New American drones offer longer flight, bigger payload than DJI

A Silicon Valley drone startup just stepped out of stealth mode — and it’s coming straight for DJI’s throne.

Santa Clara-based SiFly has unveiled two powerful new drones that promise to do what DJI’s commercial lineup can’t: fly longer, carry more, and meet US government security standards. With flight endurance up to four times greater and range 10 times farther than standard drones, SiFly’s Q12 and Q250 could become the go-to platforms for industries and public safety departments looking for alternatives to Chinese-made drones.

Both platforms are NDAA-compliant, making them eligible for government and defense-related contracts — a growing concern as US lawmakers push to limit DJI’s role in sensitive drone operations.

Leading the lineup is the SiFly Q12 (above), which offers an astonishing two-hour hover time and up to three hours in forward flight. That’s a 90-mile operational range while carrying a 10-pound payload — perfect for critical Beyond Visual Line-of-Sight (BVLOS) missions like infrastructure inspection and emergency response.

But the real game-changer may be the Q250 (below): a heavy-lift drone capable of carrying 200 pounds for over 90 minutes. SiFly says this drone can replace helicopters in roles like agricultural spraying, fire suppression, and remote logistics — all at a fraction of the cost.

“Commercial drones have long forced organizations to trade off between flight duration, payload capacity, and operational range,” says SiFly founder and CEO Brian Hinman. “We eliminated those trade-offs. SiFly drones are transforming emergency response, infrastructure inspection, and logistics — delivering helicopter-class performance at drone economics.”

Unlike DJI drones, which typically require multiple batteries and have strict limits on range due to regulatory and power constraints, SiFly’s drones are purpose-built for long-endurance missions — all while staying tethered to a cloud-based AI system for real-time data delivery. In testing with Amaral Ranches in California’s Salinas Valley, the Q12 successfully delivered live agricultural insights using onboard AI and connected data streams.

The company is also pushing its drones as the future of Drone-as-First-Responder (DFR) programs. Because of their long flight times, SiFly drones can cover more ground without relying on expensive and complex dock networks — reducing DFR operational costs by over 90% per square mile, according to the company.

Deliveries of the Q12 will begin in Q4 2025. In the meantime, SiFly is actively demonstrating its drones to public agencies and private firms across the US, with major strategic partnerships expected to be announced soon.

Founded in 2021, SiFly is led by Hinman, a seasoned tech entrepreneur behind companies like Polycom and Mimosa. He’s joined by Logan Jones, former head of Boeing’s HorizonX venture capital group.

With DJI facing rising political pressure and potential US bans, SiFly’s timing couldn’t be better. For buyers looking for a high-performance, American-made alternative, these two new drones may be the answer.

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