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From DJI to NDAA: Burgett’s Top Picks for DJI Alternatives in 2025

Updated: 6 days ago

I just returned from the 2025 AUVSI Xponential conference, where I met with hundreds of vendors in search of viable NDAA-compliant replacements for DJI drones. As many of you know, DJI and Autel may be restricted from U.S. sales by the end of this year, which puts pressure on government and enterprise programs to find alternatives. My mission was to identify secure, proven systems that could step into the roles currently filled by the Mavic 3E, Mavic 3T, Matrice 30T, and Matrice 350. Here is what I learned!


 

Skydio X10

Skydio’s X10 combines cutting-edge autonomy with modular payloads, making it ideal for detailed inspections and tactical public safety use. The AI-powered obstacle avoidance system is best in class, and its telephoto and thermal capabilities rival DJI’s M30T. However, it’s a premium-priced platform and lacks a mechanical shutter, which may limit its photogrammetry performance (Skydio).


Key Specs:

  • Base Cost: $11.5K–$25K (depends on sensor package)

  • Sensors: Interchangeable; 64 MP telephoto, 50 MP wide, 640×512 thermal (Skydio).

  • RGB Shutter: Electronic

  • Thermal Resolution: 640×512

  • Waypoint Missions: Yes

  • Mission Planning: Controller or Skydio Cloud

  • Flight Time: 30–40 min

  • Batteries Included: 1–2 (not hot-swappable)

  • Closest DJI Equivalent: Matrice 30T

  • Best Use Cases: Bridge inspection, public safety, search & rescue

WISPR SkyScout Pro

The SkyScout Pro is a modular, American-made drone that offers high flexibility in sensor choice, including mapping-grade RGB, thermal, and specialty payloads. It's rugged, affordable, and supports open mission planning software. The build quality is solid, though not as refined as premium enterprise systems (WISPR Systems).


Key Specs:

  • Base Cost: ~$10K (drone only; sensors sold separately)

  • Sensors: Interchangeable; 20 MP mech shutter, 61 MP full-frame RGB, 640×512 thermal

  • RGB Shutter: Mechanical or electronic

  • Thermal Resolution: 640×512

  • Waypoint Missions: Yes

  • Mission Planning: Controller and PC (QGroundControl)

  • Flight Time: 26–30 min

  • Batteries Included: 2 (hot-swappable)

  • Closest DJI Equivalent: Mavic 3E or Matrice 30T

  • Best Use Cases: Mapping, infrastructure inspection, SAR


Freefly Astro

Freefly’s Astro is built for precision imaging, with payload options including a 61 MP full-frame mapping camera, multispectral sensors, thermal, and LiDAR. It’s a high-end platform with excellent build quality and autonomy via Auterion, though its price and complexity make it best suited for experienced professionals (Freefly).


Key Specs:

  • Base Cost: $20K–$30K (with 61 MP payload)

  • Sensors: Interchangeable; 61 MP RGB, multispectral, thermal, LiDAR (Freefly Payload Options)

  • RGB Shutter: Electronic/global

  • Thermal Resolution: Up to 640×512 (sensor-dependent)

  • Waypoint Missions: Yes

  • Mission Planning: Controller or PC via Auterion (Anterion)

  • Flight Time: 25–30 min (with payload)

  • Batteries Included: 4 (2 per flight)

  • Closest DJI Equivalent: Matrice 350 RTK

  • Best Use Cases: High-res mapping, LiDAR scanning, professional inspection



ACSL Soten

The ACSL Soten is a compact, foldable drone developed in Japan with secure data handling and hot-swappable camera modules. It's a capable alternative to the Mavic 3E and 3T, especially for agencies seeking mapping and inspection capabilities in a portable, NDAA-compliant airframe (ACSL).


Key Specs:

  • Base Cost: <$10K (includes 20 MP RGB camera)

  • Sensors: Swappable; RGB, 640×512 thermal, multispectral

  • RGB Shutter: Mechanical

  • Thermal Resolution: 640×512

  • Waypoint Missions: Yes

  • Mission Planning: Controller app (SDK available)

  • Flight Time: ~25 min

  • Batteries Included: 1–2

  • Closest DJI Equivalent: Mavic 3E or Mavic 3T

  • Best Use Cases: Surveying, infrastructure inspection, entry-level public safety



Teledyne FLIR SIRAS

SIRAS is a dual-purpose drone built by FLIR, combining thermal and RGB imaging into a single unit at a competitive price point. While not modular, it’s well-suited for fire departments, law enforcement, and industrial inspection teams that need radiometric thermal imaging without cloud dependency (Teledyne FLIR).


Key Specs:

  • Base Cost: ~$9.7K (includes dual RGB + thermal sensor)

  • Sensors: Fixed; 16 MP RGB, 640×512 thermal

  • RGB Shutter: Electronic

  • Thermal Resolution: 640×512

  • Waypoint Missions: Yes

  • Mission Planning: Controller interface or third-party apps

  • Flight Time: 25–31 min

  • Batteries Included: 2 (hot-swappable)

  • Closest DJI Equivalent: Mavic 3T

  • Best Use Cases: Firefighting, law enforcement, solar and roof inspections



Inspired Flight IF 800 Tomcat

The IF800 Tomcat is a rugged, U.S.-made quadcopter built to replace the DJI Matrice 350 in demanding commercial and government operations. It supports a wide range of modular payloads and excels in mapping, inspection, and public safety missions. With long flight times, hot-swappable batteries, and Blue UAS approval, it’s a strong fit for NDAA-compliant programs.


Key Specs:

  • Base Cost: ~$21.5K (no payload included)

  • Sensors: Interchangeable; 61 MP or 65 MP RGB, LiDAR, 640×512 thermal

  • RGB Shutter: Global or mechanical (sensor-dependent)

  • Thermal Resolution: Up to 640×512 (radiometric)

  • Waypoint Missions: Yes

  • Mission Planning: Controller or PC (QGroundControl)

  • Flight Time: 40–54 min

  • Batteries Included: 2 (hot-swappable)

  • Closest DJI Equivalent: Matrice 350 RTK

  • Best Use Cases: High-end mapping, infrastructure inspection, government and defense operations


Ascent AeroSystems Spirit

The Spirit stands out with its coaxial, all-weather design. Compact and extremely rugged, it’s tailored for defense, public safety, and industrial inspection in extreme conditions. It doesn’t support photogrammetry, but excels in mission-critical deployments where durability and flight time matter most (Ascent AeroSystems).


Key Specs:

  • Base Cost: ~$16K; payloads extra

  • Sensors: Swappable; EO/IR, gas sensors, mapping cameras

  • RGB Shutter: Varies by payload

  • Thermal Resolution: Up to 1280×720 (with Raptor gimbal) (NextVision Sensors)

  • Waypoint Missions: Yes

  • Mission Planning: Controller or PC (PX4/QGroundControl)

  • Flight Time: 32–53 min depending on config

  • Batteries Included: 1–2 (not hot-swappable)

  • Closest DJI Equivalent: Matrice 350

  • Best Use Cases: High-wind, all-weather ops, tactical response, special operations


Frontier Precision

I’d like to extend a special thanks to Frontier Precision for their invaluable support and expertise during my evaluation of NDAA-compliant drones. With over 36 years of experience, Frontier Precision is a trusted, employee-owned company providing cutting-edge unmanned solutions across industries like geospatial, public safety, construction, and agriculture. Their commitment to delivering tailored UAS technology, training, and support has been instrumental in helping professionals adopt secure, mission-ready drone platforms.


Final Thoughts

If your agency is exploring NDAA-compliant options, now is the time to test, budget, and prepare for the transition. Each of these platforms offers a secure and capable alternative to DJI. Whether your focus is mapping, public safety, or industrial inspection, there’s a viable path forward. While no platform perfectly replicates DJI’s blend of performance and price, these systems are credible, available now, and many are Blue UAS approved or on the path.



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