French drone maker Parrot selected to develop spy aircraft for the US military
Parrot, a longtime competitor to Chinese drone giant DJI, is one of six companies selected by the US Department of Defense to build short-range reconnaissance aircraft for the American military. The deal, which includes five other companies but not DJI, represents a strategic front between the US and European commercial entities, like Parrot, in the face of increasing dominance from Chinese companies.
DJI is far and away the world’s largest and most popular drone maker, with Parrot and other smaller companies like 3D Robotics and fellow Chinese firm Yuneec existing in DJI’s shadow for years. (3D Robotics has since exited the drone hardware market, while GoPro’s short-lived Karma effort ended in failure.) But with increasing pressure...