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INSIGHTS FROM THE FIELD.
The Red Raven UAS Blog is your go-to source for expert insights, industry news, and real-world applications of drone technology. From training tips and mission planning to FAA updates and gear breakdowns, we cover what drone pilots, trainers, and agencies need to know. Whether you’re studying for your Part 107, building out a UAS program, or just staying sharp—this is where information meets impact.
UAS Weekly Briefing — June 5, 2026: FAA Cargo Drone Reviews, Motorola’s $1.5B Counter-Drone Bet, and the World Cup TFR Trap
Blueflite clears an important FAA review step, Motorola drops $1.5B on counter-drone tech, Walmart crosses a million drone deliveries, Amazon pushes Prime Air into New York, and World Cup TFRs could catch new pilots off guard.
UAS Weekly Briefing — May 29, 2026: The U.S. Drone Industrial Base Surge, the DJI Ban Narrative Cracks, and Matternet Goes Public
Federal money is starting to move toward the U.S. drone industry, DJI's ban debate hits real-world friction, the FCC opens three conditional approval lanes, Matternet goes public, and a Louisiana DA quietly builds one of the smartest small-agency public safety funding models we've seen. Five stories from this week in drones.
UAS Weekly Briefing — May 22, 2026: Ontario's Drone Ban, a $500M Counter-UAS Deal, and Dallas Drone First Responders
Ontario becomes the latest government to ban Chinese-made drones, the Pentagon puts up to $500 million behind drones that hunt drones, and Dallas launches a program where a drone beats the patrol car to your 911 call. Six stories from this week in drones.
UAS Weekly Briefing — May 15, 2026: FAA Calls Operators “Pilots” at XPONENTIAL, World Cup No Drone Zone Campaign Is Official, and the DJI Ban Enters Its Legal Phase
The FAA made a landmark statement at XPONENTIAL 2026, World Cup TFRs are coming for U.S. venues and fan festivals, and the DJI ban has entered its legal battle phase. Nine stories from this week in drones.
5 Signs Your Agency Needs A Drone Program
Most agencies that don't have a drone program aren't opposed to drones — they just don't know where to start. Here are five clear signs your agency is ready, and what building a real program actually looks like.
UAS Weekly Briefing — May 1, 2026: Possible Drone Strike Over San Diego, Skydio’s $3.5B Bet on American Manufacturing, and More
A United Airlines flight reported a possible drone encounter at 4,000 feet. Skydio committed $3.5 billion to U.S. manufacturing. Beijing banned consumer drone sales. DHS released new counter-drone guidance for major events. Plus stolen spray drones, East River cargo delivery, and Ukraine’s most intense month of drone warfare yet.
UAS Weekly Briefing — April 17, 2026: Foreign Drones Out. Military Drones In.
DJI dropped four products this month — but only three can reach American buyers. Plus Hyfix raises $15M for domestic chips, AeroVironment's MAYHEM 10, a $270M Air Force solar contract, $29B in counter-drone spending, and Part 107 pass rates hit an all-time low. Every layer of the drone ecosystem moved this week.
Nobody Is Replacing DJI — And the Clock Is Running — UAS Weekly Briefing | April 10, 2026
The drone industry hit a turning point this week. No domestic manufacturer is ready to replace DJI. DJI just retired its most iconic platforms. Amazon's delivery program is facing real community friction. The Air Force deployed autonomous drone perimeter security overseas three weeks after Barksdale. And an Oregon DFR program made a hit-and-run arrest a police chase couldn't close.
Weekly Drone Briefing: FCC Drone Dominance, Nuclear Base Swarms & the Future of Autonomous Aviation
The U.S. government declares drone dominance a national priority. Sophisticated swarms penetrate a nuclear base. Traditional aerospace goes autonomous. Here's what operators need to know.
UAS Weekly Briefing — March 27, 2026: DJI's 360° FPV Drone, BRINC's Starlink-Powered First Responder, and Skydio's $52M Army Order
DJI launches the first 8K 360° FPV drone — then sues Insta360 over six patents. BRINC unveils a Starlink-connected 911 response drone. The U.S. Army places a record $52M Skydio order. Plus FAA BVLOS breakthroughs and Bay Area drone delivery expansion.
DRONE BAN Update: What It Really Means for Drone Programs (and What You Should Do Next)
The FCC didn’t ground your drones—but it did change what can be approved and sold next. Here’s what that means for agencies, enterprise teams, and new buyers.