DJI Mavic 4 Pro Leak Reveals Launch Date, Price, and Key Features
A new leak suggests that DJI's highly anticipated Mavic 4 Pro drone will launch on April 24, 2025, with an official teaser video expected a week earlier on April 17.
According to trusted sources cited by DroneXL’s Jasper Ellens, the Mavic 4 Pro will feature a redesigned triple-camera setup with improved sensors offering 6K video, equivalent focal lengths of 28mm, 70mm, and 168mm, and a revamped gimbal with increased movement. It’s also rumored to include built-in digital ND filters, a 52-minute battery life, and a new RC Pro 2 controller featuring a 7-inch tiltable touchscreen.
The Mavic 4 Pro will reportedly be available in three bundles: the standard package with an RC 2 controller at $2,250, a Fly More Combo with extra batteries and accessories at $3,200, and a Creator Combo with 512GB storage and the premium RC Pro 2 controller at $4,400. Notably absent from the leak is the previously speculated LiDAR module.
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DJI Mini 4 Pro Gains Third-Party App Support with MSDK Update
DJI has released a significant update to its Mobile SDK (MSDK) V5, bringing powerful third-party app support to the DJI Mini 4 Pro. This update enables users to access advanced features like flight automation, custom waypoints, and precision mapping through apps such as Litchi, DroneDeploy, and Drone Harmony. The Mini 4 Pro, already popular for its compact size, 4K/60fps HDR video, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing, is now even more capable for both hobbyists and professionals thanks to this expanded functionality.
However, users must use the DJI RC-N2 controller to access MSDK features, as the more advanced DJI RC 2 controller currently lacks MSDK support. Beyond the Mini 4 Pro, DJI has also added MSDK compatibility to the Matrice 4D and Matrice 4TD drones, targeting professional cinematography and industrial applications, respectively. Third-party developers are actively working on adding support for these platforms, making DJI's ecosystem even more versatile across different use cases.
Source
Global Commercial Drone Market Set to Reach $17.7B by 2032
The global commercial drone market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 12.3% from 2024 to 2032, reaching an estimated $17.7 billion by the end of the forecast period, according to a report by Stratview Research. The market is categorized by end-use, application, product type, and region, with agriculture emerging as the leading sector due to the benefits drones bring to precision farming and crop monitoring.
Delivery and logistics is the fastest-growing segment, fueled by the surge in global e-commerce. Rotary blade drones dominate due to their versatility, while hybrid drones are rapidly gaining traction for their combined capabilities.
Asia-Pacific is expected to remain the largest market through 2032, driven by China's dominance in drone manufacturing and the region’s vast agricultural needs. Key market drivers include increased venture capital investments, technological advancements like AI, LiDAR, and 5G, and the rising demand for faster logistics and sustainable farming. Major players such as DJI Technology, Yuneec International, and Parrot Drone SAS hold significant market share, benefiting from scale and innovation in this fast-evolving industry.
Source
FAA Signals Renewed Push for BVLOS Drone Rules
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has signaled renewed momentum for long-awaited FAA regulations enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations. During a recent visit to Amazon’s Prime Air facility, Duffy emphasized the need for clear rules to foster innovation and prevent the U.S. from falling behind globally. His comments align with pressure from industry groups urging the FAA to replace its slow, waiver-based system with a streamlined approval process. Though the FAA has missed several legislative deadlines, the draft rule is currently under review, and Duffy’s remarks suggest a rulemaking proposal may be released soon.
Despite this optimism, the path to BVLOS regulations has been long and uncertain, with over a decade of delays and missed targets. The industry remains skeptical of the FAA’s ability to finalize a rule by the mandated January 2026 deadline, given ongoing staffing shortages and potential political transitions.
A finalized BVLOS rule is seen as essential for scaling drone delivery, emergency response, and infrastructure inspection services—applications currently limited by outdated visual line-of-sight restrictions. Without action, stakeholders warn that innovation and investment may shift overseas, making BVLOS a critical milestone for the future of U.S. drone leadership.
Source
FBI Seeks Chinese National in Iran Drone Smuggling Plot
The FBI has issued a wanted poster for Chinese national Baoxia "Emily" Liu, who is accused of leading a years-long scheme to smuggle U.S.-origin drone technology and electronic components to Iran through front companies in China and Hong Kong.
Liu and three other Chinese nationals were charged in January 2024 by the Justice Department for exporting controlled items to Iranian entities connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), both of which are involved in the development of drones, ballistic missiles, and other weapons. The State Department is offering up to $15 million for information that could disrupt the financial networks supporting the IRGC and its designated terrorist branches, including the IRGC-Qods Force.
The State Department explained that Liu and her co-defendants misrepresented the end users of sensitive U.S. components, deceiving American companies into shipping the goods under false pretenses. These components were ultimately sent to IRGC-linked companies like Shiraz Electronics Industries and Rayan Roshd Afzar, circumventing U.S. export control laws and sanctions. The reward announcement coincides with heightened tensions in the Middle East, including U.S. military action against Iran-backed groups like the Houthis in Yemen and renewed hostilities between Israel and Iran-supported Hamas and Hezbollah.
Source
3D-Printed Hellhound S3 Drone Unleashed as High-Speed Infantry Weapon
Cummings Aerospace’s Hellhound S3, a 3D-printed, turbojet-powered kamikaze drone, recently completed its first successful flight during the U.S. Army’s AEWE 2025 at Fort Moore, Georgia. Designed to provide Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) with high-speed, long-range strike capabilities, the Hellhound S3 reached speeds over 375 mph and met all mission objectives during a GPS-guided flight with an inert warhead. Its performance validated the drone’s operational readiness and achieved Technology Readiness Level 7, marking the end of a two-year development cycle.
Engineered for rapid deployment and flexibility, the Hellhound S3 features a modular payload bay that supports quick, tool-free swaps between warhead, ISR, and electronic warfare modules. Lightweight and cost-effective thanks to its 3D-printed design and commercial DoD-approved parts, the system is tailored for fast, decisive strikes, especially in time-sensitive scenarios where traditional drones fall short. With plans to enter the Army’s LASSO program and expand its utility across allied forces, the Hellhound S3 is positioned as a next-generation asset for modern warfare.
Source
Discover More with Flight Reader
Unleash the full potential of your DJI drone flight logs. Flight Reader gives you access to more detailed data than any other app—all while keeping your logs secure and offline.
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A new leak suggests that DJI's highly anticipated Mavic 4 Pro drone will launch on April 24, 2025, with an official teaser video expected a week earlier on April 17.
According to trusted sources cited by DroneXL’s Jasper Ellens, the Mavic 4 Pro will feature a redesigned triple-camera setup with improved sensors offering 6K video, equivalent focal lengths of 28mm, 70mm, and 168mm, and a revamped gimbal with increased movement. It’s also rumored to include built-in digital ND filters, a 52-minute battery life, and a new RC Pro 2 controller featuring a 7-inch tiltable touchscreen.
The Mavic 4 Pro will reportedly be available in three bundles: the standard package with an RC 2 controller at $2,250, a Fly More Combo with extra batteries and accessories at $3,200, and a Creator Combo with 512GB storage and the premium RC Pro 2 controller at $4,400. Notably absent from the leak is the previously speculated LiDAR module.
Source
DJI Mini 4 Pro Gains Third-Party App Support with MSDK Update
DJI has released a significant update to its Mobile SDK (MSDK) V5, bringing powerful third-party app support to the DJI Mini 4 Pro. This update enables users to access advanced features like flight automation, custom waypoints, and precision mapping through apps such as Litchi, DroneDeploy, and Drone Harmony. The Mini 4 Pro, already popular for its compact size, 4K/60fps HDR video, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing, is now even more capable for both hobbyists and professionals thanks to this expanded functionality.
However, users must use the DJI RC-N2 controller to access MSDK features, as the more advanced DJI RC 2 controller currently lacks MSDK support. Beyond the Mini 4 Pro, DJI has also added MSDK compatibility to the Matrice 4D and Matrice 4TD drones, targeting professional cinematography and industrial applications, respectively. Third-party developers are actively working on adding support for these platforms, making DJI's ecosystem even more versatile across different use cases.
Source
Global Commercial Drone Market Set to Reach $17.7B by 2032
The global commercial drone market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 12.3% from 2024 to 2032, reaching an estimated $17.7 billion by the end of the forecast period, according to a report by Stratview Research. The market is categorized by end-use, application, product type, and region, with agriculture emerging as the leading sector due to the benefits drones bring to precision farming and crop monitoring.
Delivery and logistics is the fastest-growing segment, fueled by the surge in global e-commerce. Rotary blade drones dominate due to their versatility, while hybrid drones are rapidly gaining traction for their combined capabilities.
Asia-Pacific is expected to remain the largest market through 2032, driven by China's dominance in drone manufacturing and the region’s vast agricultural needs. Key market drivers include increased venture capital investments, technological advancements like AI, LiDAR, and 5G, and the rising demand for faster logistics and sustainable farming. Major players such as DJI Technology, Yuneec International, and Parrot Drone SAS hold significant market share, benefiting from scale and innovation in this fast-evolving industry.
Source
FAA Signals Renewed Push for BVLOS Drone Rules
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has signaled renewed momentum for long-awaited FAA regulations enabling Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations. During a recent visit to Amazon’s Prime Air facility, Duffy emphasized the need for clear rules to foster innovation and prevent the U.S. from falling behind globally. His comments align with pressure from industry groups urging the FAA to replace its slow, waiver-based system with a streamlined approval process. Though the FAA has missed several legislative deadlines, the draft rule is currently under review, and Duffy’s remarks suggest a rulemaking proposal may be released soon.
Despite this optimism, the path to BVLOS regulations has been long and uncertain, with over a decade of delays and missed targets. The industry remains skeptical of the FAA’s ability to finalize a rule by the mandated January 2026 deadline, given ongoing staffing shortages and potential political transitions.
A finalized BVLOS rule is seen as essential for scaling drone delivery, emergency response, and infrastructure inspection services—applications currently limited by outdated visual line-of-sight restrictions. Without action, stakeholders warn that innovation and investment may shift overseas, making BVLOS a critical milestone for the future of U.S. drone leadership.
Source
FBI Seeks Chinese National in Iran Drone Smuggling Plot
The FBI has issued a wanted poster for Chinese national Baoxia "Emily" Liu, who is accused of leading a years-long scheme to smuggle U.S.-origin drone technology and electronic components to Iran through front companies in China and Hong Kong.
Liu and three other Chinese nationals were charged in January 2024 by the Justice Department for exporting controlled items to Iranian entities connected to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and the Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics (MODAFL), both of which are involved in the development of drones, ballistic missiles, and other weapons. The State Department is offering up to $15 million for information that could disrupt the financial networks supporting the IRGC and its designated terrorist branches, including the IRGC-Qods Force.
The State Department explained that Liu and her co-defendants misrepresented the end users of sensitive U.S. components, deceiving American companies into shipping the goods under false pretenses. These components were ultimately sent to IRGC-linked companies like Shiraz Electronics Industries and Rayan Roshd Afzar, circumventing U.S. export control laws and sanctions. The reward announcement coincides with heightened tensions in the Middle East, including U.S. military action against Iran-backed groups like the Houthis in Yemen and renewed hostilities between Israel and Iran-supported Hamas and Hezbollah.
Source
3D-Printed Hellhound S3 Drone Unleashed as High-Speed Infantry Weapon
Cummings Aerospace’s Hellhound S3, a 3D-printed, turbojet-powered kamikaze drone, recently completed its first successful flight during the U.S. Army’s AEWE 2025 at Fort Moore, Georgia. Designed to provide Infantry Brigade Combat Teams (IBCTs) with high-speed, long-range strike capabilities, the Hellhound S3 reached speeds over 375 mph and met all mission objectives during a GPS-guided flight with an inert warhead. Its performance validated the drone’s operational readiness and achieved Technology Readiness Level 7, marking the end of a two-year development cycle.
Engineered for rapid deployment and flexibility, the Hellhound S3 features a modular payload bay that supports quick, tool-free swaps between warhead, ISR, and electronic warfare modules. Lightweight and cost-effective thanks to its 3D-printed design and commercial DoD-approved parts, the system is tailored for fast, decisive strikes, especially in time-sensitive scenarios where traditional drones fall short. With plans to enter the Army’s LASSO program and expand its utility across allied forces, the Hellhound S3 is positioned as a next-generation asset for modern warfare.
Source
Discover More with Flight Reader
Unleash the full potential of your DJI drone flight logs. Flight Reader gives you access to more detailed data than any other app—all while keeping your logs secure and offline.
Try it free today!
