This morning, Chinese drone company DJI demonstrated its new AeroScope device that can track UAVs in a 5-kilometer radius. At the moment, it can only monitor the company's drones, but it's a potentially potent tool for law enforcement (or other DJI-authorized customers) to keep an eye on aerial activity within their radius. The AeroScope tracks drones via the radio transmission between them and their remote control. This gives the device everything it needs to know, from the UAV's location and speed to its registration or serial number, and even where it took off -- and its operator's position. DJI preempted questions about the AeroScope in a series of tweets, assuring that it couldn't take control of a drone, receive videos or photos from it or automatically transmit personally identifiable information.

WASHINGTON-- Some Americans could see a lot more drones flying around their communities as the result of a Trump administration test program to increase government and commercial use of the unmanned aircraft. President Donald Trump gave the go-ahead Wednesday, signing a directive intended to increase the number and complexity of drone flights. The presidential memo would allow exemptions from current safety rules so communities could move ahead with testing of drone operations. States, communities and tribes selected to participate would devise their own trial programs in partnership with government and industry drone users. The administration anticipates approving at least five applications, but there is no limit on the number of communities that can join.

President Trump and Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao announced the Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program today -- an initiative aimed at exploring expanded use of drones. While the Obama administration began allowing some drone activity to take place in US airspace, a fair amount of restrictions were still applicable. This new program, however, will allow companies and local governments to use drones in ways that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) currently doesn't allow. That includes "beyond-visual-line-of-sight flights, nighttime operations, and flights over people," as White House advisor Michael Kratsios said today. "This program supports the President's commitment to foster technological innovation that will be a catalyst for ideas that have the potential to change our day-to-day lives. Drones are proving to be especially valuable in emergency situations, including assessing damage from natural disasters such as the recent hurricanes and the wildfires in California," Secretary Chao said in a statement.

Americans could see a lot more drones flying around their communities as the result of a Trump administration test program to increase government and commercial use of the unmanned aircraft. President Trump gave the go-ahead Wednesday, signing a directive intended to increase the number and complexity of drone flights. The presidential memo would allow exemptions from current safety rules so communities could move ahead with testing of drone operations. States, communities and Native American tribes selected to participate would devise their own trial programs in partnership with government and industry drone users. The administration anticipates approving at least five applications, but there is no limit on the number of communities that can join.

Welcome to Essential Education, our daily look at education in California and beyond. L.A. Unified school board member Ref Rodriguez pled not guilty to campaign finance money laundering charges Tuesday. Rodriguez's pro-charter school allies on the board asked him to step down, but he said no. L.A. Unified school board member Ref Rodriguez pled not guilty to campaign finance money laundering charges Tuesday. Rodriguez's pro-charter school allies on the board asked him to step down, but he said no. Rodriguez won't budge, Michelle King's long leave, Caltech's new drone lab: What's new in education Ref Rodriguez's allies on the L.A. school board asked him to step down. He said no, shortly after pleading not guilty to felony and misdemeanor charges.

The Federal Aviation Administration would review each program. The agency would grant waivers if necessary -- to safety rules that now restrict drone operations. Examples include prohibitions on flights over people, nighttime flights and flights beyond the line of sight of the drone operator.

The applications of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or drones as they are commonly known are being explored across a wide gamut of industries. However, the demand for personal drones is declining as the initial enthusiasm over owning them has waned. Parrot, which is one of the biggest drone makers globally announced its latest range of drones, called the Parrot Professional, which will cater to the needs of farmers and firefighters. It has revealed two new models -- Parrot Bluegrass for agriculture and Parrot Bebop-Pro Thermal, for thermal imaging. The Bebop-Pro Thermal has a thermal imaging camera coupled with a regular video camera, which will track the sources of heat and help firefighters rescue people caught in burning buildings.

Russia is testing solar-powered drones that can fly for days at a time above the clouds. If the trial is successful the large glider-like drones could perform some of the same functions as today's space satellites. The model LA-252 Aist will be tested at a height of nine to 13 miles (15 - 21 kilometres) and can be used as a communication device, repeater and Wi-Fi transmitter. Russia is testing solar-powered drones that can fly for days at a time above the clouds. The large glider-like drones could perform some of the same functions as today's space satellites If the trial is successful the large glider-like drones could perform some of the same functions as today's space satellites.

Lockheed Martin's interest in a San Diego start-up shows how big aerospace companies are pushing the drone revolution out to sea. Lockheed Martin Ventures last month invested an undisclosed amount in San Diego-based Ocean Aero -- a 25-employee start-up that is developing the Submaran, a solar- and wind-powered ocean drone capable of operating above and below the surface. "The ability to be environmentally powered allows us to maneuver at great persistence because it's renewable," said Eric Patten, chief executive of Ocean Aero and a former Navy officer. "And then to be able to transition that vehicle from the surface to a sub-surface vehicle that has significant capability under water, that is truly unique." Lockheed Martin Venture typically invests $1 million to $5 million in young companies.

Analysts fear criminal groups will use explosive devices attached to drones to attack the U.S. (Reuters) Mexican police reportedly pulled over four men driving a stolen pick-up truck and discovered a drone carrying an explosive device in the vehicle, leading some analysts to fear drug cartels may have figured out how to arm the devices to attack opponents -- including those inside the United States. Federal police discovered the drone attached to the IED last week during a traffic stop in Guanajunto, where several cartels are known to operate, including the Sinaloa Cartel, Small Wars Journal reported. Besides the drone, police found phones, an AK-47 and ammunition. An improvised explosive device was taped to the drone, 3Dr Solo Quadcopter, that could reportedly be detonated with a remote control. It was not clear if the four men were a part of any criminal group.