DJI’s new Matrice 400 drone is built for serious missions: 59-minute flights, 6 kg payloads, obstacle sensing sharp enough to dodge power lines, and a modular setup that’s endlessly versatile.
Let’s get one thing straight—this isn’t a drone you buy to film your next travel vlog or sneak a selfie on a mountain peak. The Matrice 400 is DJI’s new flagship for enterprise users, and it’s built for the big leagues: search and rescue, power grid inspections, massive mapping jobs, and more. In other words, it’s for people who fly drones for serious work—and need serious reliability.
But even if you’re not the one piloting this $10K+ machine, it’s hard not to geek out over what DJI’s managed to pack into this flying robot. Nearly an hour of flight time. A modular system that lets you strap on up to seven different payloads. Sensors that can spot high-voltage wires in the dark. This thing is a workhorse with a brain.
Here’s what makes it worth paying attention to.
It flies for almost an hour—and keeps going even in the cold
Drone pilots know that flight time is always a limiting factor. Most drones tap out around the 30-minute mark, especially if you’re hauling gear. The Matrice 400 changes the game with a max forward flight time of 59 minutes. Even with a payload, it can hover for 53 minutes—which is huge if you’re trying to cover a large site or finish a job without a battery swap.
Oh, and it doesn’t care if it’s -20°C or sweltering 50°C. This drone is IP55 rated, which means it’s protected against rain and dust, and it’ll power through extreme weather like it’s no big deal.
It can literally see power lines (and avoid them)
Obstacle avoidance isn’t new, but this is next-level. The Matrice 400 combines LiDAR, mmWave radar, and fisheye vision sensors to detect just about anything—from mountains and buildings to thin, hard-to-spot hazards like high-voltage power lines or the edges of a wind turbine blade. It can even detect them at night.
Even better, its fusion positioning system helps it return safely even when GPS data isn’t updated. Translation? It doesn’t get lost when things get weird. You can trust it to find its way back.
It’s got a 40 km eyesight and a built-in relay
Signal strength can make or break a drone mission, especially in remote areas or urban zones with obstructions. The Matrice 400 comes with DJI’s new O4 Enterprise Enhanced Video Transmission system. It can stream video up to 40 km away, and it features a built-in relay module that ensures footage remains uninterrupted even in challenging terrain or when encountering interference.
That means fewer surprises and more confidence mid-flight, especially when you’re working in real-world, less-than-perfect conditions.
It basically flies itself (But smarter than ever)
DJI has added some genuinely cool tools here. Smart Detection spots hazards and projects them onto your controller screen using AR overlays. One standout is Power Line AR, which visualizes obstacles as you approach—so you’re not flying blind, even in visually noisy environments.
In short, it’s a flying camera crew and site scout in one. Whether you’re surveying a construction site or scanning for damage on a tower, this drone’s built-in brain makes the work faster and safer.
Built to carry a full toolkit in the sky
Need to fly multiple cameras, sensors, or tools at once? No problem. The Matrice 400 supports up to seven payloads and can lift a total of 6 kg. It features four external E-Port V2 connectors, space for single or dual downward gimbals, and even a third gimbal slot if needed. Basically, if you can mount it, you can probably fly it.
It works seamlessly with DJI’s Zenmuse line (H30, L2, P1, S1, V1) and also supports third-party gear. That kind of flexibility is what makes it a fit for industries as diverse as agriculture, energy, public safety, and surveying.
Locked down for privacy and security
DJI understands that enterprise clients take data protection seriously. The Matrice 400 offers extensive privacy controls—including the option to disable photo/video sharing and prevent flight log syncing. If you need to go full blackout, Local Data Mode disconnects the app from the internet entirely.
In a world where data breaches are a constant concern, such a secure setup is crucial.
Ready for the field
The Matrice 400 is available now through DJI’s authorized enterprise dealers. It comes with optional protection plans like DJI Care Enterprise Plus, which covers accidental damage and other oh-no moments. Regional availability and terms vary, so check with your local distributor if you’re planning to deploy it for a job.
You can learn more at: enterprise.dji.com/matrice-400
Final thoughts
Even if you’ll never pilot one, the Matrice 400 is a fascinating look at where drone tech is heading—smarter, safer, more adaptable, and built to handle real-world chaos. This is a drone designed not for hobbyists, but for the people who build and protect the infrastructure we all rely on.
From its hour-long flight capability to its obstacle-detecting intelligence, the Matrice 400 isn’t flashy for the sake of it—it’s practical innovation, done right. It’s the kind of machine that makes big jobs easier, safer, and more efficient. And that’s worth celebrating.
So whether you’re a drone pro, a gear nerd, or just curious about what the future of aerial tech looks like, keep your eye on the Matrice 400. It’s setting a new benchmark for what drones can do when they’re built with purpose.