Drone News Roundup: Mayan Cities Mapped by Drone, Avata 2 and Antigravity A1 Sales, and More!
BY Zacc Dukowitz
26 March 2026This week we’re covering archaeologists using a DJI Matrice 400 to create maps of ancient Mayan cities
We’re also covering drone sales for the Avata 2 and Antigravity A1, new $100,000 fines for rogue drones, UAV Coach flight instructor John Monaghan’s drone training for law enforcement in the Bensalem Police Department, and a $52 million Skydio drone order from the U.S. Army.
Now let’s get to those links!
Mapping Ancient Mayan Cities by Drone
When the Mirador basin was first discovered, it changed how archaeologists think about the history of the Maya. Located in northern Guatemala, it has been one of the most important archaeological sites of the ancient Maya civilization. The video above covers how archaeologists are using the DJI Matrice 400 equipped with a Zenmuse L3 LiDAR sensor to study the area today. The LiDAR data lets them generate detailed 3D maps, revealing structures that were previously hidden by dense jungle canopy.
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Avata 2 and Antigravity A1 Get Big Discounts Ahead of Avata 360 Launch
Ahead of the Avata 360 launch, the DJI Avata 2 is currently on sale for about 15% to 25% off, and the Antigravity A1 is on sale for 20% off. Even with the arrival of the Avata 360, the Avata 2 remains an impressive FPV-style drone, while the A1 stands out for its 360 capture capabilities, putting the two in slightly different categories depending on how you plan to shoot. These are some of the steepest discounts we’ve seen on these two drones. If you’ve been on the market for a solid 360 or FPV drone, this may be a good time to pull the trigger.
Here are the current deals:
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Bensalem Police Expand Drone Unit with Training Led by UAV Coach Instructor John Monaghan
Credit: Bensalem Police
Bensalem Police say they’ve doubled the size of their drone unit after training 12 new drone pilots, with the instruction led by John Monaghan of JRM Drone Services, who is also a UAV Coach in-person flight instructor. The department also says it has launched a Drone as First Responder (DFR) program, allowing drones to be deployed immediately to incidents to provide real-time situational awareness. This week, we published a new case study highlighting Monaghan’s work training police departments, which he started after retiring from almost three decades in law enforcement.
Read the case study here, and follow the link below to learn more about the Bensalem Police’s work with drones.
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Department of Defense Announces $100,000 Fines for Rogue Drones
The U.S. government is stepping up enforcement against unauthorized drone activity, with new penalties that can reach up to $100,000 per violation. The crackdown, led in part by the Department of Defense, focuses on drones flying near sensitive sites like military bases and critical infrastructure. The effort is part of a broader, coordinated push across federal agencies to expand enforcement authority and respond more aggressively to incursions. Officials say the new fines are meant to deter reckless or illegal drone use as drone activity continues to grow nationwide.
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U.S. Army Places $52 Million Skydio Order, Biggest Single-Vendor Order Ever
The Skydio X10D | Credit: Skydio
Skydio says the U.S. Army has placed an order worth more than $52 million for over 2,500 X10D drones. According to the company, this is the largest drone order ever from a single company in Army history. The huge order underscores the rapid growth in demand for portable autonomous drones, especially for ISR (intelligence, reconnaissance, and surveillance) work. Notably, the deal didn’t take years or months to broker—Skydio says it moved from bid to contract in less than 72 hours.
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