Author

Michael Thornton

Michael Thornton is a drone industry analyst specializing in commercial UAV adoption, market trends, and regulatory strategy. He has consulted for startups and enterprises across North America and Europe, helping businesses integrate drone technology into scalable and compliant operations.

Business of Drones

New DIU Project Targets Scalable, Containerized Drone Launch and Recovery Systems

Michael Thornton Feb 6, 2026 0

"240" data-end="340">DoD Seeks Automated Infrastructure to Support Large-Scale Autonomous Drone Operations The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), through the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), has opened a new Commercial Solutions Opening…

Business of Drones

The Companies Tapped for the Pentagon’s Drone Dominance Push

Michael Thornton Feb 6, 2026 0

"417" data-end="508">U.S. Department of War Launches Industry Competition for Drone Dominance Program Phase I The U.S. Department of War has formally announced the companies invited to participate in Phase I of its Drone Dominance…

Business of Drones

MatrixSpace Expands AI Software Platform to Enable Multi-Sensor, Real-Time Counter-Drone Detection

Michael Thornton Feb 5, 2026 0

"104" data-end="214">Updated edge-to-cloud architecture supports early warning, threat assessment, and unified airspace awareness MatrixSpace has announced a major update to its MatrixSpace AI Software Platform, expanding its ability to…

Business of Drones

Why “Best-in-Class” Components Aren’t Enough Anymore

Michael Thornton Feb 5, 2026 0

"250" data-end="511">How sourcing expectations are changing how drones are engineered Amprius’ newly announced U.S.-based manufacturing partnership with Nanotech Energy is more than a battery supply-chain milestone. It is another signal…

Business of Drones

Event 38 Delivers E455 VTOL Drone Systems to Florida State Guard

Michael Thornton Jan 22, 2026 0

Systems to support emergency response, disaster relief, and public safety missions statewide Event 38 Unmanned Systems has delivered E455 fixed-wing VTOL drone systems and mission payloads to the Florida State Guard (FSG). The delivery…

Business of Drones

FAA’s Expansive Chicago Drone Ban Raises Questions Over Security and Civil Liberties

Michael Thornton Oct 6, 2025 0

FAA issues expansive Chicago TFR to protect federal officers By DRONELIFE Features Editor Jim Magill The FAA has established an unusually extensive and prolonged temporary flight restriction (TFR) for drones operating over downtown Chicago,…

Business of Drones

Munich Airport Drone Disruption Raises Alarms over Civil Aviation Security

Michael Thornton Oct 3, 2025 0

High Contrast, CC BY 3.0 DE Late on the evening of October 2, Munich International Airport halted flight operations after multiple unconfirmed drone sightings in its airspace. Authorities restricted departures early, then suspended all…

Business of Drones

Drone Sightings: Reporting Risks or Overreacting?

Michael Thornton Oct 2, 2025 0

Public concern about drones is rising worldwide, with authorities urging citizens to report sightings “without hesitation.” But does this approach help aviation safety—or does it risk fueling fear and misunderstanding? In today’s guest…

Business of Drones

DEXA Secures $15M to Expand At-Home Drone Delivery in Major U.S. Cities

Michael Thornton Sep 25, 2025 0

FAA milestones position the company to compete in the drone delivery market Drone delivery company DEXA has closed an oversubscribed $15 million seed round to expand operations and introduce at-home drone delivery in major metropolitan…

Business of Drones

DJI’s Comments on the BVLOS NPRM: “Let’s Make Sure it Works for Everyone”

Michael Thornton Sep 19, 2025 0

DJI Warns BVLOS NPRM Could Exclude Its Platforms — With Big Implications for Users "369" data-end="433">DJI’s Viewpoints: Support for BVLOS, but Exclusion Concerns In a recent Viewpoints blog post, DJI welcomed the FAA’s proposed Part…

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