Utilities are increasingly exploring larger UAS (Group 2 to 4) to improve safety, reduce hazardous field exposure, and scale autonomous data collection. This article provides a pragmatic look at the pros and cons of advanced UAS adoption, business case realities, and the primary FAA regulatory pathways, including Section 44807, 14 CFR 91.113(b), Part 91 Public Aircraft Operations, and the future of Part 108.

The utility and critical-infrastructure landscape underwent major shifts in 2025, with operators demanding clearer performance and measurable results from aviation technologies. Tactien’s 2025 Year-End Review breaks down the key industry trends, accomplishments, and predictions shaping the future of UAS, manned aviation, SAAS workflows, and infrastructure operations heading into 2026.

sUAS-based RFID technology for near real-time (nRT) asset tracking  Introduction Utility operations face a common challenge: asset...

Some of the largest UAS-focused (or integrated) drone initiatives are coming from the critical infrastructure sector. The Tactien team...

TACTIEN (TACT-tee-in) Latin:       To approach with a tactical or methodical mindset. The commercial UAS industry has matured in ways...