DJI Matrice 400: Mastering demanding missions

In critical operations, precision and continuity are essential. The DJI Matrice 400 meets these requirements by offering a modular, robust, and scalable drone that combines mechanical power, software reliability, and high-precision perception, adapted to operational environments.

Designed for extended flights, technical inspections, security missions, and advanced mapping, it combines endurance and rapid deployment in an architecture built for durability and adaptability.

Endurance and payload

 Flight time is a key factor for the success of long missions. The DJI M400 offers up to 59 minutes of flight time with a payload, nearly doubling the capabilities of previous generations. Its payload capacity reaches 6 kg, with the ability to simultaneously connect up to seven devices via four E-Port V2 ports.

The multipoint gimbal system supports up to three pods, configurable according to needs: thermal cameras, LiDAR, a speaker, or a synchronized spotlight. Each device has a dedicated power supply, ensuring stable operation even over extended periods.

Therefore, the DJI Matrice 400 can be used with the following existing payloads: 

• DJI H30 Series
• DJI Zenmuse S1 & Zenmuse V1
• DJI L2 
• DJI P1 
• DJI Manifold 3
• DJI DRTK-3

This flexibility allows interventions to be adapted: observation, measurement, signaling or guidance, all the necessary tools are available in a single flight.

Perception active

 To assist the operator, the drone incorporates a multi-directional detection system combining horizontal rotating LiDAR, six-directional mmWave radars, omnidirectional fisheye color vision and 3D infrared sensors.

This device detects power lines at speeds up to 25 m/s, even at night or in low visibility, with the ability to distinguish thin cables as small as 21 mm. The drone adjusts its trajectory, brakes, or anticipates obstacles, ensuring reliable navigation in urban, forest, or industrial environments.

In the event of GPS signal loss, sensor fusion ensures a safe automatic return via visual positioning. The system also monitors mechanical condition, generating alerts or triggering an emergency landing if necessary.

Transmission et coordination

 The DJI O4 Enterprise transmission offers a video range of up to 40 km (FCC) and 20 km (CE), with dynamic switching between multiple bands (900 MHz, 1.4 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5.2 GHz, 5.8 GHz). This system relies on 10 antennas integrated into the drone and a phased array antenna on the remote controller, ensuring signal stability even in congested areas.

Two 4G modules can be used simultaneously, automatically switching to the best available band. In challenging terrain, another Matrice 400 can act as a repeater to double the range without any loss of quality.

Control is via the RC Plus 2 remote controller, which features a 7-inch screen (1400 nits), is water and dust resistant (IP54), and offers 7 hours of battery life with an external battery. The DJI Pilot 2 interface and backlit controls ensure smooth operation.

Automation and AR projection

 The Matrice 400 goes beyond programmed flight. It automatically recognizes and follows power lines, detects intersections and obstacles, and displays a real-time 3D point cloud model on the remote control. The operator can define a trajectory that the drone then executes autonomously.

The AR Map View, AR Landing Shadow and Smart AR Projection functions display visual landmarks on the real image: building names, distances, flight lines, facilitating decision-making without interrupting observation.

Intelligent modes (Cruise, FlyTo, POI, Smart Track, Observed View) adapt speed, trajectory, and framing to keep the subject centered in the field of view. Terrain follow ensures a constant altitude even during banked flight, useful for topographic tracking or perimeter surveillance.

Energy and restart

 The Matrice 400 uses the 977 Wh TB100 battery, which can be inserted vertically for quick swapping. Each battery provides 400 full cycles, with a flight time of 59 minutes. Thanks to its internal capacitors, the drone remains powered for up to 45 seconds during a hot-swappable battery, maintaining its GNSS position for immediate restart.

The BS100 charging station manages up to three TB100 batteries and two WB37 batteries, with three charging modes: standard, fast (45 minutes at 220V), or silent (110 minutes). Battery data is monitored remotely via DJI Pilot 2.

Open ecosystem and security

 The Matrice 400 supports the PSDK, MSDK, and CloudAPI SDKs for developing custom payloads, business applications, or cloud interfaces. The optional Manifold 3 module (100 TOPS), not included, enables in-flight AI inference, video encoding, and sensor control under Ubuntu with CUDA/OpenCV.

Data security includes AES-256 encryption, local storage, remote deletion, private cloud FlightHub 2 deployment, offline firmware updates and disconnected navigation, ensuring mission confidentiality.