This week, my eyes are on PABLO AIR, a South Korean drone company that came onto the scene with swarm drone technology that’s used in applications from drone delivery to military use. But the other product it makes that I’m high—key obsessed with? That’s the PabloX F40.
This drone is one of just a handful of drones in the world that solves a problem many audiences complain about when watching drone light shows: they don’t have the “boom factor” of fireworks. But the PabloX F40 does it all: it’s a light show drone and it can shoot fireworks while flying.
The PabloX F40: When LEDs meet pyrotechnics
Most drone light shows rely purely on LED lighting to create patterns, images and animations in the night sky. The PabloX F40 is considered a pyro drone, meaning it does that while also launching fireworks.
The PabloX F40 won the iF Design Award 2025, joining an elite group of products recognized for outstanding design. In August 2024, it received FAA flight approval in the U.S. for the firework drone series, which is a significant milestone for international expansion.
The key to the success of drone shows lies in PABLO AIR’s independently developed pyrotechnic ignition system. This system is designed to enable multiple drones to ignite fireworks safely and reliably even during flight, enhancing both the precision and overall reliability of the performance.
Their tech has since proved itself on the big stage, including setting multiple Guinness World Records.
In April 2024, PABLO AIR set their most recent record with 1,068 pyro drones flying simultaneously. That’s over one thousand drones, each equipped with pyrotechnic capabilities, coordinated to create a massive aerial display.
Past records have also included:
October 2020: PABLO AIR set a Guinness World Record with a 303-drone pyro show at the Kia Motors logo unveiling event. At the time, this was a massive achievement that put the relatively young company (founded just two years earlier in 2018) on the international map.
September 2022: They broke their own record with 511 pyro drones, effectively doubling the scale of what they’d accomplished just two years prior.
Breaking into the global market
PABLO AIR has been steadily building their international presence, particularly in the United States. The company has showcased at CES (Consumer Electronics Show) multiple years running: 2023, 2024, and 2025. Each appearance has helped build brand awareness in the crucial U.S. market. The August 2024 FAA approval for their firework drone series was a critical step in bringing bigger, better shows to the U.S.
The business model: manufacturing meets services
Here’s where PABLO AIR’s approach differs from many drone show companies: they manufacture their own drones and swarm drone tech.
Some drone show companies operate purely as service providers, buying drones from manufacturers and focusing on show production and client relationships. PABLO AIR owns the entire pipeline from manufacturing to show execution. And if you want then, yes, you can buy your own set of PabloX F40 drones.
Some of its key specs:
- PABLO AIR claims its LEDs are up to 1.8 times brighter than those of competing models
- Windproof and waterproof
- Battery specs: Li-Po / 5,300mAh / 14.8V / 5C
- Max show time: 16 minutes (12 minutes with pyro)
When you purchase a pyro drone (or any light show drone) from PABLO AIR, you get everything you need to put on a show including hardware, software, design solutions, communication equipment and more. The company also offers its own training programs, so even if you have no prior experience in operating drone shows, they’ll pledge to help you.
As far as PABLO AIR goes, the benefits of both manufacturing their own drones and putting on drone shows for themselves include:
Control over technology: They can rapidly iterate on drone design based on show requirements and feedback.
Cost efficiency: No middleman markup on hardware means better margins or more competitive pricing to clients who want to purchase a drone show.
Supply chain reliability: In an industry where drone availability can be a bottleneck, owning manufacturing means PABLO AIR controls their own supply.
PABLO AIR’s swarm coordination technology and pyrotechnic integration make them a company worth watching going into 2026.
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