Drone News Roundup: Mini 5 Pro Launch Date Leaked, Night Flight in ATTI Over Treacherous Ecuador Waterfall, and More!

This week we’re covering the leaked launch date for the Mini 5 Pro—industry insiders say it will launch in September, though no specific day has been shared yet.

We’re also covering drone footage shot at night in ATTI mode over one of the most dangerous waterfalls in Ecuador, a drone video of a shark feeding on a school of fish, Ghana turning to Zipline in the wake of losing support from USAID, and Malta’s plans to use AI-powered drones for a massive trash cleanup effort.

Now let’s get to those links!

Mini 5 Pro Launch Date Leaked

A leaked photo of the Mini 5 Pro

A September 2025 release date for the DJI Mini 5 Pro has been confirmed by several reliable leakers, marking nearly two years since the Mini 4 Pro’s debut. According to leaks, the Mini 5 Pro will feature a substantial upgrade: a one-inch camera sensor for improved image quality, especially in low light, and advanced LiDAR obstacle avoidance—potentially a first for drones under 250 grams. Other leaked specs include a 50-minute flight time, 15.5-mile range (25 km), vertical shooting modes, audio recording, and AI-powered tracking, all while maintaining its ultra-lightweight, regulation-friendly design.

LEARN MORE

Night Flight in ATTI Over Treacherous Ecuadorian Waterfall

Rafael Suárez, a Quito-based drone pilot and audiovisual producer, recently shared this nighttime footage of Ecuador’s iconic Pailón del Diablo waterfall. Flying a DJI Mini 3 Pro in ATTI mode—that is, with GPS and stabilization disabled—Suárez relied entirely on manual skill to navigate the challenging conditions. The resulting footage is a mesmerizing display of both drone piloting expertise and the natural beauty of the Ecuadorian rainforest after dark.

LEARN MORE

Drone Captures Shark Hunting in School of Fish

This beautiful drone video shot last summer, just 125 yards off Gin Beach in Southampton, New York, shows a shark—likely a dusky, spinner, or blacktip—hunting within a swirling school of menhaden bait fish. The sighting came later than usual in the season, but the growing menhaden schools signal more shark activity ahead. The footage was captured by Joanna L. Steidle, a Southampton-based drone artist known for her striking marine life photography and extensive experience flying drones since 2015. Follow the link below to visit Steidle’s LinkedIn account, where you can find more impressive drone videos like this.

LEARN MORE

Ghana Turns to Zipline as USAID Support Disrupted

Credit: Zipline

After a halt in USAID-funded health programs left vital medical supplies stranded, Ghana has rapidly grown its partnership with Zipline to keep essential medicines and vaccines flowing across the country. By centralizing inventory and using Zipline’s drone hubs, Ghana now delivers more products without extra taxpayer cost, covering the Northern, North East, and Eastern regions of the country, and has plans for expanding even further. The flat-fee model streamlines logistics, reduces waste, and ensures clinics receive critical supplies on demand, making Ghana’s health system more resilient and efficient in the face of global aid uncertainty.

LEARN MORE

Malta Invests $17 Million in Drones for Waste Cleanup

https://t.co/JTG9CcpgX9 Malta is using drones and AI to aid cleanup efforts—see how the system identifies trash in this short video.

— Zacc Dukowitz (@ZaccDukowitz) May 13, 2025

Malta has announced a €17 million (about $17 million) investment in new AI-powered drones to tackle waste in open spaces and rural areas. The new drone system, developed in collaboration with the University of Malta’s Department of Artificial Intelligence, uses computer vision to detect and geolocate litter from above, helping teams to target cleanup efforts more efficiently. The initiative aims to modernize Malta’s public cleanup operations, improve working conditions for staff, and support the country’s broader vision for a cleaner, healthier environment—just one more instance of using drones for good. Check out the footage above to see how the AI system identifies soda cans in aerial footage.

LEARN MORE

Make sure to sign up for our free weekly newsletter using the button below so you can get our weekly newsletter every Saturday, with this roundup and our other featured stories from the week.