Drone News Roundup: DJI Quietly Launches the Mavic 3TA, FAA Unveils New NOTAM System, and More!
BY Zacc Dukowitz
9 October 2025This week we’re covering the launch of the DJI Mavic 3TA, an advanced thermal drone in the Mavic 3 Enterprise lineup.
We’re also covering the FAA’s new NOTAM system, two Amazon Prime delivery drones crashing in Arizona, the Skydio X10 being used for bridge inspections, and a U.S. deal in the works with Ukraine to gain access to the country’s military drone technology.
Now let’s get to those links!
DJI Quietly Launches the Mavic 3TA
Credit: DJI
DJI just quietly launched the Mavic 3 Thermal Advanced (Mavic 3TA), bringing a noteworthy upgrade to what aerial thermal can do. The Mavic 3TA features an advanced 8μm thermal sensor, a narrower 41.2° DFOV, and a longer 60mm focal length for sharper thermal insights—all packed in the familiar, rugged 920g Mavic 3 Enterprise chassis. The drone keeps the robust 45-minute flight time, enterprise-grade hybrid zoom, and compatibility with DJI’s enterprise software and accessories. Like other professional thermal drones, the Mavic 3TA is designed for industries like firefighting, search and rescue, infrastructure inspection, and agricultural monitoring where sharp, reliable thermal data is mission-critical.
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FAA Rolls Out New NOTAM System
Drone pilots take note: the FAA has rolled out the first phase of its new NOTAM Management Service (NMS). The upgrade replaces a system notorious for outages, including a 2023 failure that grounded flights nationwide. The new NMS boasts real-time data, robust cloud architecture, and a user-friendly interface. Full transition—impacting over 12,000 users globally—is slated for late spring 2026, promising a true leap forward in airspace safety and reliability.
Key things to know:
- Always check NOTAMs before every flight—TFRs and new restrictions update fast and can impact operations.
- NMS will soon be fully integrated into popular flight planning apps for easier access during preflight checks.
- Filing a NOTAM is not required under Part 107 rules for commercial drone operations, but may be required with certain waivers.
- The legacy NOTAM system will run in parallel for now, so verify notices through both sources when possible.
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Two Amazon Prime Drones Crash in Arizona
Two Amazon Prime Air MK30 delivery drones recently crashed into a construction crane in Tolleson, Arizona, causing significant damage and sparking a small fire. No one was hurt. The FAA and NTSB have launched investigations into the incident, which temporarily paused Amazon’s drone deliveries in the area. Amazon completed an internal review and stated the drones and tech were not at fault. After a two-day pause, Amazon resumed drone deliveries in the area on Friday, implementing enhanced visual landscape inspections to better detect dynamic obstacles like cranes.
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Texas DOT Uses Skydio X10 for Bridge Inspections
The Texas Department of Transportation recently used the Skydio X10 to inspect the Pecos River High Bridge with no lane closures required. Done without a drone, the inspection would have required closing lanes and using cumbersome, hazardous scaffolding or rope access. Using the X10’s full 360° obstacle avoidance, autonomous flight, and precision 3D scanning, TxDOT personnel were able to capture high-resolution images and create digital twins of the bridge. Watch the video to learn more about how drones are transforming bridge inspections.
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U.S. in Talks with Ukraine for Military Drone Technology Deal
Credit: Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine
The U.S. is negotiating a landmark deal with Ukraine to gain access to its battlefield-tested drone technology, a shift that underscores Ukraine’s rising status as a global leader in affordable, combat-proven UAVs. In exchange for royalties or compensation, Kyiv would share drone tech that significantly outperforms U.S. mass-production capabilities in cost and effectiveness. The talks, currently delayed by the U.S. government shutdown, are expected to take months to finalize but signal a major deepening of defense cooperation.
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