DJI has unveiled the Matrice 5T, an enterprise drone built for search and rescue, emergency response, and demanding inspection work.
A high-resolution thermal camera and enhanced night vision let operators scan hard-to-reach areas, even where visibility is severely limited.
With up to 59 minutes of flight time, improved obstacle avoidance, and a longer communication range, the Matrice 5T is also equipped for missions across rugged terrain.
1K Thermal Imaging and Night Vision Sharpen Search Capabilities
The Matrice 5T’s thermal camera has a native resolution of 1280 × 1024, which packs four times as many pixels as conventional 640 × 512 sensors. An ultra-high-resolution infrared mode pushes output to 2560 × 2048, giving operators finer detail when examining heat patterns.
That extra detail could prove especially valuable in search-and-rescue operations, where spotting people in darkness or on difficult terrain remains a challenge.
For low-light photography, the wide-angle camera pairs a 1/0.98-inch sensor and an f/1.8 aperture with AI enhancements.
DJI claims the system can capture full-color images in lighting as dim as 0.01 lux, an extremely dark operating environment.
The drone also carries a 50 MP medium telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom, suited to inspecting infrastructure and distant objects.
A second telephoto camera adds 11x optical zoom, 176x hybrid zoom, and monochrome night vision, letting operators read license plates from up to 400 meters away.
Obstacle detection gets the same level of attention, with LiDAR, millimeter-wave radar, and omnidirectional visual sensors working together.
The LiDAR system can pick out thin obstacles such as power lines from up to 32 meters away during nighttime flights.
Radar helps detect surrounding objects when fog, rain, or airborne dust interfere with conventional visual sensing.
Combined visual and radar data also supports navigation in areas where satellite positioning signals are weak or unreliable.
Long-Range Transmission, Onboard AI, and Automated Inspections
DJI has also upgraded communications with its O4 Enterprise system, which supports transmission distances of up to 40km. Automatic frequency switching helps maintain connections amid urban interference, while cellular connectivity and relay configurations improve coverage around physical obstructions.
For search operations across difficult landscapes, these features could help crews receive aerial footage from greater distances without relying entirely on a direct connection. The aircraft can also coordinate relays between multiple drones when terrain blocks conventional transmission paths.
Its onboard AI can identify more than 20 object categories by analyzing thermal and conventional camera feeds simultaneously. Operators connected to DJI FlightHub 2 can search for objects using written descriptions or reference images, then set up automated patrol routes with customized actions.
For surveying, DJI Terra supports centimeter-level measurements without ground control points under specified conditions. The software can also generate thermal maps, measure temperatures, and flag abnormal heat patterns during inspections of solar installations and electrical infrastructure.
DJI says the remote controller can process 200 photographs within eight minutes, generating point clouds or 2.5D models for field assessments. The aircraft also supports automated inspection routes, moving vessel takeoffs, and landings on designated ship deck markings.
The Matrice 5T carries an IP55 rating and operates between -20°C and 50°C, although actual endurance depends on operating conditions. DJI also offers enterprise protection packages covering repairs, annual battery replacement, flyaway incidents, and additional warranty support.
The Matrice 5T is now available through authorized DJI Enterprise dealers, and interested buyers can contact local distributors for pricing and availability.
