What Happened in the Drone Universe this week: November 28, 2025
- krdroneworks
- 43 minutes ago
- 4 min read
Your Weekly Update
Happy Friday, pilots! It’s been a wild week in the drone universe. From internet-killing delivery drones in the US to military detection trials buzzing over Ottawa, here is everything you need to know from the last 7 days.
Here is your weekly briefing on the most important news from the drone universe.
🌎 International News
U.S. MQ-9 Reaper crash off South Korea (routine mission — under investigation).Multiple outlets reported a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 crashed into the Yellow Sea on Nov 24–25, 2025; no injuries reported and an investigation is underway. Air & Space Forces Magazine+1
Active battlefield & strike reporting involving drones in the Russia–Ukraine conflict.Continued heavy use of drones and loitering munitions in strikes and air-defence activity was widely reported during the week; coverage includes civilian infrastructure and energy-system impacts. ABC News+1
UTM / air-space integration continues to advance — regulatory & industry momentum.Over the last weeks industry/ANSP/CAA messaging stressed UTM as essential for scaling BVLOS and complex operations: FAA/NASA/ICAO workstreams, industry pilots/USS cohorts, and UTM service provider approvals/activities remain front-of-mind globally. (No single radical rule change in this week — rather continued roll-out and pilots/implementation activity.) Federal Aviation Administration+2Federal Aviation Administration+2
No large, global OEM drone platform launch or blockbuster merger announced in this specific week (Nov 21–28).I searched major OEM / product channels and news wires for Nov 21–28 and found product/news activity clustered earlier in November (e.g., DJI teasers mid-November) and routine firmware/enterprise updates from software providers — but no major brand new UAV platform launch during Nov 21–28. (If you want, I can monitor OEM channels and flag any late announcements.) DroneXL.co+1
Regional military exercises & demonstrations continue to highlight drone roles.NATO and partners demonstrated extensive use of UAS in exercises in recent weeks (examples reported in press) — trend reinforces increased defence procurement and innovation interest.
Amazon Drone vs. The Internet
It sounds like a sci-fi comedy, but it’s real life. An Amazon Prime Air drone (the MK30) crash-landed in Texas this week, but not before clipping a utility line and reportedly knocking out internet for a local customer.
The Aftermath: The FAA has launched a fresh investigation into Amazon’s drone operations.
Why it matters: This comes just as Amazon is trying to ramp up its MK30 rollout. It’s a reminder that "sense and avoid" technology still has some hurdles to clear before pizza-by-drone becomes the norm.
DJI: One Last Hurrah Before the Ban?
Rumors are swirling hard this week that DJI is rushing to release the Avata 360—a hybrid FPV and 360-degree camera drone—before a potential US ban takes effect.
The Scoop: FCC filings have been spotted, suggesting a launch is imminent.
The Ban: With the Countering CCP Drones Act looming in the US Senate, this could be the last major DJI release we see in North America for a while if legislation passes.
MatrixSpace Wins Big with US Army
US-based MatrixSpace just secured a major win in the Army’s xTechCounter Strike competition.
The Tech: Their compact radar system doesn't just "see" objects; it uses AI to classify them instantly.
The Goal: To give soldiers a portable "eye in the sky" detector that can spot hostile micro-drones before they become a threat.
🇨🇦 CANADIAN CONTENT
NAV CANADA — NAV Drone app updates supporting the new categories.
NAV CANADA launched a material NAV Drone update tied to the Nov 4 regulatory changes; the upgrade is positioned to support the new operation types and planning/permission workflows. NAV CANADA+1
Eyes on the Sky: Downtown Ottawa Trials
If you were in downtown Ottawa this week (Nov 24–28) and saw drones buzzing near Parliament, don’t panic!
What happened: The Department of National Defence (DND) ran a "Counter-UAS Sandbox" event.
The Mission: They weren't testing the drones themselves, but rather the detection technology used to spot them in complex urban environments (like bouncing signals off skyscrapers).
The Vibe: It was a rare sight to see authorized ops flying directly over Wellington and Sparks Street!
Volatus Aerospace Secures the Bag
Major business news from one of Canada’s biggest drone players. On Wednesday (Nov 26), Volatus Aerospace closed a massive $26 million financing deal.
The Plan: They are using the cash to expand their "Mirabel Manufacturing Hub" and ramp up production of defense technologies.
The Takeaway: Canadian drone manufacturing is getting serious about scaling up for both commercial and military needs.
Kraken Robotics Crushes It
It wasn't just aerial drones making waves this week. Newfoundland’s Kraken Robotics reported on Monday that their net income doubled thanks to a surge in demand for their underwater mine-hunting drones.
Why it matters: It highlights that Canada is becoming a quiet superpower in unmanned maritime systems, not just aerial ones.
Pilot Reminder (Canada)
Don't forget the new Transport Canada regulations (effective as of Nov 4) are now fully in play.
New Tier: Level 1 Complex Operations (Low-Risk BVLOS) is now a thing.
Fees: Remember that SFOC applications now come with a price tag for commercial operators. Check your accounts!
Fly safe out there, everyone!