Falcon Flies, Epirus Zaps, and DJI's Demise? Drone Drama Unfolds!

This is you Drone Technology Daily: UAV News & Reviews podcast.

Good evening, and welcome to Drone Technology Daily, your expert-guided tour through the most important developments in the UAV world. For listeners who may be just tuning in, today we are focusing on the drone industry’s news, regulatory updates, product breakthroughs, and practical insights—so let’s get started with the latest from the past 24 hours.

Earlier today, Army Recognition reported that Canada’s UVAD Technologies is bringing its Supersonic Falcon drone to compete with the U.S. XQ-58 Valkyrie in Germany, marking a notable entry into the expanding field of next-generation combat UAVs. The Falcon boasts modularity for missions like hypersonic missile defense, ISR—that’s Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance—interception, and support for manned aircraft. Its containerized packaging and runway-independent launch system are designed for rapid deployment, appealing to European militaries seeking to complement their fighter fleets with expendable, high-speed drones. However, technical performance remains unproven in flight, and the Royal Canadian Air Force has not committed to procurement; this is still a research phase, not a done deal.

On the counter-drone front, Defense One highlights a new U.S. Army contract awarded to Epirus for high-powered microwave systems capable of disabling drone swarms. According to Epirus CEO Andy Lowery, these systems create a “wall of energy” that can drop anything with a computer chip—drones, yes, but also vehicles and even boats—by overwhelming their electronics. This technology, now moving from prototype to deployment after Indo-Pacific tests, reflects the growing urgency to counter drone threats in both military and domestic contexts.

Turning to product innovation, the GH-4 drone from Unmanned Aerospace made waves at AUVSI Xponential 2025 in Houston. This vertical take-off and landing UAV features a radical new design that drew crowds of defense leaders and international buyers. While technical specs remain under wraps, its debut signals a push toward more versatile, next-generation platforms for both commercial and defense applications.

On the regulatory front, drone operators in the United States must now navigate an increasingly complex landscape. The FAA’s 2025 guidelines require drones over 0.55 pounds to be registered, display visible registration numbers, and broadcast Remote ID data—unless flying in an FAA-recognized Identification Area. Night flights require anti-collision lighting, and pilots must always maintain visual line of sight. Recurrent training is now mandatory for commercial operators, covering emergency procedures, maintenance, and airspace awareness. States are also stepping in: Ohio’s new law bans reckless flights and drone use over critical facilities, while Florida is poised to prohibit drone operations on agricultural land without owner consent—both with significant penalties for violations. Listeners should check their local regulations before flying, as the patchwork of state and federal rules continues to grow.

The commercial drone market is maturing rapidly, with enterprise applications spanning logistics, agriculture, public safety, and infrastructure inspection. Consumer drones, meanwhile, face uncertainty: DJI, the industry leader, could be banned in the U.S. by year’s end unless a formal security audit is completed, per the 2025 NDAA. This potential shakeup underscores the importance of data security and supply chain diversification for both hobbyists and businesses.

For safe and successful flights, always plan your mission with airspace restrictions in mind, use apps like B4UFLY for real-time no-fly zone updates, and keep up with recurrent training. Remember, a visual observer is required for FPV operations, and maintaining situational awareness is key to avoiding incidents.

Looking ahead,...