DJI Mavic 4 Release Date & Pricing, Battery For Extreme Cold, Missing Person Found, & FAA Nominee

Welcome to your weekly UAS news update. We have four stories for you this week. First, the DJI Mavic 4 Pro launch date, specs, and pricing have been leaked. Second, a research team developed a battery that lets drones fly in extreme temperatures—and when we say extreme, we mean extreme. Third, a missing woman in Wisconsin was found quickly thanks to a drone. Finally, President Trump nominates a new FAA administrator. Let’s get to it.

DJI Mavic 4 Pro Leak

First up this week, we have exciting leaked information about the DJI Mavic 4 Pro. According to Jasper Ellens, the drone is set to launch on Thursday, April 24, 2025, which is just around the corner. Expect an official teaser from DJI around April 17. This aligns with previous leaks, giving us confidence in the date. Now, let’s dive into the key features. The Mavic 4 Pro will boast three cameras with focal lengths of 28 mm, 70 mm, and 168 mm—equivalent to 2.5x and 6x zoom, slightly different from the current 3x and 7x setup.

It will reportedly record in 6K with a larger sensor than the DJI Mavic 3, though the sensor size isn’t specified yet. This promises even better image quality than we’ve seen so far. The gimbal is getting a major redesign with 360-degree multi-directional movement, plus an unexpected feature: an electronic ND filter system. No more carrying or forgetting ND Filters—a mistake we’ve made plenty of times ourselves. If true, that’s impressive. DJI claims a flight time of 52 minutes, which we’ll test when it’s released.

Charging three batteries in just 90 minutes aligns with the leaked 240W charger. A new controller, the DJI RC Pro 2, is also coming, featuring a 7-inch tilting touchscreen. Price-wise, leaks suggest $2,250 for the base model with the RC Pro 2. The Fly More Combo with the RC Pro 2 is around $3,200. The top-tier 512 GB Creator Combo, likely with an onboard SSD, includes the RC Pro 2 and costs $4,400. These prices are subject to change, and there’s concern about potential customs increases due to tensions with Chinese drone manufacturers.

Breakthrough Battery Tech

Next, a research team from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics has made a breakthrough in battery technology. They successfully flew an e-copter in temperatures as low as -32°F (-36°C). This is a big deal because standard lithium-ion batteries struggle in extreme cold, often losing 30 to 50% of their capacity. This new battery retains over 90% of its capacity at -40°F, with endurance loss under 10%. This opens up possibilities for drone use in border surveillance, polar exploration, and emergency response in frigid regions. Beyond drones, this tech could benefit electric vehicles and remote power stations.

Drone Rescues Missing Woman

Next, a real-world “drone for good” story from Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. A 59-year-old woman was quickly located by a drone after ground searches failed. She’d been outdoors for about three hours and couldn’t stand. Rescuers reached her within one minute of detection, just before a storm hit. The Wisconsin Rapids Police Department, Grand Rapids Fire Department, and Wings of Hope Search and Rescue collaborated on this success. Interestingly, the police didn’t own the drone; Wings of Hope, a nonprofit, provided it. This highlights financial challenges small departments face in acquiring life-saving tech like drones, especially as regulations make affordable options harder to obtain.

New FAA Administrator Nominated

Finally, the White House nominated Brian Bedford, CEO of Republic Airways, to head the FAA. This follows aviation incidents, including a midair collision at Washington National Airport that killed 67 people. Bedford, a pilot with over 30 years of experience, faces big challenges if confirmed: deciding on Boeing 737 MAX production approvals, addressing a shortage of about 3,500 air traffic controllers, and overhauling the nation’s aging air traffic control system, which needs tens of billions from Congress. This nomination is critical for aviation, including the Drone Industry, and Bedford’s actions will be closely watched.

Closing Notes

That’s it for this week. This is our last recording from the current studio—we’re tearing it down right after this. We’ve cherished the last three years here but look forward to the new facility, where we’ve been settling in for nearly two weeks. Due to the move, there’s no happy hour or live session this Monday. We’ll see you next week with a news update from our new setup. Until then!