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Blue Ridge Mountain Drones Newsletter -

May 2026

For First Responders, Faster Adoption of Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Means Stronger Physical Security

Guest post from Jared Oren, Test and Evaluation Division Director at the Science and Technology Directorate’s (S&T) National Urban Security Technology Laboratory (NUSTL).

Over the past several years, NUSTL has received more inquiries about drones than almost any other technology in our laboratory’s history. We’re seeing more and more cases of public safety agencies using small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) in their daily operations, from providing aerial situational awareness and enhancing physical protection to supporting search and rescue efforts. The practical use cases for this technology are growing, and America’s first responders are looking for insight into how this technology can improve their safety and effectiveness.

FDNY on Convergence of Robotics for Public Safety Response - DRONELIFE

by Miriam McNabb

At DRONERESPONDERS conference, FDNY’s Mike Leo discusses integrating drones, ground robots, and other robotic systems to improve situational awareness

We are excited to announce that NCCON will be held at the historic James B. Hunt Jr. Library in Raleigh, North Carolina. Located on the campus of North Carolina State University, this iconic architectural landmark provides an inspiring and modern setting for one of the nation’s most respected public safety UAS gatherings.

Drone News

Here’s a concise USA drone news newsletter for

May 2026

with key developments and context:

The drone industry in 2026 and beyond may bring major changes across public safety, education, infrastructure, agriculture, and business operations. Some of the biggest growth areas include:

Public Safety & Emergency Response – Drones are becoming a force multiplier for fire, law enforcement, EMS, and emergency management. Search and rescue, wildfire monitoring, disaster assessment, and Drone as First Responder (DFR) programs are expanding rapidly.
Education & Workforce Development – High schools, community colleges, and workforce programs are adding FAA Part 107 training and drone pathways to prepare students for aviation and technical careers.
Infrastructure & Mapping – Utilities, construction, transportation, and public works agencies are using drones for inspections, 2D/3D mapping, digital twins, and asset management.
Agriculture – Precision agriculture continues to grow through crop monitoring, spraying, irrigation analysis, and thermal imaging.
AI & Automation – Artificial intelligence, autonomous flight, swarm technology, and docked drone systems may reduce manpower needs while increasing data collection and operational efficiency.
Regulations & Airspace Integration – Expanded BVLOS operations, Remote ID, and improved UTM systems may open larger commercial opportunities.

The biggest industry pain points remain training, regulation, funding, cybersecurity concerns, public acceptance, and finding skilled operators.

📅 Schedule your own training session and let us bring expert drone education to you! Have questions? Contact us at BlueRidgeMountainDrones@gmail.com

Jacqueline Taylor, CEO

Wayne Bailey, Chief Pilot

Blue Ridge Mountain Drones, LLC

Spot Light

North Carolina Skills USA Competion

Drone Training

Upcoming Unified Response Drone Academy classes offered by Rowan-Cabarrus Community College (NC)

Boost Your Drone Precision with the NIST Practice/Test Lane Package

Introducing the NIST Practice/Test Lane Package from Clement Drone Supply, the ultimate setup for drone pilots looking to enhance their aerial skills. This comprehensive package includes everything needed to practice and evaluate NIST aerial drone 8" targets.

Includes:

3 magnetic bases for easy setup
15 two-gallon buckets
15 8" practice targets
27" x 27" launch/landing pad
100-ft measuring tape for accurate lane setup
Rechargeable countdown timer
Convenient carry-all storage bag for portability

Perfect for professionals and drone enthusiasts aiming to sharpen their skills.

More Info

Life Safety Award

We want to recognize departments for the work they do flying drones. By providing us with this information about your call that saved a life, we will celebrate this event in our monthly newsletter.

Click here to submit your Life Safety using your drone or email us at BlueRidgeMountainDrones@gmail.comwith your story.

We salute Aloft as one of our team members. Click the logo or below to see how they can make your drone team more efficient, tracking maintenance, flight hours, live streaming, and more.

Click here for more information

We salute Zephyr-sim as one of our team members. Click the logo or below to see how they can make your drone team more efficient, tracking maintenance, flight hours, live streaming, and more.

Click here for more information

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