Welcome to your weekly UAS news update. We have three stories this week: Parrot releases the Anafi UKR and the Chuck 3, DJI leaks and updates, and a Louisiana law allowing law enforcement to shoot down drones. Let’s dive in.
Parrot’s New Releases: Anafi UKR and Chuck 3
Parrot has unveiled the Anafi UKR, a compact UAS designed for GPS-denied environments, likely intended for specific applications given its name. It’s optimized for indoor use, weighs just over 2 pounds, and features a 35x camera zoom with a clear Boson thermal imager. While the thermal sensor size isn’t confirmed, we estimate it to be 640×512 based on Parrot’s simultaneous release. The UKR offers 38 minutes of flight time with a standard battery, extending to 50 minutes with the XLR battery. It has a 16,000-foot ceiling, a maximum speed of 38 miles per hour, an IP53 rating, and an operating temperature range of -33°F to 122°F. We saw this drone at a conference earlier this year; it felt lightweight yet solidly built.
Parrot also introduced the Chuck 3, an all-in-one autopilot system designed for integration into various airframes. Weighing just under a pound, it includes autopilot, navigation, imaging, and jam-resistant communication systems. It features a three-axis gimbal, a spoof-proof multi-band radio, a visual positioning system, and compatibility with Parrot’s night vision module. The camera system includes a 35x zoom and a Boson 640×512 thermal sensor, suggesting similarities with the UKR’s specs. It’s exciting to see Parrot innovate, and we hope they’ll return to the consumer market someday.
DJI Updates: Mini 5 Pro Leaks, FlightHub, and Stock Issues
Several DJI developments are making headlines. Leaked images of the rumored DJI Mini 5 Pro, reported by Jasper Ellens on DroneXL, show a mini drone with prop cages, resembling the Flip. Rumors suggest a potential August 7 release and Category 1 classification, though the latter seems unlikely due to DJI’s history of not including Remote ID in sub-250-gram drones in the U.S. The images also reveal LiDAR-based obstacle avoidance, consistent with DJI’s recent models.
DJI’s FlightHub can now run on private servers, a significant step for organizations with strict Data Security needs. This offline system ensures remote operations remain within the organization’s servers. It supports 2D mapping without internet access, 4G transmission for remote deployment, and compatibility with the Mavic 3 Enterprise, Matrice 4, Matrice 30, 300, 350, and all DJI docks.
Unfortunately, DJI and its resellers, including DJI’s official website, B&H, Adorama, and Amazon, are reporting widespread stock shortages for consumer drones. The impact on DJI Care or warranty claims is unclear, but we’ll keep you updated.
Louisiana’s Drone Law
Louisiana has authorized state and local law enforcement to intercept and disable drones posing credible threats to public safety, using kinetic and non-kinetic methods near schools, public events, and critical infrastructure. However, this law may conflict with federal regulations, specifically 18 USC 32, which prohibits destroying civil aircraft, and FCC restrictions on radio frequency jamming. Its longevity is uncertain, but we’ll monitor developments.
Postflight and Community Updates
This week on Postflight, we’ll cover these stories in depth, plus a case involving a Baltimore man who pleaded guilty to violating National Defense Airspace. Postflight is our weekly show offering detailed, opinionated takes, available in our premium community. Visit pilotinstitute.com/community for more details.
Join us for a live Q&A on Monday at 7:00 p.m. Eastern (4:00 p.m. Pacific). That’s all for this week. See you then!
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