Introducing: DJI Matrice 400

Introducing: DJI Matrice 400

A True Workhorse: The DJI Matrice 400

While some drones were made for fun, the M400 was made for work.

The Matrice 400 is where power, endurance and sensor flexibility have intertwined to create one of the most revolutionary drones of our time. The M400 was strategically made for the use of many important people such as inspectors, surveyors, utility teams, first responders, and field operators who deserve more than mediocre equipment.

Below, you will find some key specifications and features of the M400’s competence:  

Flight time

Up to 59 minutes of forward flight (with payload). Hover time up to ~53 minutes.

Payload capacity

Up to 6 kg — substantial capacity for complex missions.

Number of payload mounts/ports

7 mounting hard-points + 4 “E-Port V2” interfaces, enabling simultaneous use of multiple payloads/sensors.

Environmental ruggedness

IP55-rated — meaning it resists dust and rain; operational in a wide temperature range: about –20 °C to +50 °C. Also has a maximum wind resistance of 12 m/s (about 27 mph or 43 km/h).

Transmission & control

Uses DJI’s “O4 Enterprise Enhanced Video Transmission” — video transmission up to ~40 km (in FCC zones). Also supports “Airborne Relay Video Transmission” (you can use one M400 as a relay to extend signal range) + fallback to sub-2 GHz + dual 4G dongles.

Speed and agility

Max horizontal speed ~ 25 m/s; stable ascent/descent and responsive enough for industrial operations.

Obstacle sensing and avoidance 

Advanced multi-sensor system: rotating LiDAR + mmWave radar + full-color low-light fisheye cameras — designed for “power-line-level obstacle sensing.” Great for complex or risky environments (urban, forest, industrial).


Who Should be Using it – Ideal Organizations & Users

In order to extract the most value from the Matrice 400, you will be part of (or operate) organizations that require:

  • Long-duration/long-range flight for mapping, surveying, or inspection (e.g. infrastructure, mining, forestry).

  • Emergency response & public safety – search & rescue, fire departments, inspection after natural disasters, disaster response, etc.

  • Intricate sensor payloads – multi-spectral, LiDAR, thermal, specialized sensors or cameras.

  • Civil engineering, construction, surveying firms – in need of terrain mapping, photogrammetry, large-area coverage, progress monitoring.

  • Utility companies – tower inspections, power-line inspections, offshore platforms, remote infrastructure monitoring, wind farms, etc.

Unleashing the Power of the DJI Matrice 400: the Payloads that Pay Off

The payloads listed below are perfect for showcasing the extended capabilities and versatility of the Matrice 400.

  1. Zenmuse H30 Series – The All-In-One Inspection & Public Safety Camera

The Zenmuse H30 Series is a hybrid imaging system that packs wide, zoom, thermal, and laser-rangefinding capabilities into a single gimbal. It excels in demanding inspection work and public-safety missions where detail, distance, and situational awareness matter. From long-range industrial checks to nighttime rescue operations, the H30 turns the M400 into a powerful all-weather observation platform.

  1. Zenmuse L3 – Long-Range, High-Accuracy LiDAR & RGB Mapping for Professional 3D Projects

For surveying and geospatial professionals, the Zenmuse L3 delivers next-gen LiDAR point clouds with unmatched range and precision — alongside dual high-resolution RGB imaging — enabling the creation of detailed terrain models, infrastructure scans, forest and vegetation mapping, or wide-area elevation data, often all from a single flight. It’s ideally suited for civil engineering, forestry, utilities inspection, land development, and large-scale mapping operations.

  1. Zenmuse P1 – High-Resolution Photogrammetry Imaging

The Zenmuse P1 is DJI’s flagship full-frame photogrammetry camera, built for capturing ultra-sharp orthomosaics and 3D models. Available with multiple fixed-focus lenses, the P1 excels at surveying, construction monitoring, accident reconstruction, and large-area mapping. If LiDAR isn’t required, the P1 offers stunning visual detail at exceptional efficiency.

  1. Zenmuse S1 – Illumination for Night Operations

The Zenmuse S1 Spotlight delivers a powerful, focused beam designed for search-and-rescue, law enforcement, inspections, and nighttime industrial work. When paired with the H30 Series’ low-light imaging, the S1 allows teams to continue operations long after the sun goes down. It’s simple, reliable lighting — but transformative in the field.

  1. Zenmuse V1 – Aerial Communication Made Easy

The Zenmuse V1 is a high-clarity public-address speaker, perfect for emergency broadcasting, crowd-control support, disaster response, and remote communication in hard-to-reach locations. With the ability to send live or pre-recorded messages from the air, the V1 adds a crucial communication layer to M400 public-safety missions.

  1. Manifold 3 – Onboard AI & Edge Computing

The Manifold 3 isn’t a camera or sensor — it’s the M400’s supercomputer. Designed for AI models, edge-processing, and advanced autonomy, it enables real-time object detection, on-the-fly data analysis, and mission automation without waiting for post-processing on a ground station. Combine it with an H30, L2, or P1, and the drone becomes a true intelligent system.


The excellence of the Matrice 400 lies not only in its airframe — but in it's flexibility. With payloads like H30, L3, P1, S1, V1, and computing modules like Manifold 3, you effectively acquire a modular drone platform capable of adapting to many different jobs: surveying, mapping, inspection, rescue, communication, night operations, and more.

With this being said, it's clear that you aren't just purchasing a single-purpose drone – you are purchasing a multi-tool airborne platform.

 

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