DJI launched the Matrice 5T on November 5, 2026, as the successor to its Matrice 4T compact enterprise drone. It is the first lightweight DJI work drone to come with LiDAR, millimetre-wave radar and an all-round vision system as standard. The 5T uses the camera package DJI introduced in October on the dock-based Matrice 5TD, but on folding arms that one operator can carry to a site.
The three sensing systems are meant to cover each other's weak spots. DJI says the LiDAR can detect thin obstacles such as power lines up to 32 metres away in darkness, and can lock onto a line so the drone flies alongside it during inspection. The radar keeps measuring distance in fog, rain and dust, while fisheye cameras hold visual positioning in light as low as 0.5 lux. The airframe is rated IP55, works from -20°C to 50°C and is quoted at up to 59 minutes of flight time, ten minutes more than the 4T. With its battery it weighs 2,239 g, roughly a kilogram more than its predecessor, and folds to 335 x 155 x 203 mm.
The thermal camera has a native resolution of 1280 x 1024, four times the pixels of the 640 x 512 sensors common on enterprise drones, and an upscaled mode outputs 2560 x 2048. The wide camera records colour video in light down to 0.01 lux by DJI's own testing, the telephoto offers 11x optical zoom and can read a number plate at 400 metres, and the laser rangefinder now reaches 3 km, up from 1.8 km.
For range, DJI quotes up to 40 km on its O4 Enterprise link, a figure that depends on local radio rules, and relay modes let one or two other drones pass the signal on when hills or buildings block it. Two cellular modules are built in as a backup link. Onboard AI analyses thermal and visible feeds together to detect more than 20 target types, including vehicles and vessels, and accepts third-party models. Through DJI's FlightHub 2 cloud platform, operators can search for targets with text or image prompts and generate patrol routes, and DJI says the controller can turn 200 photos into a quick map in about eight minutes.
In China, the Matrice 5T is priced at RMB 57,488. Elsewhere it is sold through authorised DJI Enterprise dealers, with no single global price published. Dealers began taking orders at launch and expect first shipments later in November. For Europe, dealers list the aircraft with C2 and C6 class marks, and DJI says its flight termination module is what the C6 class requires. DJI notes that its performance figures were measured on production units in controlled conditions.
For utilities, public safety agencies and survey firms already running Matrice 4T fleets, the 5T adds night and bad-weather capability without the cost of a fixed dock. Buyers should budget for the full kit, including batteries, controller, charging hub and accessories, confirm that the radar and transmission settings are permitted where the drone will fly, and treat headline range and endurance as test values. If you are comparing compact thermal drones from Chinese suppliers or need help sourcing and shipping a complete set, our team can help you plan the order.