Parrot to defend the eagle

As part of the US Army‘s ongoing efforts to identify and prototype new drone capabilities with commercial companies, Parrot will be developing the next generation of small-unit surveillance drones for the Department of Defense. Parrot, the leading European drone company, has a patent portfolio that focuses on managing the navigation, flight control, and communications of drones, and continues to grow with constant filings for over a decade. This news highlights two important trends in the industry. One, the governments of the US and other countries are partnering with private companies in order to rapidly develop drone technology for military applications. Two, Chinese companies are losing opportunities for major foreign government contracts as a result of recent political tensions between the US and China. Although DJI is one of the largest drone makers and holds one of the most expansive patent portfolios in this sector, it was not among the six companies noted by the US Army.