The U.S. Army has awarded Raytheon a $191 million contract for Ku-band radio frequency radars (KuRFS).
Described as an “advanced electronically scanned array system,” KuRFS fills an immediate operational need of the U.S. Army for a counter-UAS radar.
KuRFS, which is already deployed, not only delivers precision fire control, but it also provides a “sense and warn” capability for a variety of missions including detection of rocket, artillery, mortar and swarming UAS threats.
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CustomWeather and TruWeather Solutions partner to produce 'unique, high resolution' forecasts to support UAS
A provider of high-resolution weather data and alert services called CustomWeather Inc. has partnered with TruWeather Solutions LLC to produce “unique, high resolution” forecasts to support UAS.
The companies will offer UAS operators that need high resolution data TruWeather Solutions’ proprietary model that includes terrain-capturing resolutions at 1,000 meters. The model is complemented by CustomWeather’s own proprietary CW100 model to “provide solutions at even more granular 100 meter resolution,” the companies say.
Volvo Cars and Baidu partner to develop and manufacture autonomous vehicles for China
Volvo Cars and Baidu have agreed to jointly develop electric and fully autonomous drive-compatible cars, with a mind towards mass producing these vehicles for the largest car market in the world, China.
Through their partnership, Volvo Cars and Baidu will develop and sell these vehicles to potential Chinese customers, which underlines Volvo Cars’ desire to be the supplier of choice for mobility companies across the world.
Ford and Baidu announce two-year joint autonomous vehicle test project in China
Ford Motor Company and Baidu Inc. have announced a two-year joint autonomous vehicle test project in which they’ll work together to further advance the development and on-road testing of autonomous vehicles in China.
According to Ford, the collaboration is aligned with its plans to “further advance and promote autonomous vehicle technologies,” which ultimately supports the company’s vision of designing “smart vehicles for a smart world.”
Automated drone startup Airobotics receives $30 million in funding
Automated drone startup Airobotics has announced a $30 million Series D round of funding, which brings its total capital raised to $101 million. Based in Israel, Airobotics says that it will use this round of funding to further scale its operations in the U.S. and Australia.
Recently, Airobotics launched its North American headquarters in Scottsdale, Arizona. From this location, Airobotics will run all North America, South America and Central America operations. The Scottsdale office will also become the company’s global headquarters as Airobotics continues to scale.
Airobotics will also use this latest round of funding to continue servicing the mining industry and other industrial facilities across the world.
AUVSI launches Trusted Operator Program to help UAS operators demonstrate their skill, safety commitment
AUVSI has now given unmanned aircraft systems operators a way to increase their safety and boost their standing in the marketplace through today’s launch of the new Trusted Operator Program, or TOP.
Interest in becoming a commercial drone operator has been growing, but so far, from a regulatory perspective, there has been little available to allow an operator to stand out from the crowd and demonstrate competency or proficiency. While numerous training courses exist, there has been no industry unification for competency training or testing.
AUVSI Launches Trusted Operator Program
For Immediate Release: November 1, 2018
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786
AUVSI Launches Trusted Operator Program
New TOP certifications will further enhance safety, allow operators and training organizations to distinguish themselves in a growing marketplace
MBIE and Airbus partner to develop New Zealand's capability in UAS and space data technology
New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) has signed an agreement with Airbus to collaborate on the development of New Zealand’s capability in the UAS and space data technology sectors.
Enabled through MBIE’s Innovative Partnerships program, the Letter of Intent “sets out a commitment to seek opportunities for Airbus to test and trial its UA technologies in New Zealand, and to work together to support the development and adoption of new and innovative space data technologies and applications,” according to MBIE.
From Unmanned Systems Magazine: Drone industry expansion leads to acquisitions, partnerships
The commercial unmanned aircraft systems industry has been expanding for some years, with investments for the first time exceeding $1 billion in 2017, enabling deployment of experimental concepts in various sectors of the economy and military. However, this rapid investment of capital is shifting the industry from saturation into consolidation.
