Drone News Roundup: First Leaked Image of the Matrice 400A, Rare Superpod of Dolphins Captured by Drone, and More!
BY Zacc Dukowitz
6 March 2025This week we’re covering the first leaked image of the DJI Matrice 400A.
We’re also covering rare drone footage of a dolphin superpod, a drone tour of the Philippines, Amazon suspending its College Station drone delivery program amid ongoing noise complaints, and a response from the Law Enforcement Drone Association (LEDA) to AUVSI’s call for a Chinese drone ban.
Now on to the links!
First Leaked Image of the Matrice 400A
Well hello there…DJI Matrice 400A.#dji #djimatrice400a pic.twitter.com/ulbkVhKv26
— Igor Bogdanov (@Quadro_News) February 28, 2025
This photo shared recently by Igor Bogdanov is the first leaked image of the Matrice 400A. Though it’s not the best quality, we can make out a drone with a similar design to the M350, with a boxy body, folding arms, and familiar landing gear. So far, the main thing we know about the Matrice 400A is that it will be a heavy-lift drone, potentially capable of carrying around 22 pounds (10kg), which is a lot more than the 6 pounds (2.7kg) the M350 can carry. In January we shared our DJI launch predictions for 2025, and the Matrice 400A was on the list. It’s looking more and more likely that prediction will come true—follow the link below to see the post.
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Rare Superpod of Dolphins Captured by Drone
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Boat captain and drone wildlife videographer Evan Brodsky recently captured this remarkable drone video of a super pod of over 2,000 dolphins. The footage was shot near California’s Monterey Bay. Dolphins in the superpod included the elusive northern right whale dolphins, identifiable by its lack of a dorsal fin, as well as light gray calves and hundreds of Pacific white-sided dolphins. Check out the video for beautiful footage of dolphins breaching and playing as they swim along in a massive formation.
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Drone Tour of the Philippines
This FPV drone tour of the Philippines from Samuel Kwan takes us on a tour of the country’s breathtaking landscapes, from lush mountains to vibrant coastlines. The video was shot in January, a time known as “Amihan,” which happens in the middle of dry season, bringing cool, dry winds—and perfectly temperate weather for getting great drone footage. The shots captured were taken in Cebu, known for its canyoneering and natural landscape, and Palawan, known for its breathtaking beaches and unique attractions like the Puerto Princesa Underground River.
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Amazon Suspends College Station Drone Delivery Program Amid Noise Complaints
Credit: Amazon
Amazon has halted its drone delivery program in College Station, TX. Since launching, the program has faced significant pushback due to noise complaints. Residents have compared the delivery drones to “flying chainsaws” and “a giant hive of bees,” prompting Amazon to reduce flights and introduce its newer, quieter MK30 drones. Explaining why it has suspended operations in College Station, Amazon cites the need for software updates after recent crashes during test flights as the reason. But complaints may have contributed—the company plans to relocate its drone port later this year, a change pushed for by the community surrounding its current location.
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LEDA Challenges AUVSI’s Stance on Chinese Drone Bans
Credit: DJI
The Law Enforcement Drone Association (LEDA) has issued an open letter criticizing AUVSI’s support for banning Chinese-made drones in public safety agencies. In a recent LinkedIn post, LEDA President John Beal accused AUVSI President Michael Robbins of “overt gaslighting” regarding drone legislation related to China. Beal emphasized that LEDA is not trying to speak out in favor of specific drone companies, but instead favors a platform-agnostic approach, letting agencies choose the best drones for their needs. Beal went on to question AUVSI’s claims about American drones being able to match Chinese competitors, and highlighted the potential negative impact of bans on public safety capabilities. Read Robbins’ AUVSI statement on DroneLife, and follow the link below for Beal’s full LEDA statement.
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