Drone News Roundup: Inspire 3 Journey to the Arctic, DJI’s 3 New Agriculture Drones, and More!

This week we’re covering a journey to the Arctic from Denis Barbas shot entirely on the DJI Inspire 3.

We’re also covering the launch of three new agriculture drones from DJI, a new drone delivery startup with a big head start, the Secret Service’s drone rollout, and a call to fast-track the Pentagon’s drone surge.

Now on to the links!

Journey to the Arctic with the Inspire 3

Filmmaker Denis Barbas released this beautiful cinematic journey to the Arctic earlier this year, featuring footage captured entirely in 8K RAW with the DJI Inspire 3. Over a month-long expedition, Barbas braved extreme cold, endless white vistas, and shifting light conditions to capture these ultra-smooth drone shots of dramatic, icy landscapes. The footage shows off the Inspire 3’s dynamic range and ability to capture fine details, delivering crisp visuals even in low winter light.

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DJI Launches Three New Agriculture Drones

This week, DJI launched three new ag drones—the Agras T100, T70P, and T25P—further expanding their flagship Agras series, bringing the total count of Agras drones to 13. These next-gen platforms boast heavier payloads, enhanced safety, and new multi-use capabilities, including spraying, spreading, and lifting. Backed by 12 years of R&D, DJI’s latest lineup aims to boost operational efficiency for precision agriculture, helping farmers implement automation and tackle everything from small plots to massive commercial farms. All three drones have launched globally, but it’s not clear yet whether they’ll be for sale in the U.S.

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This Little Drone Delivery Startup Has a Big Head Start

Credit: DEXA

While big names like Wing and Zipline dominate headlines for drone delivery, tiny startup DEXA has jumped out front—at least from a regulatory perspective. The company, led by CEO Beth Flippo, recently secured all three crucial FAA approvals: airworthiness certification for its aircraft, a Part 135 air carrier certificate, and a national BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) waiver. This positions DEXA among the very few U.S. companies legally cleared for large-scale drone delivery, although its actual delivery footprint and volume are far smaller than the established giants. For now, they’re flying—and delivering—while many others are still waiting in line.

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In Major Shift, Secret Service Rolls Out Drones After Trump Assassination Attempt

The Secret Service has overhauled its approach to aerial security, rolling out a fleet of military-grade drones and establishing mobile command posts nationwide. The move is a direct response to last year’s assassination attempt on (at the time) former President Trump. The shooter flew his own drone over the site for 11 minutes earlier in the day to do aerial reconnaissance, a fact for which the agency has been widely criticized. Now they’re doing something about it. The Secret Service’s new drones are designed for real-time surveillance and threat detection, giving agents the ability not just to detect but also to take down unauthorized drones by jamming them midair. The enhanced integration with local law enforcement and the new dedicated airborne teams mark the biggest technology shift in Secret Service history.

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Hegseth Orders Pentagon to Accelerate Drone Surge

Credit: Pfc. Isaac Llanez Delgado

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has signed a sweeping directive to jump-start U.S. drone dominance, aiming to outpace adversaries like Russia and China. The memo tears up layers of Pentagon red tape, giving frontline commanders new authority to buy, test, and deploy drones on their own—including 3D-printed and off-the-shelf models—without waiting for higher-level approvals. Small drones are now treated as consumables, not traditional military assets, and military drone combat simulations will be required across all branches starting next year. The Pentagon’s goal: thousands of low-cost drones fielded fast and integrated into every aspect of military training by 2027.

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