Love at first flight – Top 5 Drones of 2022

The tech industry has come a long way in a very brief time. To capture the place’s aerial beauty or to tell a compelling visual story, cinematographers used to fly in a helicopter, which was pretty expensive. Today, you can do that at a bare minimum cost, as drones let you fly around easily and help you shoot breathtaking photos and videos without much of a hustle.

Fly by the seat of your pants 

Getting a drone is one thing, while learning to fly one is another, as it challenges your skills and most of the time, you’ll have to follow your instincts. Your ideal choice of the drone can cost a hefty portion of your bank balance as drones are available in various categories, from budget-friendly beginner drones to the ones that offer the most cinematic experience ever.

DJI Mini 3 Pro

The DJI Mini 3 Pro is the latest incarnation of the DJI Mavic Mini series and the first to feature obstacle avoidance, making it safer and easier to fly. The new 1/1.3-inch 12.1MP sensor of the Mini 3 Pro offers excellent image quality with impressive high ISO handling. The tiny and lightweight drone is known as the best DJI Mavic Mini-series drone to date and is capable of shooting 48MP Raw files and JPEGs.

Specs:

Weight: 249g

Camera: 1/1.3-inch 12.1MP sensor

Video transmission range: up to 12km

Battery: 2453 mAh / up to 34 minutes flight time

Dimensions: Folded 145x90x62mm / Unfolded 171x245x62mm

Video resolution with frame rates: 4K up to 60fps / 2.7K up to 60fps / FHD up to 120fps

DJI Mini 2

DJI Mini 2 is the best entry-level drone in the market if you’re a newbie in flying drones. The drone sports a stabilised, three-axis ultra smooth gimbal 4K video camera with a new controller that expands its range and endures a more polished flying experience. Along with these, the DJI Mini 2  includes features like – GPS, Automated Quickshots, and Find My Drone.

Specs:

Weight: 249g

Camera: 1/2.3-inch 12MP sensor

Video transmission range: up to 10km

Battery: 5200 mAh / up to 31 minutes flight time

Dimensions: Folded 138×81×58 mm / Unfolded 159×203×56 mm

Video resolution with frame rates:: 4K up to 30fps / 2.7K up to 60fps / FHD up to 60fps

DJI Air 2S

Hello shutterbugs, are you looking for the best drone for aerial photography? Then DJI Air 2S is the best drone for you as it is one of the smallest and lightest drones with an oversized Type 1 sensor – ideal for outdoor photographers who prefer lightweight kits. The drone has the ability to shoot 5.4K30 and 4K60 video with HDR, flat, or standard profiles and supports a useful digital zoom option.

Specs:

Weight: 595g

Camera: 1-inch 20MP sensor

Video transmission range: up to 12km

Battery: 3500mAh / up to 31 minutes flight time

Dimensions: Folded 180x97x77mm / Unfolded 183x253x77mm

Video resolution with frame rates:: 5.4K up to 30fps / 4K up to 60fps / 2.7K up to 60fps / FHD up to 120fps

Autel Evo Lite+

The medium size drone from Autel Robotics comes with solid battery life, obstacle detection, and support for 5.4K recording. The Lite+ drone is the best DJI alternative available in the current market and offers several shooting modes in Auto mode to help you get the desired output. The drone has many features similar to DJI Mavic 3 but is considerably less expensive.

Specs:

Weight: 835g

Camera: 1-inch 20MP sensor

Video transmission range: up to 12km

Battery: 6175 mAh / up to 40 minutes flight time

Dimensions: Folded 210×123×95mm / Unfolded 427×384×95mm

Video resolution with frame rates:: 5.4K up to 30fps / 4K up to 60fps / 2.7K up to 60fps / FHD up to 120fps

Ryze Tello

Whether you’re a kid or someone who’s low on a budget, Ryze Tello will fulfil your basic needs. The Tello drone falls into the toy category of drones and offers minimal photo and video functionality with its 5MP camera sensor and 720p output. The inexpensive and lightweight drone can take off from the palm of your hand, can be flipped in mid-air, and covers a distance of up to 100 metres.

Specs:

Weight: 80g

Camera: 5MP sensor

Video transmission range: up to 100 metres

Battery: 1100 mAh / up to 13 minutes flight time

Dimensions: Unfolded 98×92.5x41mm

Video resolution: 720p

Drones Rules 2021: Reviewing Modern-Age Entity

The usage of drones will increase for sure. And, India is adopting this new change. As of now, Exhibit has discussed the defence prospects of drones. But, with the new Liberalised Drone Rules, 2021, Exhibit will set up a new agenda for you with this blog. Through this write-up, you will get to know more about the newly formulated regulations related to UAVs. In addition to this, Exhibit will lay down its review on this executive order passed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Let’s get started! 

Why has the concerned ministry brought such rules?

If you want to operate drones for any specific purpose in India, you need to have permission for it. And, for this purpose, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) becomes important. Hence, if you are a collector who wants to do an aerial and unmanned survey of the district under your control, you cannot simply procure a UAV and start using it. With the new regulations, MoCA has tried to liberalize in terms of getting permission, registering your device with the nodal portal. 

Key Takeaways from Drones Rules, 2021 

  • The number of forms related to registration and other purposes got reduced to 5 from 25.
  • The quantum fee got delinked with the size of the UAV. Hence, a bigger or smaller drone will cost similar unless the functionality differs in any case.
  • The yellow zone near the airport got shrunk to 12 km from 45 km. It means if you are somewhere within a radius of 20 km from that place’s airport, you can fly the UAV without any hassle.
  • The mandate for remote pilots regarding micro and nano drones got scrapped.
  • No need for import clearance from DGCA, meaning you got relief on buying foreign UAVs.
  • Now, you can fly a drone up to 500 kg. 

All these regulations showcase that such steps will surely bolster the drone ecosystem flourish in the country soon.

Lacunae in the Picture

The Liberalized Drones Rules, 2021 has no doubt opened gates for many who want to enter this domain. However, MoCA should work closely with other ministries, especially the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to regulate its sale in the country. A nation like India can become vulnerable if such gadgets reach the hands of left-hand extremists in any way. For this purpose, nodal agencies should set up local centers or give power to the local administration. In addition to this, reducing the perimeter of flying a drone near the airport needs more cautious surveillance as it becomes necessary to keep track, considering the weight of drones has increased.

Conclusion

The Government at this stage has set up an easy policy for the people to get a conducive environment and harness drones as per their usage. Some clauses that have a word like non-commercial depicts prudence, but some remain unchecked. Drones can no doubt change this country’s economic and social realm, but it needs better regulation to keep things stable. If you want to check other defence blogs at the Exhibit platform, click here. For my other article, check out here.

Drone Swarms & Future of Defence Technology

Ever heard of Kamikazee or Blitzkrieg? If not, check out your history books and go through World Wars chapters. It is no less than a flock of weapons giving a surprise attack. But, considering the modern radar technology, making such surprise attacks on aerial space is impossible. So, what to do then? The answer is drone swarming. Drone swarming is a concept that aims to enable autonomous drones to work together as a group for a certain goal. This technology holds the reputation to change how we live and how we work in the near future. Let’s know more about drone swarms through this Exhibit blog.

What are drone swarms?

Many claims that it was they who introduced this drone swarming technology. But, it was Russians who witnessed it during the year 2018. Russians were able to crack down on this flock through their EW&SHORAD system. Drone swarms became a favourite when it comes to destroying oil facilities present in West Asian nations (being an Indian, we will use this term instead of Middle East, coined by Americans and other European countries) like at Aramco unit in Abqaiq and Khurais. And, when the world got hit by COVID-19, a region near Central Asia went through double turmoil conditions, with Azerbaijan and Armenia going to war. This war also witnessed the use of such acumen by Azerbaijan at that time.

Working of Drone Swarming

Drone swarms are the best example of how UAVs coordinate with each other and follow a pattern. It seems that there is a communication line existing between each of them whenever they are maneuvering in any area. During their movement, each of them exchanges information and accordingly follows the pattern. If you hit any of the drones, they will again interact and make a new formation to keep the entire system stable. Hence, these UAVs not only have functionalities of monitoring the rotor and its speed, but it also has to send signals through their network. If any entity gets shot down, the intelligence algorithm among them will bring changes. The following pattern has got its inspiration from a bunch of flies moving in a specific direction. The one controlling these drones, or even if not controlling them, will observe the alignment, separation, and cohesion among these UAVs.

Does India possess Drone Swarming technology?

When we are talking about Drone swarms in other countries, it also becomes important whether we also hold such elements in our campaign or not. And, yes, we do have. Feeling a sense of pride within you? I am sure you may somewhere feel relaxed that we have such modern techniques of warfare with us. A public sector undertaking, HAL, has recently showcased the Air-Launched Flexible Asset (ALFA -S) air-launched swarming drone system. ALFA-S was developed under the Combat Air Teaming System project. Seeing its potential, the US Air Force has also collaborated with India to work more on it. 

Final Remarks

Drones are future weapons of warfare, and drone swarms are inevitable. Even a follower of realism will consider such induction of technology as a big achievement. And, having drones swarming will also provide a better edge in terms of displaying our smart power. To follow other defense-based tech articles on the Exhibit platform, click here.

Drone Destroying Technologies: Nullify UAVs’ Impact

A few days ago, the Exhibit team came out with certain essential concerns about drones. Drones which, if it is in your hand, make you feel empowered. Otherwise, you are vulnerable. In the previous article on drones, Exhibit also discussed those points that are creating an issue. And, to counter them, Exhibit laid out several methodologies to upgrade drone detection systems. But, this time, Exhibit will display how to neutralize such entities if such elements penetrate your territory. Keep an eye and understand what you need to do to destroy or take control of such weapons. 

RF Jammer

In the previous article, we have thoroughly discussed how to upgrade detection equipment with an RF analyzer. But the time has come for jammers. What happens in jamming? I hope you have heard of these instruments earlier. Remember when a political figure sitting at the zenith of administration and governance comes to your vicinity. You may complain about network signals getting lost. The same happens with drones. These jammers emit radio frequency signals at enormous energy. Due to this, the controller signals are unable to reach such UAVs. Once it has lost connectivity, it may go back to its original position or fall uncontrolled.

GPS Spoofers

Imagine you are going to a location using your GPS (through a mobile app). Suddenly, you feel like the distance that was reduced again increased. No, don’t worry, such things don’t happen. But, to counter UAVs if such situations arise, you may easily deter such defensive entities. How? Consider that if you detect a drone has trespassed your land and is trying to make a lethal move, you can send a signal that tells a drone that it has come to the wrong location and must move back. GPS Spoofers is a non-lethal method to resist lethal moves (Quotable quote, isn’t it?). Hence, through such systems, you can avoid drone attacks. 

HPM & HEL Devices 

In easy language, you can imagine that your GPS Spoofers or RF Jammers are like Windows OS. And, this OS platform wants to download updates. Once downloaded, it’s an upgraded element for sure with enhanced features. The HPM (High-Power Microwave) device also sends an electromagnetic pulse (similar to an RF signal). But, this pulse can destroy the electronic circuitry in these UAVs. It is because such vibrations create a high difference in voltage. This difference results in a high jump in current, and that destroys the circuitry. The same is true for HEL (High-Energy Laser) devices, but here you send a laser beam. However, HEL has the edge over all other drone-destroying instruments due to its long-range fire. HEL also helps to reduce collateral damage. 

Conclusion 

The Exhibit has come with another byte on defense technology. This time it has covered aspects of destroying drones. But these are hard bits and pieces. Imagine if all such functionalities and traits integrate into one place. Today, defense R&D is trying to hammer and tap the other aspects too. For other articles on defense technology on the Exhibit platform, click here

Countering Drones: Assessing Drone Monitoring Technologies

Drones are love for some. Many of you have watched the movie “Uri” for sure. You have seen the potential of drones there. The market of drones has simply witnessed a boom and will take a CAGR of 55% by the time 2025 arrives. This market will have a business of around 63 billion USD. However, I am not here to discuss the drones business. The Exhibit will catch a different perspective this time to showcase what massacre it has created. Drones are currently coming into the news due to the series of attacks they are making. Recently, you have observed such incidents in the UT of J&K. Some claimed that drones bring some disadvantage against which it is getting used. Let’s get an idea on this domain and how to deter them by building resilient solutions.

Why are drones powerful?

First of all, you need to know that drones are not stand-alone instruments. It gets controlled remotely. Hence, you can increase and decrease after assessing the situation. A pilot in an aircraft may not get that time to decide what to do next unless clear instructions are not available due to the aircraft’s speed, which is in the multiple of Machs. Apart from this, a drone has better manoeuvering management than fighter aircraft and helicopters due to its small size. Remember, the maneuvering was done by the Uri movie team. They showed that Pakistan knew about some helicopters towards their side, and radar detection could have hampered the Indian contingent. But, that’s not the case with drones. Why? It is because drones have a small size and can easily pass the cross-sections of radars. The slow-motion profiles of these drones cannot generate a huge signal that can create an alert. 

Drone Monitoring Technologies

DMTs are necessary in modern times considering the capability and deployment approach of our neighboring countries. So, what functionality should be there in DMTs? Well, you don’t need to create a separate platform for detection equipment. What to do then? Pretty easy. All you need is to enhance the working of radars. It means that you bring more niche in the framework of radars. And, one of the biggest niches will be the identification of objects. Now, drones being slow empowers them to go undetectable. But, if radar can identify each object and segregate them under birds and other unmanned aerial vehicles, it will be a great accomplishment. Apart from this, one can work tapping the communication signal between the UAV and controller. Hence, for this, one can use a radio frequency analyzer. But RF won’t be effective if someone is using autonomous UAVs against you.

Other Tactical Elements 

RF and enhancing radar functionality is not the end of the world. Let’s empower you in this domain by allowing you to widen your horizon. Think about a drone. Does it make some sound? Yes, it makes it whenever it is moving. Hence, it must be generating some acoustic signals. Now, what if you detect such sound alerts and accordingly enhance your vigilance capability. Isn’t that great? Using acoustic sensors and some additional facilities you can identify the direction and movement of these UAVs. In addition to this, you also know that if any UAV enters your territory and you watch it, you are doing it with your eyes. So, what to do then? Well, here, some computer vision libraries attached to optical sensors can help you detect such events in a better way. It will also generate shreds of evidence that you can present to your enemy.  

Concluding Remarks

I hope this edition has helped you understand drones in a better way and what one needs to do to detect them if, currently, they have the edge over us. The Exhibit will be back again with anti-drone technologies that can help you out in destroying such UAVs. 

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