IFAM and Droniq GmbH achieved the first regulated 112-mile maritime BVLOS drone flight, showcasing its potential for offshore inspections and emergency response.
Schiebel’s CAMCOPTER® S-100 demonstrated advanced radar capabilities in Canada, excelling in surveillance and intelligence roles under harsh conditions.
Contracts and Partnerships
Rheinmetall and Auterion are developing scalable drone systems for military and industrial use, integrating open-source software and advanced hardware.
Thales is deploying Norway’s new Unmanned Traffic Management system, enabling safe drone operations near airports while aligning with European airspace regulations.
Teledyne FLIR and Gremsy launched the AI-powered Vio F1 thermal payload, enhancing precision and automation for applications like search and rescue.
North Carolina is investing $2 million in a center for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to integrate new aviation technologies and improve emergency response.
Blueflite and SpleenLab partner to advance autonomous logistics drones, while Ondas and the Autonomy Institute are enhancing Texas’ infrastructure with Optimus drones.
Boeing’s Insitu opened a UAS Center of Excellence in Abu Dhabi, supporting local defense and industrial innovation.
Product Launches
New Service
Downtown Skyport will manage the Downtown Manhattan Heliport starting in 2025, transforming it into a sustainable urban mobility hub. Integrating eVTOL aircraft and last-mile freight solutions, the initiative aims to reduce noise, congestion, and pollution, positioning New York as a leader in eco-friendly urban transport.
Aloft launched its new Air Boss platform, which offers real-time situational awareness and UTM capabilities, streamlining airspace coordination for government and emergency agencies.
UAS Denmark has launched a fast-track service for BVLOS drone testing at HCA Airport, supporting industry growth by accelerating development and regulatory approvals.
New Tech
Australian researchers have developed a star-based drone navigation system, enabling high-precision operation in GPS-denied areas like dense forests and underground environments.
New UAS
DJI’s new Flip drone has been rumoured to be priced at €439 in the European market and $439 in the U.S.
AAM (Advanced Air Mobility)
Australia's Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has revised its AAM roadmap, emphasizing steps to integrate drones and air taxis into national airspace, focusing on developing industry standards, simplifying regulations for emergency services, and aligning with international certification practices.
Regal Rexnord and Honeywell have joined forces to enhance AAM and eVTOL aircraft technologies. Their partnership will focus on electro-mechanical systems, software integration, and operational components.
Helicopter Inc. has committed to Eve Air Mobility’s eVTOL aircraft, including operational software like Vector Urban Air Traffic Management.
Lilium is advancing the development of its Lilium Jet, preparing for its first manned flight following testing key components such as landing gear and enhancing flight operations.
Crisalion Mobility has partnered with IFS Cloud to streamline regulatory compliance and accelerate manufacturing in its AAM projects.
North Carolina's NCDOT has launched a $2 million research project involving multiple universities, led by N.C. A&T, to explore how VTOL aircraft can coordinate with ground transport.
Drones for Good
ABZ Agriculture has introduced drones equipped with military-grade laser sensing technology for precision farming. These drones deliver detailed data on crop health, moisture levels, and other critical factors, enabling improved yield prediction and resource optimization.
In Argentina, the integration of drones, sensors, and AI into precision agriculture has transformed crop management. Supported by government incentives and private sector collaboration, farmers have improved resource use and yields.
Legal
New Jersey (NJ) drone sightings have been the highlight of the last week. NJ Senator Douglas J. Steinhardt has requested an emergency hearing in response to increased drone activity over the state, including reports of large drones in coordinated formations near sensitive locations. Senator Menendez expressed concerns about safety risks and national security, and proposed a ban on drones manufactured by Chinese companies.
Meanwhile, State Senator Jon Bramnick called for a temporary state of emergency to address similar concerns, including a potential temporary drone ban near critical areas such as military research sites and Trump’s Bedminster golf course.
Unidentified drones spotted over Ramstein Air Base in Germany highlight security vulnerabilities, prompting calls for enhanced counter-drone systems.
Legal restrictions in the U.S. hinder the deployment of advanced counter-drone systems, such as signal jammers. While experts argue for updated legislation to address evolving threats, progress remains slow as lawmakers balance privacy rights with security needs.
A Chinese national was arrested for allegedly hacking his drone to allow it to fly higher than usual and taking pictures of a U.S. Space Force base, and a Florida man was fined $5,000 for shooting a Walmart delivery drone.
Policy and Regulatory Updates
The FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) includes provisions to evaluate Chinese-made drones like those from DJI and Autel Robotics for national security risks. If deemed threats, these drones could be added to the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) "Covered List," effectively banning their use in U.S. communication networks. However, the Countering CCP Drones Act, which aimed to completely ban Chinese-made drones, was not included in the Senate's NDAA version. Drone advocates caution against broad bans, citing potential industry impacts, while lawmakers emphasize security concerns.
In response, DJI has called for assessments based on technical criteria rather than assumptions of governmental links. The United States National Drone Association (USNDA) supports these provisions but urges more focus on fostering domestic manufacturing to enhance U.S. drone competitiveness.
U.S. lawmakers are considering the Counter-UAS Authority, Security, Safety and Reauthorization Act of 2024. This aims to bolster counter-drone capabilities, particularly against foreign-made UAVs. These measures would extend federal powers to detect and neutralize unauthorized drones and enable local agencies to protect critical infrastructure. Organizations such as the NFL and the FBI have advocated for expanding drone mitigation efforts, especially over areas like stadiums and power plants.
The Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) announced Green UAS certification for four platforms – Ascent AeroSystems’ Spirit, AgEagle’s Ebee Tac, and Inspired Flight’s IF1200A and IF800 Tomcat. The Green Certification is designed to ensure cybersecurity and compliance for commercial and government use.
In the UK, changes in the CAP 3040 Second Edition regarding ADS-B standards have sparked concerns over costs and operational clarity, particularly for drone operators adapting to evolving regulations.
In other news…
South Caldwell High School’s NJROTC program is using a $1,500 Blue Ridge Energy grant to teach drone flight, ethics, and real-world applications.
New online ground school courses from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University offer flexible training for drone certifications, helping meet the growing demand for skilled UAS operators.
China’s restrictions on drone part exports could disrupt global supply chains, affecting civilian and military industries in the U.S., Ukraine, and Europe.
NASA’s research has advanced BVLOS drone integration, supporting FAA approvals for drone deliveries and inspections, modernizing U.S. airspace management.
Further Recommended Reading
A2Z Drone Delivery Offers Whitepaper on Immediately Actionable Drone Delivery in the US (PDF)
Congressional Hearing, Part 2: Counter Drone Experts Urge Decentralized Innovation, Collaboration
Have a great week ahead,
Adit
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
This newsletter is authored by Adit Shah, a UK-based independent consultant specialising in helping companies and investors understand, develop and adopt aerospace, drones, and space technologies. If you are interested in Adit’s expertise for your business, please email adit.shah@elantar.com.