The UAV Digest is now UAV News Talk!

Episodes

Dec. 26, 2025

Counter-UAS Drone Defense: Capturing Drones with LiDAR, Nets, and Parachutes

Max Trescott talks with David Hall, founder and CEO of Velodyne Space, about a new approach to counter-UAS defense that focuses on capturing drones using LiDAR, nets, and parachutes instead of destroying them. Hall begins by ...
Oct. 29, 2025

Ukraine to Build Drones for the U.S., and Hobby Drone Bans Threaten STEM Education

Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof tackle an unexpected reversal in global drone production and a growing crisis for the hobbyist drone community. The show opens with a headline few would have predicted a decade ago: Ukraine n...
Oct. 25, 2025

Germany’s Drone Crackdown, Sikorsky’s Autonomous Black Hawk, and FAA Shutdown Fallout — UAV News Talk 436

Episode 436 of UAV News Talk dives into global security, emerging automation, and the effects of Washington’s budget stalemate on the future of flight. Hosts Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof examine how nations, defense cont...
Sept. 12, 2025

FAA eVTOL Approvals, Drone-in-a-Box Tech, HALE Solar UAVs, and EHang’s African Debut

Max talks with David Vanderhoof in Episode 435 of UAV News Talk about an especially busy week in drone, eVTOL, and military UAV news. The episode covers new FAA certifications, autonomous launch systems, solar-powered enduran...
Aug. 25, 2025

Joby Buys Blade, China’s 2-Ton eVTOL, FAA Powered-Lift Rules & Drone Rescues

Max and David reunite for UAV News Talk episode 434, bringing listeners a wide-ranging discussion on the latest UAV, eVTOL, and rotorcraft developments. FAA Advisory Circular on Powered-Lift They start with the FAA’s release ...
Aug. 10, 2025

BVLOS Rules, School Safety Drones, Mars Helicopters & Michigan Drone Skyway – UAV News Talk

BVLOS rules, school safety drones, NASA’s Mars helicopters, and Michigan’s 40-mile drone research skyway take center stage in UAV News Talk episode 433, hosted by Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof. The discussion begins with ...
July 24, 2025

Drone Fireworks, Police UAVs, and a Black Hawk Crash in Texas

In Episode 432 of UAV News Talk, Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof explore the evolving role of drones in public events, law enforcement, and emergency response—highlighting both their growing utility and the risks of poor co...
July 1, 2025

Drone Delivery Test: Max Trescott Reviews Matternet’s BVLOS UAV Drop

Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof dive into the future of drone delivery in Episode 431 of UAV News Talk. Max shares his firsthand experience receiving multiple packages via drone as part of a pilot program from Matternet, a ...
June 16, 2025

430 DJI Drone Ban, Battery Fires, and Beta Alia’s Transatlantic Flight

In episode 430 of UAV News Talk , Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof return from vacation with urgent news and safety concerns in the drone industry. The episode opens with a major headline: the DJI Mavic 4 Pro is not availabl...
May 29, 2025

429 The UAV Digest Relaunch: eVTOLs, Drones, and the Future of Flight

Episode 429 marks a major milestone for the podcast formerly known as The UAV Digest , soon to be relaunched as UAV News Talk . Max Flight and David Vanderhoof return to the mic after a long hiatus to introduce new co-host Ma...
April 30, 2025

428 We’re Coming Back and We need Your Feedback to Make Us Better

If you’ve been a longtime listener, you know it’s been a while — actually, a couple of years — since our last episode. But the good news is: The UAV Digest is coming back! Since we last released an episode, the world of drone...
April 14, 2023

427 Drone Safety Day 2023

Drone Safety Day, shape-changing drone, jump-start your car, Florida bans DJI, sUAS decision-making, avoiding collisions, adding VTOL to fixed-wing, farmers save water, land a drone in Red Square.
March 31, 2023

426 ADS-B Spoofing

Detecting ADS-B spoofing, racing drone munitions, aerial tanking drones, self-flying F-16s, Condor heavy-lift UAV, light tactical UAS, Archer and United air taxi service in Chicago.
March 24, 2023

425 Drone Delivery Network

A drone delivery network, using drones to intercept aircraft, DJI drops AeroScope, DJI security risks, cardboard drones, plans for 1,000 loyal wingmen drones, new Zipline aircraft, Russian Su-27 fighter jets intercept a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper.
March 4, 2023

424 Personal eVTOL

Another personal eVTOL, cops flying BVLOS, military drones with facial recognition, a lethal drone designed in Australia, the Lilium Jet eVTOL, and moving air quietly. UAV News Is this one-seat flying saucer the future of fli...
Feb. 25, 2023

423 Ameriflight Cargo Drones

Ameriflight cargo drones from Saberwing and Natilus, autonomous wind turbine inspections, American Security Drone Act, hydrogen-powered octocopter, Green and Blue UAS.
Feb. 17, 2023

422 Global Drone Market

Global drone market report, aircraft control with AI, slow start to Amazon drone deliveries, drones disrupt flight operations, testing service for microgravity research.
Feb. 4, 2023

421 Cargo Drone

An autonomous blended-wing cargo drone and a smaller electric cargo drone, Eaglet takes flight, taser drones at public schools, GAO recommendations for FAA strategy, the Dronut, two MQ-9 Reapers for a Dollar, BVLOS inspection solution.
Jan. 27, 2023

420 Toroidal Propellers

Toroidal propellers reduce multirotor noise, layoffs at Prime Air, Valkyrie drones for the Marines, advanced air mobility in Utah, mapping with a collision-tolerant drone, cargo drone carries 100 pounds 600 miles.
Jan. 20, 2023

419 Collecting Environmental DNA with a Drone

Autonomous drone collects environmental DNA, measuring flapping performance, outlawing flight over prisons, flying drugs into the U.S., ex-drone manager sues Amazon.
Jan. 13, 2023

418 Weather Prediction with Drones

Drones for weather prediction, tracking inventory with autonomous drones, NPRM for UAS communications spectrum, Walmart delivery statistics, underwater drones, the electric grid, cargo delivery to ships.
Dec. 9, 2022

417 UAV Tether in Heavy Seas

UAV tether, advanced drones, building designs, Martian missions, Army short-range reconnaissance program, Apple patent, birds, Ukraine drones.
Dec. 2, 2022

416 European Drone Strategy 2.0

European drone strategy 2.0, Ukraine drones, wildlife investigations, three active volcanoes, UAS frequencies, consumer attitudes, hydrogen power, Dover AFB sUAS program.
Nov. 25, 2022

415 Amazon Prime Air Drone

The latest Amazon Prime Air drone, XQ-58A Valkyrie tactical drones, bringing a drone on a cruise ship, a drone light show fail, and attacking a navy with uncrewed surface vessels. UAV News Amazon reveals the new design for Pr...