PAE ISR has signed a cooperative agreement with NASA to conduct a UAS demonstration in the National Airspace System (NAS) in 2020, and work toward the full integration of this technology into the NAS.
“NASA's Systems Integration and Operationalization Demo program is a great opportunity to validate integration of larger UAS in the NAS,” says Beth Beach, vice president of business development.
Business Solutions
Business Solutions
Harris Corporation and L3 technologies merging to create L3 Harris Technologies
In an effort to create a global defense technology leader that focuses on developing “differentiated and mission critical solutions” for customers across the globe, Harris Corporation and L3 Technologies Inc. have agreed to combine in an “all stock merger of equals” that results in a combined company called L3 Harris Technologies Inc.
Both companies are fully invested in the world of unmanned systems, as L3 recently acquired ASV Global—a USV and autonomous vessel control systems company—to create L3 ASV, while Harris is an FAA-approved vendor of the LAANC service, which provides UAS with access to the controlled airspace near airports.
Bell and Yamato seek to transform on-demand delivery service by integrating autonomous UAS and package handling systems
Textron Inc. company Bell and Yamato Holdings Co., Ltd. have announced a strategic collaboration for the “future of civilian aerial logistics.”
With aspirations of being a global leader in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) logistics, Bell and Yamato plan to achieve this by working together to integrate innovative autonomous UAS and package handling systems in an effort to create an exceptional customer experience for on-demand logistics services.
The companies expect to introduce their initial product into service by mid-2020s.
Lockheed Martin and KAUST to collaborate on UAS research
Lockheed Martin recently signed its first international Master Research Agreement with King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Thuwal, Saudi Arabia.
Additionally, Lockheed Martin and KAUST announced their initial collaboration in the field of flexible electronics. This collaboration will include the integration of KAUST developed flexible solar cells on fixed-wing UAS to enhance their operational endurance, and support applications across a variety of sectors.
“Lockheed Martin is proud to help play a defining role in promoting the Kingdom's thriving R&D efforts as a committed partner to KAUST,” says Lockheed Martin Chief Technology Officer Keoki Jackson.
AeroVironment and GD partner to integrate UAS and tactical missile systems with armored ground combat vehicles
AeroVironment Inc. has announced a new strategic relationship with General Dynamics Land Systems (GD) to produce “highly integrated and effective” tactical UAS and tactical missile systems (TMS) for armored ground combat vehicles.
“By integrating the leading small tactical UAS and loitering missile systems with the leading armored combat vehicles, our team will deliver a new level of battlefield lethality, survivability and combat effectiveness to protect and enable the warfighter,” explains Kirk Flittie, vice president and general manager of AeroVironment’s UAS business.
Southern Company partners with Skyward to expand UAS program
In an effort to expand its UAS program, Southern Company has partnered with Skyward, a Verizon company that is advancing UAS fleet management technologies and research and development.
Along with its affiliates, Southern Company was one of the first energy companies to use UAS as part of its operations for a variety of tasks, including remote inspection, wire transport and damage recovery assessments.
“Southern Company is leading the energy industry in deploying state-of-the-art drone operations technology and innovating their processes,” says Mariah Scott, Skyward President.
“Skyward is proud to help Southern Company fly in more ways and in more places and looks forward to continuing R&D work.”
Forestay Capital acquires capital in Swiss navigation technology company BlueBotics
Forestay Capital Ltd has acquired capital in BlueBotics, a Swiss navigation technology company, to help facilitate international expansion. Forestay Capital is the Bertarelli closed-end tech fund that launched earlier this year.
Based in St-Sulpice, Switzerland, BlueBotics develops and sells navigation technologies for industrial vehicle automation. The company’s ANT product line has been installed in more than 1,000 vehicles across the world, as it addresses the needs of various industry verticals, including material handling, hospital logistics, and cleaning.
Cruise and General Motors working with Honda on autonomous vehicle technology
In an effort to pursue the shared goal of “transforming mobility through the large-scale deployment of autonomous vehicle technology,” Cruise and General Motors Co. are partnering with Honda.
Honda will work collaboratively with Cruise and General Motors to fund and develop a “purpose-built autonomous vehicle” for Cruise that can be used for a variety of purposes, and be manufactured at high volume for global deployment.
The companies will also examine global opportunities for commercial deployment of the Cruise network.
Boeing and Robotic Skies partner to develop and deliver enhanced services for commercial and civil UAS markets
Boeing and its subsidiaries Jeppesen and Aviall have teamed up with UAS support services provider Robotic Skies to develop and deliver “industry-leading supply chain management and optimization, analytics, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services” for both the commercial and civil UAS markets.
Together, Boeing and Robotic Skies will pursue ways to best utilize their substantial combined experience and platforms in manned aviation programs, so that they can extend them into the UAS market.
This includes providing services for commercially-focused regulatory compliance, ground support, training, MRO, parts distribution, field upgrades and vehicle retrofit capabilities.
Going to the TOP with AUVSI's Trusted Operator Program
AUVSI is about to give unmanned aircraft systems operators a way to increase their safety and boost their standing in a burgeoning marketplace, through the new Trusted Operator Program (TOP).
Becoming a commercial drone pilot and operating a UAS represents an exciting and rewarding career in a dynamic and emerging industry, but from a regulatory perspective, there is little required for the commercial drone operator to demonstrate competency or proficiency in his or her operations. There are training courses available to the prospective drone pilot, however, so far there has been no industry unification with respect to remote pilot competency training or testing programs.
