Skyfish’s Osprey Drone Takes Aim at DJI’s Dominance

A Montana-Made Powerhouse for Infrastructure and ISR

At AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2025 (Booth #3812), Skyfish unveiled the Osprey, a rugged U.S.-built drone designed to challenge DJI’s stronghold in commercial and defense markets. Launched on May 20, 2025, the backpack-portable system targets sectors craving domestic alternatives—telecom, energy, and public safety—with a blend of endurance, precision, and modularity.

“The Osprey isn’t just another DJI clone—it’s lighter, flies longer, and works with the best sensors on the market,” says Skyfish CEO Dr. Orest Pilskalns. “We’re delivering what the M30 and M300 promised but couldn’t execute without supply chain or compliance headaches.”

Weighing roughly 13 lbs, the Osprey boasts a 50+ minute flight time and a 3–5 mile radio range, outpacing many competitors in its class. Its real edge, though, lies in sensor flexibility: the drone supports high-end payloads like Sony’s 61MP LR1 camera and NextVision’s Raptor EO/IR system, paired with RTK GPS for centimeter-level accuracy. Automated geotagging streamlines post-processing, critical for time-sensitive inspections.

Precision Meets Compliance

Skyfish optimized the Osprey for infrastructure inspection and ISR, with a staggering 1/32-inch measurement accuracy for 3D modeling—ideal for digital twins of cell towers, bridges, and wind turbines. The drone’s NDAA compliance and Montana manufacturing address growing federal and corporate mandates against foreign-made hardware. It’s already cleared U.S. Army DEVCOM Airworthiness Level 3 certification, with Green UAS approval pending.

Early adopters include utilities inspecting power lines and airports monitoring runway conditions. One beta tester, a telecom engineer, noted the Osprey cut tower inspection times by 40% compared to DJI’s M300. Meanwhile, public safety teams praise its rapid deployment for search-and-rescue ops in rugged terrain.

“DJI’s shadow looms large, but the Osprey proves American innovation isn’t dead—it’s just been waiting for the right moment to take flight,” says an industry analyst at XPONENTIAL.

With pre-orders open and deliveries slated for Q3 2025, Skyfish’s bet hinges on a simple pitch: a drone that’s as reliable as it is patriotic. Whether that’s enough to dethrone DJI remains to be seen, but for now, the Osprey soars as a formidable contender.