American Made Drones: Your Essential Guide to Top US Drones

The Best American made drones offer reliable performance, complete feature sets, and NDAA compliance to operate in critical infrastructure environments.

In recent years, the drone industry has made a rather large pivot away from foreign drones and shifted to domestic drones.

Enterprise and government organizations operating in the US drone industry are unable to use Chinese made drones.  

These organizations are required to transition away from companies like DJI and find American drones to replace their aging fleet.

What Do American Made Drones Exactly Mean?

American made drones are ultimately NDAA-approved drones. 

In the drone industry, “NDAA compliance” is a short way of saying “ensuring supply chain security.” 

NDAA compliance involves a federal law that prevents the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) from purchasing drones that fall into one of these categories:

• Drones made in a covered foreign country or by a company based in that country.
• Drones that use components like flight controllers, radios, data transmission devices, cameras, gimbals, ground control systems, or operating software manufactured in that covered foreign country or by a company based there.

This law, called Section 848 of the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), identified China as the “covered foreign country.” 

Subsequently, in 2022, Congress expanded this law to include Russia, Iran, and North Korea. More recently, Congress made it even broader by including private companies as well. 

Starting in October 2024, private companies won’t be able to use DJI drones for Department of Defense contracts.

However, drones on the Blue UAS Cleared list are exempt from the DoD’s policy exception requirement because they have undergone cybersecurity and NDAA compliance evaluations, and have been issued the necessary administrative documentation.

The Blue sUAS 2.0 project has incorporated the following drones into the DIU Blue UAS Cleared List:

• Intense Eye V2, by BlueHalo
• eBee Tac, by senseFly, an AgEagle company
• WingtraOne, by Wingtra
• Spirit, by Ascent AeroSystems
• Osprey Hexacopter, by Easy Aerial
• AltaX, by Freefly Systems
• X2D (new configuration), by Skydio
• Edge 130, by Flightwave
• H6 HE, H6 Hydrone and H6, by Harris Aerial
• IF750 and IF1200, by Inspired Flight

It is important to note that the Blue SUAS list is drone-specific, not manufacturer-specific. 

These drones can work in critical environments. They can be inspecting railroads, conducting solar inspections in sensitive environments operated by government entities, or even inspecting our utilities. 

This list does include drones that are made in foreign countries but are in compliance with security standards. 

American Drones are approved to fly in American airspace for government entities or to be flown around critical infrastructure. 

While companies like DJI have vastly dominated the commercial verticals of the industry, they’re being phased out quickly and aggressively. 

The evolution and transition to only domestically made drones have been accelerating.

Recently, Florida enforced a ban on Chinese made drones for public safety and public works agencies. This has caused numerous drone programs to shut down. 

These departments now need to raise new funds to purchase domestically made drones.

We have a detailed drone guide for public safety that compares many domestically made drones.

11 Best American Made Drones

While many new drones have popped up in the marketplace, few drone manufacturers are able to deliver a reliable platform to perform creative and technical tasks. 

Many of these new domestically approved or U.S. made drones have been catching up in features and payload offerings, like DJI’s M30T.  

There have been a few clear front-runners in the domestic space.  

The best American (or domestically approved) drones are:

1. Freefly Astro
2. Parrot Anafi Ai
3. Skydio 2+
4. Sony Airpeak S1
5. Wingtra One
6. Brinc Lemur 2
7. AeroVironment Raven B
8. Harris Aerial H6
9. Easy Aerial Raptor
10. Inspired Flight IF800 Tomcat
11. Skyhero Loki Mk II

Let’s take a look at each of these drones and find out more about their features, capabilities, and limitations.

1. Freefly Astro

Freefly Astro | Source: Freefly

The Freefly Astro is a cinematic drone designed for professional filmmakers. It has a carbon fiber frame and a payload capacity of up to 20 pounds, making it ideal for carrying large cameras and lenses. The Astro also features many advanced features, such as a built-in GPS, a return-to-home function, and obstacle avoidance.

Features of Freefly Astro

Feature	Freefly Astro
Dimensions (unfolded, with props)	1407 mm
Maximum gross takeoff weight	6665 g
Maximum payload	1500 g
Flight time	Up to 37 minutes (typical flights with Mapping Payload are 25-32 minutes)
Battery type	Freefly SuperLight Batteries (SL8-Air) – 6S
Camera compatibility	Wide range of professional cinema and mapping cameras
Payload compatibility	Mapping Payload, Wiris Pro Payload (Thermal), and other custom payloads
Flight controller	Freefly Custom Designed Skynode
Flight controller software	Auterion Enterprise PX4 (custom for Astro)

 

2. Parrot Anafi Ai

Parrot Anafi Ai | Source: Parrot

The Parrot Anafi Ai is a compact and lightweight drone that is perfect for beginners and experienced users alike. It features a 21-megapixel camera with 4K video recording capabilities, as well as many AI-powered features, such as automatic tracking and subject recognition. The Anafi Ai also has a long flight time of up to 25 minutes.

Anafi Ai Drone | Competitive All-in-One Commercial Drone

Features of Parrot Anafi Ai

Feature	Parrot Anafi Ai
Camera sensor	48 MP 1/2” CMOS sensor
Video resolution	4K UHD at 60 fps, HDR8, and HDR10 support
Photo resolution	48 MP
Zoom	6x digital zoom
Flight time	Up to 26 minutes
Range	Up to 4 kilometers
4G connectivity	Yes
AI features	Automatic subject tracking, obstacle avoidance, intelligent flight modes

 

3. Skydio 2+

Skydio 2+ | Source: Skydio

The Skydio 2+ is a professional drone that is known for its advanced autonomous flight capabilities and high-quality camera. It is a significant upgrade from the original Skydio 2, with some new features and improvements.

With two omnidirectional external antennas, the Skydio 2+ can fly up to 6 kilometers away from the controller, compared to 3.5 kilometers for the original Skydio 2. This makes it ideal for long-distance flights and aerial photography.

The Skydio 2+ uses six cameras and six AI cores to create a 360-degree map of its surroundings, allowing it to avoid obstacles even in complex environments.

Skydio 2

Features of Skydio 2+

Features	Skydio 2+
Weight (With Battery)	800 g
Flight Time	Up to 27 minutes
Max Flight Speed (Sea Level, No Wind)	36 mph
Operational Temperature Range	-5°C to 40°C
Color Video Resolution	4K / 60 fps with 3x digital zoom
Advanced Ai-Pilot Assistance	360 Superzoom, Close Proximity, Obstacle Avoidance, Point-of-Interest Orbit, Track-in-Place, Vertical View, Visual Return-to-Home

 

4. Sony Airpeak S1

Sony Airpeak S1 | Source: Sony

The Sony Airpeak S1 is a professional drone that is designed for filmmakers and photographers. It has a carbon fiber frame and a payload capacity of up to 11 pounds, making it ideal for carrying large cameras and lenses. The Airpeak S1 also features many advanced features, such as a built-in GPS, a return-to-home function, and obstacle avoidance.

Features of Sony Airpeak S1

Feature	Sony Airpeak S1
Dimensions	700 x 600 x 220 mm (unfolded)
Weight	2525 g (including batteries and gimbal)
Max takeoff weight	4.9 kg
Flight time	Up to 22 minutes (with Alpha 7S III and CineAlta V1 camera)
Max speed	80 km/h (Sport mode)
Max wind resistance	45 km/h
Transmission system	OcuSync 3 Enterprise
Control range	Up to 12 km
Camera compatibility	Sony Alpha series, Sony Cinema Line
Obstacle avoidance	Yes (upward, downward, forward, backward)
Intelligent flight modes	Yes (CineFrame, ActiveTrack, Waypoint, etc.)

 

5. Wingtra One

Wingtra One | Source: Wingtra

Wingtra is a Swiss company that specializes in high-performance mapping drones. Their drones are used by professionals in a variety of industries, including surveying, construction, and agriculture. Wingtra drones are known for their accuracy, reliability, and ease of use.

The Wingtra One is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) fixed-wing drone that is designed for high-precision aerial surveying and mapping. It is a popular choice for professionals in a variety of industries, including construction, engineering, and mining.

Features of Wingtra One

Feature	WingtraOne
Type	Fixed-wing VTOL
Weight	2.7 kg (6 lbs)
Payload	Sony RX1R II, Sony a6100, RGB61
Resolution	42.4 MP, 24.2 MP, 61.5 MP
GSD	Down to 0.7 cm/px
Accuracy	Horizontal: down to 1 cm (0.4 in) Vertical: down to 3 cm (1.2 in)
Flight time	Up to 59 minutes
Wind resistance	Max sustained wind: 12 m/s (27 mph) Max wind gusts: 18 m/s (40 mph)
Communication	Bi-directional 10 km (6 mi) in direct line of sight
Software	WingtraPilot
Safety features	Obstacle avoidance, return to home, fail-safe

 

6. Brinc Lemur 2

Lemur 2 | Source: Bric Drones

Brinc Drones is a US drone company that specializes in heavy-lift drones. Their drones are used to transport cargo in a variety of industries, including construction, logistics, and disaster relief. Brinc drones are known for their ability to lift heavy payloads and fly long distances.

 The Brinc Lemur 2 is a next-generation public safety drone that is designed to give law enforcement and first responders the eyes and ears they need to stay safe and respond to emergencies more effectively.

Features of Lemur 2

Feature	Lemur 2
Weight	2.5 kg
Dimensions	630 x 560 x 240 mm
Flight time	55 minutes
Payload	4K visual camera, FLIR thermal camera, spotlight, night vision illuminator, microphone, and loudspeaker
Resolution	4K visual camera, 160×120 thermal camera
Video resolution	4K at 60 fps
Video format	MP4, MOV
Communication	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, LTE
Navigation	GPS, GLONASS, Galileo
Positioning accuracy	1 cm
Obstacle avoidance	Yes
Return to home	Yes
Fail-safe	Yes

 

7. AeroVironment Raven B

Raven B | Source: AeroVironment

AeroVironment specializes in small, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Their UAVs are used by the military, law enforcement, and commercial customers. 

AeroVironment UAVs are known for their small size, long endurance, and advanced capabilities.

AeroVironment’s drones are employed by both the military and commercial sectors across the globe, performing a wide range of missions, including:

• Reconnaissance and Surveillance: Collecting critical data in real-time.
• Target Acquisition and Designation: Precisely identifying and marking targets.
• Communications Relay: Strengthening communication networks in remote areas.
• Cargo Resupply: Delivering vital supplies to challenging locations.
• Disaster Relief: Providing swift assistance during emergencies.
• Environmental Monitoring: Gathering environmental data for research purposes.

AeroVironment is renowned for its drones’ key attributes, including their lightweight construction, portability, and user-friendly operation. 

The Raven B, the company’s flagship drone, is among the most widely deployed UAVs worldwide.

Raven B | Source: AeroVironment

In addition to drones, AeroVironment also manufactures Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGVs) and High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellites (HAPS). 

UGVs are ground-based unmanned vehicles, while HAPS are high-altitude drones capable of extended flight durations.

Here are specific examples of AeroVironment’s drones and their applications:

• Raven B: A compact, hand-launched UAV designed for reconnaissance and surveillance.
• Switchblade: A versatile loitering munition tailored for precise targeting.
• Wasp: A nano-UAV suitable for indoor and outdoor surveillance tasks.
• Puma: A medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV used for reconnaissance and surveillance missions.

Features of Raven B

Features	Raven B
Payloads	Mantis™ i23: Dual 5 MP EO/IR + LWIR Mantis™ i23 D: Dual 18 MP EO
Speed	Cruise: 32 km/h, Dash: 81 km/h
Operating Altitude	100–500 ft (30–152 m) AGL, typical Max. launch 14k ft (4,267 m) MSL
Gcs	Crysalis™ & legacy common GCS
Launch Method	Hand-launched
Recovery Method	Autonomous or manual precision deep-stall landing

 

8. Harris Aerial H6 HL

Harris Aerial H6 HL | Source: Harris Aerial

Harris Aerial specializes in advanced drone systems. Their drones are used by the military, government agencies, and commercial customers. Harris Aerial drones are known for their ruggedness, reliability, and advanced capabilities.

Harris Aerial H6 HL comes with a robust thrust capability of over 300 pounds. The Carrier H6 HL is well-equipped to handle the most demanding payloads.

Features of Harris Aerial H6 HL

Features	H6 HL
Operation Temperature	-20°C to 49°C
Max Takeoff Weight	95 kg
Max Payload	40 kg
Flight Time	45 mins. (No Payload)
Flight Modes	GPS Loiter, Altitude Hold, Fully Autonomous
GPS	Dual RTK GNSS
Dimensions (folded)	1000mm x 1000mm x 355.6mm

 

9. Easy Aerial Raptor

Easy Aerial Raptor | Source: Easy Aerial 

Easy Aerial was founded in 2015. The company is known for its consumer-friendly drones that are easy to fly and affordable. Easy Aerial drones are also known for their high-quality cameras and long flight times.

Raptor is a groundbreaking hybrid drone that combines the limitless flight capability of a tether with the advanced ability of up to 45 minutes of untethered free flight. 

With a versatile payload capacity, Raptor can be equipped with a wide range of sensors and equipment to meet the needs of any mission.

Predominantly operating in tethered mode for prolonged situational awareness, Raptor can be quickly untethered and dispatched for free-flight ISR missions when triggered by an operator command, alarm, or onboard sensors. 

Once its mission is complete, the Raptor will autonomously return to its ground station for a precision landing.

Features of Easy Aerial Raptor

Features	Raptor
Weight	5.5 kg (12.12 lb) w/o payload
Payload	3.0 kg (6.6 lb)
Tethered Flight	Unlimited
Free Flight	45 minutes
Speed	100 km/h (62.13 mph)
Distance	20 km (12.4 miles)
Endurance	All Weather (Rain, Snow, Fog)

 

10. Inspired Flight IF800 Tomcat

IF800 | Source: Inspired Flight

Inspired Flight is a drone manufacturing company that was founded in 2017. The company is known for its high-performance drones that are designed for professional and industrial use. Inspired Flight drones are known for their powerful cameras, long flight times, and durability.

The Inspired Flight IF800 Tomcat is a medium-lift industrial-grade drone that is designed for a variety of commercial and government applications. 

It is the first NDAA-compliant industrial-grade drone to deliver a flight time of around 40 minutes while carrying some of the most popular high-resolution cameras and sensors out there.

The IF800 Tomcat can carry a payload of up to 3 kilograms, which is enough for a variety of popular cameras and sensors.

Features of IF800 Tomcat

Features	IF800 Tomcat
Diagonal Size (propeller center to center)	935 mm
Unfolded Size (flight ready, WxLxH)	135 x 116 x 45 cm
Empty Weight (w/o batteries)	3.5 kg
Weight w/ Batteries	7.7 kg
Max Payload Capacity	3.0 kg
Max Tilt Angle	30°
Operating Temperature	-10°C ~ 40°C
Flight Controller	CubePilot Cube Blue H7
Operating Software	Copter by Ardupilot
RTL	Auto returns to takeoff location and lands
Land	Auto land while maintaining horizontal position
Altitude Hold	Holds altitude only, failsafe mode if GPS signal lost

 

11. Skyhero Loki Mk II

Skyhero Loki Mk II | Source: Sky-Hero 

The SkyHero Loki Mk II is a small tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designed for close-quarters and indoor reconnaissance missions. It is ruggedized and can fly in dark and obstacle-rich environments. The Loki Mk II is also GPS-denied, meaning that it can operate in areas where GPS signals are not available.

Features of Loki Mk II

Features	Loki Mk II
Average speed	10m/s
Weight w/o battery	380gm
Payload max weight	150gm
Flight Endurance	15min
Operating Temperature	-20°C to 50°C
Basic Equipment	6-axis IMU, Barometer, Sonar, Optical Flow, EO/IR Camera, HD Mic, 4x IR LEDs

 

When considering the best U.S. drones that allow pilots to capture epic aerial video and flight autonomous missions for mapping deliverables, the list slims significantly.

Drone pilots ultimately want a portable, easy-to-use, and reliable drone.  

Few drone manufacturers have been able to deliver that package at a reasonable price point.  

Domestically developed drones have ended up costing drone pilots much higher amounts.  

Albeit the pivot to American-approved drones is here to stay. The barrier to entry has gone up, but that could mean higher pay days for drone pilots.

Choose the Best U.S. Drones

Choosing the perfect drone is easier with our recommendations based on your needs and operations:

• Parrot Anafi Ai: Ideal For Mapping Under $5,000
• Freefly Astro: Offers Creative Capabilities For Mapping
• Wingtra One: The Top Choice For Fixed-Wing Mapping
• Sams-T By Easy Aerial: A Reliable Security Drone

The Best US Drones for Mapping Under $5,000

Parrot Anafi Ai

Parrot Anafi Ai offers a powerful solution for drone mappers.  Dubbed the first 5G cellularly controlled drone, Parrot has significantly improved the Parrot Anafi platform.

The Parrot Anafi Ai looks completely different from the Parrot Anafi USA. The USA model is a significantly underpowered drone and has a very limited operating distance.

The Parrot Anafi Ai offers a 48MP camera sensor with an intuitive control application, making it easy for pilots to pick up the remote and get to work. 

The drone does offer mapping capability; as we noted in our review video, the drone can fly mapping (acquisition) missions faster, but processing data took much longer to complete due to the camera being an LRS shutter.

When compared against a Phantom 4 Pro Version 2, the Anafi Ai’s map took 2 hours more time to process data.  

If drone pilots are using cloud processing, the Parrot Anafi Ai does offer a speed advantage for completing orthomosaics over the network.  

Paired with Pix4d Cloud, maps can be produced as fast as the data is captured. The imagery is uploaded over the 5G network right to Pix4d Cloud.

We would also say the Parrot Anafi Ai is the best portable drone solution as well.

The Best US Mapping Drones with Creative Capability

FreeFly Astro | Source: Freefly

FreeFly Systems has developed an insanely powerful drone called the Astro.   

While the Astro is a medium-sized quadcopter, it has the capability of folding and flying a 61 MP Sony camera. Freefly’s Astro drone offers an impressive 37-minute flight time, autonomous mission capability, and payload flexibility.  

The Free Fly Astro operates on an Auterion Flight Controller.  It is by far one of our favorite drones to fly, as it has superior handling. 

Freefly Systems Astro is a great drone to consider for your enterprise operations. The Astro Mapper sells for $21,000.00 

A close competitor to the Freefly Astro drone is the Sony Airpeak Drone. Specially made for cinematographers.

The Best Fixed Wing Mapping Drone Made in the USA

Wingtra Gen II

The best fixed wing mapping drone has to go to the Wingtra One by Wingtra.

The fixed wing drone offers payload flexibility and advanced geo-referencing methods.

With the Wingtra Hub workflow, pilots actually require less equipment to create geo-referenced orthomosaics. 

Due to the flight characteristics of the Wingtra, the drone can map almost 400 acres per hour.  

Big projects call for big drones, and Wingtra delivers a reliable mapping drone that can get the job done.  The Wingtra can also fly multispectral cameras with multiple camera payload options.

The Best US Made Security Drone

The best American security drone hands down goes to Easy Aerial. Easy Aerial manufactures the SAMS-T platform. 

This drone-in-a-box solution offers one of the few tethered drone solutions that can ditch the tether and fly for up to 45 minutes. 

This drone can even be launched and recovered from a moving vehicle as well. It offers a powerful payload with thermal capabilities as well.

The SAMS-T system comes with the Easy Aerial Osprey drone, a multi-payload hexacopter. 

These hardcore drones offer the most robust profile of all the aircraft mentioned. 

To discover American approved drones and determine which ones best suit your needs, explore our Drone Guide available on our Props Public Safety Training page. 

Drone U Course Library includes courses on the Anafi Ai, and the Skydio S2, coming soon. Wingtra, Airpeak and Astro trainings. These same training are available on our Enterprise Training Platform –  PROPS.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are some examples of American consumer-oriented drones?

Several American drone manufacturers offer a range of products tailored for consumer use. Prominent examples include the Skydio 2 and the GoPro Karma Quadcopter.

These drones boast features like obstacle avoidance and portability, making them excellent choices for recreational purposes.

2. Are EXO drones produced in the United States?

No, EXO drones are not manufactured in the United States.

They are produced in collaboration with partners based in Hong Kong, while the company is legally owned, operated, and maintains warehousing within the United States.

3. Is DJI a U.S.  drone company?

DJI is not an American company; it is a Chinese manufacturer known for producing drones. For a significant period, DJI held a dominant position in the U.S. drone market.

The U.S. Department of Defense and numerous American lawmakers have raised concerns about DJI being a potential national security risk.

4. Who is the number 1 drone manufacturer?

DJI holds the position of the world’s leading drone manufacturer. With a global market share exceeding 70%, DJI is renowned for its combination of top-tier quality and affordability. DJI drones cater to a diverse clientele, spanning from individual consumers to professionals and various businesses. They serve a multitude of functions, encompassing aerial photography, videography, agricultural applications, construction, and public safety.