DJI Matrice 400 Review: A New Era for Enterprise Drone Operations

DJI has introduced the DJI Matrice 400, a game-changing heavy lift drone designed to transform enterprise drone operations.

Find out about its key features and how this new drone will transform commercial operations.

This flagship system is loaded with high-performance capabilities, such as a maximum flight time of 59 minutes, a 6kg payload capacity, the ability to support up to 7 payloads simultaneously and an onboard LiDAR system designed for power-line-level obstacle detection.

This IP55-rated drone also features an enhanced transmission system, can be integrated into an airborne relay workflow and is specifically engineered to perform ship-based take-offs and landings.

It is fully compatible with DJI’s most advanced payload suite – including H30T, H30, L2, P1, V1, and S1 – as well as select third-party solutions, allowing it to execute a range of intelligent and automated operations.

Additionally, DJI M400 introduces a suite of new accessories, such as the BS100 Multifunctional Battery Station, the Manifold 3 onboard computer with 100 TOPS of processing power and a new tethering system.

DJI Matrice 400 marks a new era for commercial drone operations, with outstanding performance in emergency response, power inspections, mapping and AEC sectors.

To complement these features, DJI M400 incorporates robust data security protocols and can be deployed with the DJI FlightHub 2 On-premises solution.

Gnss.ae offers end-to-end support on the DJI M400, including consultancy, training and regulatory assistance, surveying expertise and after sale support.

Key Specifications at a Glance​

 
Feature Specification
Takeoff weight Without batteries: 5020±20g With batteries: 9740±40g
Max Payload Weight 6kg
Max Payload Capacity 7
Max take-off weight 15.8kg
Max Flight Time 59 minutes with H30T
Max Horizontal Speed 25m/s
Wind Resistance 12m/s
Operating Temperature -20°C to 50°C
Transmission DJI O4 Enterprise Enhanced Video Transmission System 20km (CE)
IP Rating IP55

Top Features

Versatile, heavy-lift platform

DJI M400 is engineered as a flexible platform for heavy-lift operations. It supports an impressive 6kg maximum payload capacity and accommodates up to 7 payloads simultaneously.

Payloads can be mounted underneath the drone in either a single or dual downward configuration, and you can further expand the payload capacity by adding a second gimbal connector for up to three payloads. Moreover, the E4 port facilitates expansion into 4 additional ports, allowing for a total of 7 payload connections.

DJI M400 works seamlessly with a variety of DJI payloads such as DJI H30 Series, DJI Zenmuse L2, and DJI Zenmuse P1, in addition to accessories like the DJI Zenmuse S1 searchlight and DJI Zenmuse V1 voice speaker. Pairing the drone with these payloads enables advanced features such as:

  • Power Line Follow (with L2)

  • Smart 3D Capture (with P1)

  • AI Detection (visual) with the H30 Series

  • AI Detection (thermal) with H30T

Note that DJI M400 does not support legacy DJI payloads (such as L1 or the H20 Series) but does allow compatibility with third-party PSDK payloads (developed for the M350 RTK) upon manufacturer upgrade.

Operators can also integrate the new Manifold 3 – a high-performance embedded computer designed for use with the DJI Onboard SDK.

Extended flight time

As a high-endurance aircraft, DJI M400 offers up to 59 minutes of flight time. The table below outlines indicative flight times with various payload setups:

 
Payload Flight time
H30T 59 mins
L2 59 mins
P1 59 mins
H30T + V1 53 mins
H30T + S1 50 mins
3kg payload 44 mins
6kg payload (max payload capacity) 31 mins

In addition to impressive endurance, DJI M400 is engineered for speed, with a horizontal velocity of 25 m/s, achieving a maximum ascent of 10 m/s and a descent of 8 m/s.

Safety features

DJI M400 is equipped with a suite of onboard safety features, including:

  • Horizontal rotating LiDAR: With a point frequency of 520,000 points per second and a 360° horizontal and 58° vertical field of view, it detects small obstacles like power lines.
  • Six-direction mmWave radar: Offers long detection ranges and robust performance in adverse weather conditions.
  • Full-colour fisheye vision system: Assists in flight with enhanced visual awareness and object recognition.
  • Upper LiDAR and Downward 3D infrared sensing system: Provide additional layers of obstacle detection for safe operations.

This comprehensive sensor package enables the drone to perform 24/7 obstacle detection—capable of identifying and avoiding power lines (21.6mm at higher speeds, and including secondary lines of 12mm at reduced speeds). Operators also benefit from integrated brake and avoid modes.

Additional safety mechanisms include:

  • Arm-lock detection: Prevents take-off if arm sleeves are unsecured.
  • Battery lock sensor: Notifies pilots if flight batteries are improperly installed, stopping take-off if required.
  • Anti-collision beacons: Enhance night-time visibility with two on-board beacons.
  • Three-propeller emergency landing mode: Engages if a motor fails, triggering a controlled spin and slow descent.
  • AirSense ADS-B receiver: Collects data from nearby aircraft to warn of potential collision risks via the Pilot 2 app.

Enhanced Transmission

DJI M400 is outfitted with the DJI O4 Enterprise Enhanced Transmission System, which supports a video transmission range of up to 20km (CE) or 40km (FCC). This is enabled by a 10-antenna system, a high-gain phased array on the remote controller, and support for sub-2G frequency bands (subject to regional regulations).

Further, dual 4G enhanced transmission modules (with DJI Cellular Dongle 2) allow DJI M400 to automatically switch networks for improved signal stability in urban environments or remote locations.

DJI M400 can also serve as part of an airborne relay system. One DJI M400 can be deployed as a relay drone, flying high to extend the transmission range for another M400 operating further away. This is particularly useful for search and rescue operations or inspections in mountainous areas.

All-Weather Reliability

Built for challenging environments, DJI M400 has an IP55 rating, making it capable of handling harsh conditions such as heavy rainfall (up to 100mm in 24 hours), dust and fog. It can reliably operate within a temperature range of -20°C to 50°C and withstand wind speeds up to 12m/s.

Intelligent features

DJI M400 comes integrated with a pack of intelligent features that enhance both safety and operational effectiveness:

Smart AR Projection

  • AR Power Line: Projects AR lines over detected power wires to aid in grid inspections.
  • AR Map View: Displays urban landmarks and critical infrastructure on the controller screen.
  • AR Flight Route: Provides a live preview of the drone’s return-to-home and obstacle avoidance path.
  • Live Annotations: Enables on-the-fly marking of subjects for distance and area measurements, syncable with DJI FlightHub 2.
  • RC Signal Direction Prompt: Offers directional guidance when signal strength is low.

Intelligent Flight

  • Cruise Mode: Allows the drone to maintain a steady flight path without constant stick input.
  • FlyTo: Automates flight path adjustments to reach set waypoints.
  • POI Orbit: Facilitates continuous observation and 3D modelling of a target area.
  • Real-time Terrain Follow: Maintains a consistent altitude relative to varying terrain, ensuring a stable ground sample distance (GSD) during mapping.
  • Observed View: Records the ground area in view, reducing pilot workload during search and rescue missions.
  • Smart Track: Enables automatic subject tracking with dynamic zoom adjustments.

AI Detection

  • Visible Detection (with DJI Zenmuse H30 Series): Implements AI models to detect people, vehicles, and boats with adjustable confidence levels and third-party model support.
  • Thermal Detection: Facilitates moving subject detection with thermal imaging.

Flight Routes

  • Slope and Geometric Route: Supports the planning and execution of routes over slopes or building facades via DJI Pilot 2 or DJI FlightHub 2.
  • Smart 3D Capture (with DJI Zenmuse P1): Creates rough models for streamlined 3D Capture Route.

Take-off and land on ships

DJI Matrice 400 supports ship-based auto-landing by recognizing custom landing markers on a vessel’s deck. This dynamic landing capability reduces launch and recovery risks, particularly in offshore missions, and is ideal for maritime patrols and wind-turbine inspections.

DJI M400 accessories

DJI M400 ecosystem includes a wide range of accessories tailored to enhance mission performance:

DJI RC Plus 2 Enterprise Enhanced Version

  • 7.02-inch LCD touchscreen with 1400 nits brightness
  • High-gain antenna array and IP54 protection
  • 3.8 hours of built-in battery life, extendable to 7 hours with the WB37 external battery
  • Optional 4G enhancement module and support for Sub-2G communication bands

TB100 Intelligent Flight Battery

  • High-capacity 20,254 mAh battery (13S, 977 Wh) with 400 charge cycles
  • Top-insert design for rapid battery changes and hot-swapping capability
  • Onboard capacitors hold power for up to 45 seconds during battery swaps, ensuring mission continuity

BS100 Multifunctional Battery Station

  • Supports simultaneous charging for 3 TB100 batteries and 2 WB37 batteries
  • Multiple charging modes (Standby, Standard, Speed, Quiet) with real-time monitoring and firmware updates via the remote controller

Aircraft Transport Case

  • Custom-designed case with omnidirectional wheels and optimized space
  • Accommodates DJI M400, remote controller, multiple flight batteries and additional payload equipment

Manifold 3

  • A high-performance onboard computer delivering up to 100 TOPS
  • Features GPU and DLA cores for edge AI tasks and seamless integration via PSDK V3
  • Weighs only 120g, enabling advanced computational capabilities on the fly

TB100C Tethered Battery

  • Provides continuous power via a tethered system, ideal for long-duration hovering or extended missions
  • Maintains the same high capacity (20,254 mAh) and durability across 400 cycles

DJI M400 Software Compatibility

DJI Matrice 400 integrates with DJI’s suite of software solutions including DJI Pilot 2, DJI FlightHub 2, DJI Terra and DJI Modify, enabling sophisticated mission planning and real-time monitoring.

DJI M400 Data Security

Data security is critical for enterprise drone operations.

DJI M400 includes robust measures such as media encryption, local storage protocols, log clearing, offline firmware updates and offline maps. Additionally, when paired with DJI FlightHub 2 On-premises, users can ensure complete control over data storage, backup and access within their own infrastructure.

DJI M400 vs. DJI M350 RTK

 

Aircraft

DJI Matrice 400 DJI Matrice 350 RTK
Takeoff Weight (with propellers) Without battery: 5020 ± 20 g With battery: 9740 ± 40 g Without battery: approximately 3.77 kg With dual batteries: approximately 6.47 kg
Dimensions Unfolded: 980×760×480 mm (L×W×H) (with landing gear) Folded: 490×490×480 mm (L×W×H) (with landing gear and gimbal) Dimensions (unfolded, without propellers): 810×670×430 mm (L×W×H) Dimensions (folded, with propellers): 430×420×430 mm (L×W×H)
Max Payload 6 kg 2.7 kg
Max Takeoff Weight 15.8 kg 9.2 kg
Diagonal Wheelbase 1070 mm 895 mm
Max Ascent Speed 10 m/s 6 m/s
Max Descent Speed 8 m/s 5 m/s
Max Horizontal Speed (at sea level, no wind) 25 m/s 23 m/s
Max Takeoff Altitude 7000 m 7000 m
Max Flight Time (no wind) 59 minutes 55 minutes
Max Wind Speed Resistance 12 m/s 12 m/s
Operating Temperature -20° to 50° C (-4° to 122° F) -20° to 50° C (-4° to 122° F)
Ingress Protection Rating IP55 IP55
Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) GPS + Galileo + BeiDou + GLONASSv Equipped with standard airborne ADS-B In receiver and dual antennas, supporting reception up to 20 km. GPS + GLONASS + BeiDou + Galileo
Ports USB-C Debug Port × 1: USB 2.0 E-Port V2 × 4: At the lower part of the drone, with 120W single-port power Cellular Dongle 2 Interface × 2: On the underside of the drone USB-C Debug Port × 1: USB 2.0 E-Port V2 × 2: On the top of the aircraft Cellular Dongle 2 Interface × 1: On the underside of the drone
Max Payload Quantity 7 3
Number of Beacon 2 1

 

Sensing

 DJI Matrice 400DJI Matrice 350 RTK
Sensing TypeOmnidirectional binocular vision system (surround view provided by full-color fisheye vision sensors)
Horizontal rotating LiDAR, upper LiDAR and downward 3D infrared range sensor
Six-direction mmWave radar
Six-direction binocular vision system (black and white vision system)
Six-direction infrared sensing system
Rotating LiDARStandard Measurement Range: 0.5-100 m @ 100,000 lux with 10% reflectivity target
Measurement Range for Power Line: 35 m @ 30° @ 10,000 lux for 21.6 mm steel-core aluminum stranded wire with a relative body tilt angle of 30° to the left and right
FOV: 360° (horizontal), 58° (vertical)
Point-Frequency: 520,000 points/second
Laser Wavelength: 905 nm
Eye Safety Level: Class 1 (IEC60825-1:2014), eye-safe
N/A
Upper LiDAR (3D ToF)0.5-25 m at night (reflectivity > 10%)
The FOV to the up and down is 60° and 60° to the right and left.
N/A
Downward 3D Infrared Range SensorMeasurement Range: 0.3-8 m (reflectivity > 10%)
The FOV to the front and rear is 60° and 60° to the right and left.
N/A
mmWave RadarMeasurement Range for Power Line:
36 m for a 12.5mm steel-core aluminum stranded wire
50 m for a 21.6mm steel-core aluminum stranded wireFOV: ± 45° (horizontal and vertical)
N/A

 

Intelligent Features

 DJI Matrice 400DJI Matrice 350 RTK
Visual and Thermal Imaging Model DetectionSupportedNot supported
Smart AR ProjectionSupportedNot supported
Real-Time Terrain Follow (Manual & Auto)SupportedNot supported
Ship-based Takeoff/LandingSupportedNot supported
Power Line FollowSupportedNot supported
Cruise Control ModeSupportedNot supported
POI ModeSupportedNot supported
FlyTo ModeSupportedNot supported
Slope Route & Geometric Route PlanningSupportedNot supported
 

Video Transmission

DJI Matrice 400 DJI Matrice 350 RTK
Video Transmission System DJI O4+ Enterprise Enhanced DJI O3 Enterprise Transmission
sub2G Supported Not supported
Operating Frequency and Transmitter Power (EIRP) 902-928 MHz: < 30 dBm (FCC), < 16 dBm (MIC) 1.430-1.444 GHz: < 35 dBm (SRRC) 2.4000-2.4835 GHz: < 33 dBm (FCC), < 20 dBm (CE/SRRC/MIC) 5.150-5.250 GHz: < 23 dBm (FCC/CE) 5.725-5.850 GHz: < 33 dBm (FCC), < 14 dBm (CE), < 30 dBm (SRRC) 2.4000-2.4835 GHz: < 33 dBm (FCC), < 20 dBm (CE/SRRC/MIC) 5.150-5.250 GHz (CE: 5.170-5.250 GHz): < 23 dBm (CE) 5.725-5.850 GHz: < 33 dBm (FCC/SRRC), < 14 dBm (CE)
Max Transmission Distance (unobstructed, free of interference) 40 km (FCC) 20 km (CE/SRRC/MIC) 20 km (FCC) 8 km (CE/SRRC/MIC)
Antenna WLAN Antenna × 8: 6 vertically polarized antennas and 2 horizontally polarized antennas sub2G Antenna × 2: 2 vertically polarized antennas 4G Antenna × 4 Operating Mode: 2T4R WLAN Antenna × 4: 3 vertically polarized antennas and 1 horizontally polarized antenna Operating Mode: 2T4R
Integrated Airborne Relay
Supported Not supported
4G Enhanced Transmission Module Supports 2 Supports 1
 

Intelligent Flight Battery

DJI Matrice 400 DJI Matrice 350 RTK
Capacity 20254 mAh 5880 mAh
Cell Type Li-ion 13S Li-ion 12S
Energy 977 Wh 263.2 Wh
Cycle Count 400 400
Tethered Battery Yes N/A

 

Intelligent Battery Station

 DJI Matrice 400DJI Matrice 350 RTK
Charging TimeTB100/TB100C Battery From 0% to 100%:
220 V: 45 minutes (Fast Charging Mode); 110 minutes (Silent Mode)
110 V: 70 minutes (Fast Charging Mode); 110 minutes (Silent Mode)
With a 220V power supply, it takes approximately 60 minutes to fully charge two TB65 Intelligent Flight Batteries and approximately 30 minutes to charge them from 20% to 90%.
With a 110V power supply, it takes approximately 70 minutes to fully charge two TB65 Intelligent Flight Batteries and approximately 40 minutes to charge them from 20% to 90%.
 

Remote Controller

DJI Matrice 400 DJI Matrice 350 RTK
Screen Resolution 1920×1200 1920×1200
Screen Size 7.02 inches 7.02 inches
Brightness 1400 nits 1200 nits
Ingress Protection Rating IP54 IP54

Summary

DJI Matrice 400

With its heavy-lift performance, extended flight times, and advanced obstacle detection, the DJI Matrice 400 is a groundbreaking drone platform engineered for commercial operations. DJI continues its legacy of innovation with DJI M400, heralding a new chapter in the evolution of enterprise UAVs.

For organisations aiming to integrate DJI M400 into their operations, Gnss.ae offers comprehensive support that spans consultancy, training, support and secure data integration with FlightHub 2 On-premises.