The District of Columbia is infamous for some of the political issues that make it distinct from other areas of the country. Its residents only have a non-voting delegate in Congress, for example. And its crippled subway system is uniquely hobbled by the fact that it relies on money from Maryland and Virginia, not just funding from riders and D.C.'s government. So it's no surprise to learn that not long from now, D.C. residents may be able to add drone delivery to their "left out on" list. Many online shoppers are waiting eagerly for the day that they'll be able to order something on Amazon.com and have it dropped off, via drone, on their front stoop.

The Federal Aviation Administration is predicting a bright future for the growth of the commercial and hobbyist drone industries after final regulations are approved. In an aerospace forecast report released Thursday, the FAA said unmanned aircraft systems will be the "most dynamic growth sector within aviation." It noted that venture capitalists have already sunk "considerable" funds into the industry in hopes of building early market share. Already, the FAA predicted that 1.9 million hobbyist drones will be sold this year, along with more than 600,000 commercial drones. The FAA predicts that 4.3 million hobbyist drones could be sold per year by 2020.

While it looks nothing more than an unassuming quadcopter, Stanford's SCAMP (Stanford Climbing and Aerial Maneuvering Platform) has a lot more tricks up it sleeve--this drone can not only fly, it can also perch, and climb on walls. SCAMP basically takes everything the Biomimetics and Dexterous Manipulation Lab has learned from previous projects, such as the Stickybot (which mimics the gecko's wall climbing capability), to create this new drone. The team modified the climbing technology applied on the Stickybot so that SCAMP could climb faster. To achieve SCAMP's current maneuverability, they ensured it could take longer steps and added microspines to its feet--similar to what a praying mantis has. To achieve its ability to perch, the climbing mechanism for the machine was placed on top of the quadrotor, which allows it to press against surfaces for better stability.

This is the latest version of a popular drone brand. Right now, there are around 2.5 million drones that regularly fly over American skies, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. In 2020, that number could almost triple, with 7 million drones projected to be active in the skies over our heads, according to a new report) released by the agency today. Of the drones currently buzzing around, they're split between roughly 1.5 million hobbyist drones and 500,000 commercial (the later being flown by companies for moneymaking purposes). But as that number increases, it will shape U.S. aerospace for decades to come.

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced Friday that Moscow will deploy a range of missile systems on the Kuril islands, claimed by Japan, as part of its military build-up in the far-eastern region, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reported. The islands have been a reason of tense relations between Moscow and Tokyo. "The planned rearmament of contingents and military bases on Kuril islands is under way. Already this year they will get Bal and Bastion coastal missile systems as well as new-generation Eleron-3 unmanned aerial vehicles," Shoigu said during a ministry meeting, AFP reported. Russia has been investing in military infrastructure on the Kuril islands, which Japan considers its territory, leading to strained relations between the two nations.

America will have 2.5 million drones by the end of this year and the number will increase to seven million by 2020, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a report release Thursday. While the number of hobby drones is expected to reach from 1.9 million in 2016 to 4.3 million by 2020, commercial drones will see a four times rise from 600,000 to 2.7 million in 4 years. "Unmanned aircraft systems will be the most dynamic growth sector within aviation," the agency said in the report. But it also added that future security and regulatory measures by the U.S. government will be deciding factor on the way civilian drone market grows. In December, the FAA brought in set of rules which stated that registration of small unmanned aircraft weighing more than 0.55 pounds and less than 55 pounds, including payloads such as on-board cameras, was necessary.

And thanks to videographer Chad Aaronson--who captured breathtaking drone footage of the graveyard--we now have a unique view of this piece of eerie, forgotten New York. The slow creep of the camera reveals rusted ships littered with debris, in various states of sunkenness.

Drones are experiencing something of an arms race for aerial domination. As fast as the technology develops to make the unmanned vehicles better in the air, new ways are being developed to take them down. Video footage has emerged of a soldier in the US using a'cyber rifle' to take down a drone, causing it to lose power instantly in flight before falling out of the air. Video footage has emerged of a US soldier using a'cyber rifle' to take down a drone, causing it to lose power instantly in flight and fall out of the air (still pictured). The cyber-rifle is built by the Army Cyber Institute at West Point in the US, and was tested in front of the US Secretary for Defense, Ash Carter.

Secretary of Defense Ash Carter is just out of frame on the right side of the screen. As soon as it was airborne, the drone flying inside West Point crashed to the ground at the feet of Secretary of Defense Ash Carter. The soldier responsible for the drone's demise gently lowered the weapon, no smoke wafting from its barrel, not even a sound made with the shot. Built by the Army Cyber Institute at West Point, the rifle was demonstrated last fall at the Association of the United States Army exposition in Washington, DC. Unlike pretty much every other variety of gun, this rifle doesn't shoot any projectiles.

Drone maker DJI's latest release, the Phantom 4, makes it easier than ever to capture beautiful aerial photos and videos. But the Chinese firm is working on ways to make the process simpler still. The company is currently building a set of automatic camera maneuvers that could allow Phantom 4 owners to nail complex shots by just pushing a button. "A lot of people, what they'll do is they'll fly around and their first shots aren't that great because they're getting used to it," says Pan. The feature would allow Phantom 4 owners to choose from a selection of camera maneuvers that the drone would be able to execute on its own.