Drone News Roundup: Matrice 400A Hits the FCC Database, Mavic 4 Pro Final Design Leaked, and More!

This week we’re covering news that the DJI Matrice 400A has appeared in the FCC’s database, indicating a launch may come soon.

We’re also covering leaks of the Mavic 4 Pro’s final design, a cinematic drone tour of the Faroe Islands, the largest EV maker in the world partnering with DJI to launch a vehicle-mounted drone platform, and the passing of Romeo Durscher, a beloved leader and innovator in the drone industry.

Now let’s get to those links!

Matrice 400A Hits the FCC Database

The DJI Matrice 400A recently appeared in the FCC database, signaling its imminent release. The FCC filing confirms that the 400A will have a powerful 977Wh battery, which is where the idea that it will be a heavy-lift drone first originated (the thinking being that, given all that power, the drone must be meant to carry heavy things). Another recent leak about the Matrice 400A revealed it may come with a sub-2 GHz SDR (Software-Defined Radio) module, potentially enhancing its long-range communication capabilities for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations. The 400A’s FCC ID is SS3-M400A2412—click the link below to see the official filing.

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Mavic 4 Pro Final Design Leaked

The shell of M4P. pic.twitter.com/bF4j5mkXqu

— OsitaLV (@OsitaLV) March 5, 2025

Recent leaks reveal the final design for the Mavic 4 Pro. In leaked images, we see a redesigned body with a new, more aerodynamic propeller system that includes an easy-release disk on top, enhancing airflow and protecting the motors from dust and rain. These changes indicate the drone will probably fly quieter and have extended flight times. We also see a more substantial gimbal assembly housing a distinctive three-lens camera configuration, along with a prominent heat sink at the rear of the aircraft for improved thermal management. Follow the link below for another leak from Jasper Ellens with a short video of the Mavic 4 Pro caught in the field.

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Mavic 3 Pro Tour of the Faroe Islands

With their dramatic cliffs, green valleys, and scenic villages, the Faroe Islands have become almost as popular a destination for shooting cinematic drone footage as Iceland. (One thing Iceland has that the Faroe Islands doesn’t, of course, is active volcanoes.) In this new video from drone pilot Samuel Kwan we get a beautiful, fast-paced tour of the islands, which form an archipelago in the North Atlantic. To get these shots Kwan and his crew battled the Faroe Islands’ notoriously unpredictable weather, not to mention a few drone crashes along the way. Kwan used several drones to get the footage in this video, including a DJI Mavic 3 Pro, an Air 3, a Mini 3 Pro, and a DJI Avata 2 equipped with a GoPro 11 Black mini.

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World’s Largest EV Maker Partners with DJI

BYD, the world’s largest electric vehicle manufacturer, has partnered with DJI to create the Lingyuan system, a new vehicle-mounted drone platform. The system allows drivers to launch, control, and charge a DJI drone directly from their BYD electric vehicles. Priced at $2,195, the Lingyuan system features a roof-mounted docking station, automated flight tracking, and AI-powered video editing. The system is currently only available in China on select BYD models—but even if we can’t buy it yet, it’s pretty cool to look at.

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Drone Industry Mourns the Loss of Romeo Durscher, Public Safety Leader and Innovator

Credit: Romeo Durscher

The drone industry is mourning the loss of Romeo Durscher, a visionary leader in the realm of public safety drones, who passed away last week after a battle with cancer.

Durscher was widely recognized as a pioneer in integrating drone technology into emergency services, and he left an indelible mark on the industry. His career spanned from NASA to DJI, where he served as Director of Public Safety Integration, developing protocols that revolutionized how drones are used in emergency response worldwide.

Durscher’s work included leading 15 drone teams to map over 177,000 acres following the devastating 2018 Camp Fire in California. He won several awards throughout his career, including The Law Enforcement Drone Association’s inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award, The Golden Medal from the Estonian Chamber of Commerce, and recognition by Commercial UAV News as one of the 25 most influential people in the drone industry.

But Durscher’s legacy extends beyond his technological innovations. He was known for his warm personality, infectious enthusiasm, and unwavering commitment to using drones for the greater good. I was lucky enough to meet Romeo when he spoke on a webinar I moderated for Flyability in 2020, and I remember him as a warm, sincere person and generous, insightful speaker. Since his diagnosis was made public last year, so many people have come forward to share stories about him and write tributes, including Miriam McNabb of Drone Life, Sally French of The Drone Girl, and the Law Enforcement Drone Association (LEDA).

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