DJI Phantom. The DJI Phantom () is a series of quadcopter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) developed by Chinese technology company DJI.

Design and development 

The Phantom 1, originally known as the Phantom, was released on January 7, 2013.  It uses 2.4 GHz for control and is powered by a 2000mAh battery, giving it a flight time of about 15 minutes.  It did not include a built-in camera, but it can be fitted with an optional mount for a GoPro HERO camera.  The drone uses a GPS-enabled NAZA-M autopilot system allowing it to hover with automatic wind resistance.

After the success of the Phantom 2 Vision, DJI released a camera-equipped version of the Phantom 1 as the Phantom FC40.  The drone features a FC40 camera on a fixed mount capable of capturing 720p video at 30 FPS.  The aircraft uses 5.8 GHz for control allowing the 2.4 GHz band to be allocated for FPV downlink.  It uses an iOS/Android app for control and comes with Wi-Fi and GPS modules.  Using a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection, it provides almost real-time aerial video on a mobile device, allowing the pilot to capture images and videos as is.  The camera angle is manually set before each flight.

Phantom 2 series 

Released in October 2013, the Phantom 2 Vision was the first model to feature a built-in camera.  The camera is mounted on a one-dimensional gimbal and is capable of recording 1080p video at either 30 or 60 FPS or taking 14-megapixel stills onto a microSD card.  The motorized gimbal gives the camera 60 degrees of vertical motion.  The drone also features a Wi-Fi module, a GPS-enabled position holding, return-to-home capability, a Naza-M flight control system, and self-tightening propellers.  The drone connects to iOS or Android devices via an app, allowing the operator to control the camera and view flight data.  Battery capacity was increased to 5200mAh, giving the drone a flight time of 25 minutes.

The Phantom 2 was released in December 2013 as a camera-less version of the Phantom 2 Vision.  Although it did not include a built-in camera gimbal, an optional two-axis Zenmuse H3-2D gimbal was made available to mount a GoPro HERO3 camera.

Released in April 2014, the Phantom 2 Vision+ replaced the Vision's single-axis gimbal with a self-stabilizing three-axis unit.  The gimbal mounts a redesigned camera with the same specifications as the Vision and has 90 degrees of vertical tilt, allowing the Vision+ to point the camera straight down.  An upgraded version was released in late-2014 as the Phantom 2 Vision+ V3.0 with more powerful motors and electronic speed controllers (ESC), Model 9450 propellers, and an improved compass module.

Phantom 3 series 

In April 2015, DJI released the first two third-generation Phantom models; the Phantom 3 Professional and Phantom 3 Advanced.  The Phantom 3 introduced a visual positioning system, allowing it to hold its position without GPS.  The drone uses a Lightbridge video transmission system, replacing the Wi-Fi system of previous models.  Both models feature a Sony Exmor 1/2.3" camera, with the Professional being capable of shooting 4K video at 30 FPS while the Advanced is limited to 2.7K video.  Both models are also capable of shooting 1080p video at 60FPS, use GPS and GLONASS for navigation, and are powered by a 4480mAh battery, giving them a flight time of approximately 23 minutes.

The Phantom 3 Standard was released in August 2015 as a cheaper alternative to the Advanced and Professional.  Like the previous models, the Standard features a 1/2.3" camera, which is capable of shooting both 2.7K and 1080p video at 30 FPS as well as 720p video at 60 FPS.  Unlike the other models, Standard retains the Wi-Fi transmission system and lacks the vision positioning system as well as GLONASS compatibility.

The Phantom 3 4K was released in January 2016.  Similar to the Standard, the Phantom 3 4K is uses a Wi-Fi video transmission system, but is also fitted with the visual positioning system and 4K Sony Exmor camera of the Professional.

The Phantom 3 SE was originally released exclusively in China in early March 2017, though a worldwide release came in August of that year to select markets.  An improved version of the Phantom 3 4K, the SE's video transmission system was upgraded to transmit live 720p video to the controller, up from the 4K's 480p live video.  The drone's range was also increased from  to , though this is restricted in some markets.  The SE uses the same 4480mAh battery as previous models, though flight time was slightly increased to 25 minutes.

Phantom 4 series 

The Phantom 4, released in March 2016, introduced a new outer shell design as well as a push-and-release propeller locking mechanism.  An obstacle avoidance system was added, which uses a four cameras (two facing forward and two downward) and an ultrasonic sensor.  The drone also introduced the ActiveTrack and TapFly features, with the former allowing the drone to autonomously track moving objects, including people, with its camera while the latter allowing the drone to be controlled by tapping on the video stream in the DJI app.  The drone is equipped with a 1/2.3" camera with an electronic shutter capable of shooting 4K video at 30 FPS or 1080p video at 120 FPS, while a new 5350mAh battery gives it a flight time of approximately 28 minutes.

The Phantom 4 Pro was released in November 2016 with a new 20-megapixel Exmor R camera featuring a  CMOS sensor.  The obstacle avoidance system was also upgraded rearward-facing sensors as well as infrared sensors on both sides.  The Phantom 4 Pro+, offered alongside the Pro, features a controller with a 5.5-inch screen and an integrated flight app, allowing it to be flown without a separate mobile device.  The Pro uses Model 9450S propellers and is powered by a 5870mAh battery, giving it a fight time of approximately 30 minutes.  During the 2017 IFA Berlin trade show, DJI announced a new version of the Pro/Pro+ as the Phantom 4 Pro Obsidian and Pro+ Obsidian, respectively.  The Pro/Pro+ Obsidian is largely identical to the baseline Pro/Pro+, differing only in that both the drone and remote have a matte black color and that the camera and gimbal are made of magnesium and have an electroplated anti-fingerprint coating.

The Phantom 4 Advanced was announced on 13 April 2017 as a replacement for the Phantom 4.  The drone features an upgraded camera with a 1-ingh CMOS sensor and a mechanical shutter, capable of shooting 4K video at 60 FPS.  The drone is capable of processing H.264 video at 60 FPS and H.265 video at 30 FPS.  Like the Pro, the Advanced was also offered with a controller with a 5.5-inch screen as the Phantom 4 Advanced+.

In May 2018, DJI quietly released an upgraded version of the Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+ as the Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+ V2.0.  The Pro V2.0 retains the camera of the Pro, but features an OcuSync transmission system, improved ESCs, and Model 9455S low-noise propellers which are backwards compatible with the original Pro.  Production of the Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 was suspended in late 2018 or early 2019 due to what DJI called "a shortage of parts from a supplier", though DJI denied rumors that the Phantom was being discontinued.  Production was restarted in January 2020 after the supply issue was sorted out.

Released in October 2018, the Phantom 4 RTK was designed for aerial mapping and surveying.  Based on the Pro, the Phantom 4 RTK added a real-time kinematic (RTK) positioning module capable of connecting to GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou satellites.  In addition to RTK, it uses a redundant GNSS module, installed to maintain flight stability in regions with poor signal.  The drone is fitted with an FC6310R camera, which is identical to the Exmor R camera of the Phantom 4 Pro but with a glass lens instead a plastic one.  The Phantom 4 RTK records images only in JPEG format and videos in MOV format.

An agricultural model of the Phantom 4 was announced on 25 September 2019 as the P4 Multispectral, dropping the Phantom name.  Based on the Phantom 4 RTK, the P4 Multispectral integrates a six-sensor camera array, which includes an RGB camera and five narrow-band sensors, being the first drone to do so.  The P4 Multispectral uses Model 9455S low-noise propellers as standard, though standard Phantom 4 propellers are also compatible at the cost of reduced performance.  Battery capacity remained at 5870mAh, but flight time was slightly reduced to approximately 27 minutes.

Details of a replacement for the Phantom 4 RTK were leaked in March 2022 as the Phantom 4 RTK SE.  The leak did not reveal any significant changes between the RTK and RTK SE, but did note that the latter would not include an Intelligent Flight Battery charger and that the power cord wattage would be reduced from 160W to 100W.  The Phantom 4 RTK SE was listed for sale on the DJI website as late as January 2023.

In 2018, leaked photos of silver-colored Phantom drones circulated, with the drones speculated to be prototypes of a Phantom 5 variant.  However, DJI denied that the photos were of Phantom 5 prototypes, stating that they were a one-off order for a customer.  In April 2019, rumors circulated that the planned replacement for the Phantom 4 series, the Phantom 5, had been canceled, with the project manager being reassigned to another device.  These rumors were also denied by DJI, with the company's communications director Adam Lisberg stating "As for the Phantom 5 rumors, we’ve never said we considered making a Phantom 5 in the first place, so there’s nothing to cancel."  Instead of continuing the Phantom series, DJI replaced the Phantom 4 Pro with the Mavic 3 Pro.

Operational history 

The DJI Phantom series has been popular with hobbyists and enterprise users due to its functionality and price point.  Phantom drones have been marketed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) for several years.  The Phantom has been used for drone journalism, hurricane hunting, 3-D landscape mapping, nature protection, farming, search and rescue, aircraft inspection, tornado chasing, and lava lake exploration.  The Fox Broadcasting Company also used Phantom 2 Vision+'s to promote 24 during San Diego Comic-Con in 2014.

The Phantom has been used by ISIS in Syria and Iraq to scout for battle planning and conduct aerial bombing by dropping small explosives on enemy troops, with at least one ISIS supporter posting instructions on a forum to on how to operate the drone for military use.  In the summer of 2014, ISIS shot footage of a Syrian airbase in Tabqa with a Phantom FC40.  The People's Defense Units reportedly shot down several ISIS Phantoms in Kobani in December 2014.

Despite US sanctions on DJI, the FBI has continued to order the Phantom 4 Pro as late as 2021, citing in a procurement justification that "the DJI P4P is the only commercially available consumer sUAV to combine ease of use, high camera resolution and obstacle avoidance at an acceptable cost."

Variants

Phantom 1 

Phantom
Later Phantom 1, company designation Model P330.  Original variant with a NAZA-M autopilot system, 2.4 GHz control frequency, and a 2000mAh battery giving it a flight time of approximately 15 minutes.  Released on January 7, 2013.
Phantom FC40
Company designation Model P330D.  As the Phantom but with 5.8 GHz control frequency and a built-in FC40 camera mounted on a ground-adjustable gimbal.

Phantom 2 

Phantom 2 Vision
Original Phantom 2 variant with a camera mounted on a one-axis gimbal 60 degrees of vertical motion and a 5200mAh battery giving it a flight time of 25 minutes.  Released in October 2013.
Phantom 2
Company designation Model P330Z.  As Phantom 2 Vision but with the camera and gimbal removed.  A removable two-axis Zenmuse H3-2D gimbal was available as an option, capable of mounting a GoPro HERO3 camera.  Released in December 2013.
Phantom 2 Vision+
Also known as the Phantom 2 Vision+ V2.0, company designation Model PV331.  As Phantom 2 Vision but with a redesigned camera mounted on a self-stabilizing three-axis gimbal with 90 degrees of vertical motion.  Released in April 2014.
Phantom 2 Vision+ V3.0
Upgraded Phantom 2 Vision+ with more powerful motors and electronic speed controllers (ESC), Model 9450 propellers, and an improved compass module.  Released in late-2014.

Phantom 3 
Phantom 3 Advanced
Company designation Model W322, W322A, and W322B.  First Phantom 3 variant with a Sony Exmor 1/2.3" camera limited to 2.7K video at 30 FPS, a visual positioning system, a Lightbridge video transmission system, GPS and GLONASS navigation, and a 4480mAh battery giving it a flight time of approximately 23 minutes.  Released alongside the Professional in April 2015.
Phantom 3 Professional
Company designation Model W323, W323A, and W323B.  As Phantom 3 Advanced but with Sony Exmor 1/2.3" camera capable of shooting 4K video at 30 FPS.  Released alongside the Advanced in April 2015.
Phantom 3 Standard
Company designation Model W321.  As Advanced/Professional but with a Wi-Fi video transmission system, the camera limited to 2.7K and 1080p video at 30 FPS, and without the vision positioning system or GLONASS compatibility.  Released in August 2015.
Phantom 3 4K
Company designation Model W325.  As Phantom 3 Standard but with the visual positioning system and 4K Sony Exmor camera of the Professional.  Released in January 2016.
Phantom 3 SE
Company designation Model W328.  As Phantom 3 4K but with an upgraded video transmission system, increased range, and a flight time of 25 minutes.  Released in China in March 2017 and worldwide in August 2017.

Phantom 4 
Phantom 4
Company designation Model WM330A.  Redesigned variant with a new outer shell, push-and-release propellers, an obstacle avoidance system with four forward/downward-facing cameras and an ultrasonic sensor, a 4K 1/2.3" camera with an electronic shutter, and a 5350mAh battery giving it a flight time of approximately 28 minutes.  Released in March 2016.
Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+
Company designation Model WM331A.  As Phantom 4 but with a 20-megapixel 1" Exmor R camera, an upgraded obstacle avoidance system with rearward-facing cameras and infrared side sensors, Model 9450S propellers, and a 5870mAh battery giving it a fight time of approximately 30 minutes.  The Pro+ differs from the Pro in that it has a controller with a built-in 5.5" screen and integrated flight app.  Released in November 2016.
Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+ Obsidian
As Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+ but with a matte black color and a magnesium camera/gimbal with an electroplated anti-fingerprint coating.  Announced at the 2017 IFA Berlin trade show.
Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+ V2.0
Company designation Model WM331S.  Upgraded Phantom 4 Pro/Pro+ with an OcuSync transmission system, improved ESCs, and backwards compatible Model 9455S low-noise propellers.  Released in May 2018.
Phantom 4 Advanced/Advanced+
Company designation Model WM332A.  Replacement for the Phantom 4 a mechanical shutter capable of shooting 4K H.264 video at 60 FPS and H.265 video at 30 FPS.  The Advanced+ differs from the Advanced in that it has a controller with a built-in 5.5" screen and integrated flight app.  Announced on 13 April 2017.
Phantom 4 RTK
Company designation Model WM334R.  Variant of the Phantom 4 Pro designed for aerial mapping and surveying with an FC6310R camera, a redundant GNSS module, and a real-time kinematic positioning module compatible to GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, and BeiDou satellites.  Released in October 2018.
Phantom 4 RTK SE
Variant to replace the Phantom 4 RTK.  Details of the RTK SE were leaked in March 2022.
P4 Multispectral
Company designation Model WM336.  Agricultural variant of the Phantom 4 RTK with a flight time of 27 minutes, Model 9455S low-noise propellers, and a six-sensor camera array with an RGB camera and five narrow-band sensors.  Announced on 25 September 2019.

Operators

Government operators 

Federal Bureau of Investigation bought 19 Phantom 4 Pro V2.0 drones in July 2021.
United States Secret Service bought a total of eight Phantom 4 Pro and Mavic 2 Pro drones in July 2021.

Military operators 

Argentine Army introduced the Phantom 4 in 2019.

Australian Army introduced the Phantom 4 in August 2018.  As of 2019, 350 Phantoms were in service.

Brazilian Army introduced the Phantom 3 in 2015.

Chilean Army introduced the Phantom 3 SE in 2018.

Seebataillon introduced the Phantom in 2016, with 30 in service as of 2019.

Israeli Ground Forces introduced the Phantom in 2017.

Lithuanian Land Forces introduced the Phantom 4 in 2017.

New Zealand Army introduced the Phantom in 2017.

Russian Ground Forces introduced the Phantom in 2019, with 10 in service as of that year.

Sri Lanka Army introduced the Phantom 4 in 2016, with two in service with the 15th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Regiment for training as of 2019.

National Army introduced the Phantom in 2017, with 22 in service as of 2019 for emergency response operations.

Non-state operators 

The Phantom was in Ukrainian paramilitary service as of 2019.

The Phantom has allegedly been used for scouting and aerial bombing.

Accidents and incidents 
On January 26, 2015, a DJI Phantom FC40 crashed into a tree on the South Lawn near the White House in the early morning.  US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were in India at the time of the incident, though both of their daughters were at the White House.  The pilot was identified as Shawn Usman, a scientist of the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency who was flying the drone recreationally at around 3 a.m. when he lost control of it.  Usman told Secret Service investigators that had been drinking shortly before he lost control, and that he had went to bed shortly thereafter, only contacting the authorities later in the morning after friends notified him of news reports of the incident.  The drone was not detected by the White House's radar system due to its size, but was seen by Secret Service officers who were unable to bring it down.  Investigators concluded that the incident was unintentional and Usman was not charged with a crime, though the Federal Aviation Administration reviewed the incident for a possible administrative action.  In response to the incident, DJI released a firmware update for the Phantom 2 family to prevent them from flying within  of Washington, D.C., centered around the Washington Monument.  Aviation had been heavily restricted within  of Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport since the September 11 attacks, though Usman stated that he was unaware that the restrictions also applied to small drones.

Specifications (Phantom 4 Pro V2.0)

See also

References

External links 
 

Unmanned aerial vehicles of China
Quadrotors
Unmanned helicopters
Radio-controlled helicopters
2010s fads and trends
Articles containing video clips
DJI