This summer, Purdue Extension, which offers research-based information and expertise to millions of people in Indiana, will host a series of demonstrations throughout the state, to help Indiana farmers take full advantage of new UAS technology.
“This is perhaps the biggest innovation in agricultural technology I’ve seen,” says Bob Nielsen, Purdue Extension corn specialist for 36 years. “The possibilities for data collection are tremendous.”
Technology
Technology
GA-ASI to provide UAS to Royal Netherlands Air Force
After consideration by the Ministry of Defence for the Netherlands, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has been selected to provide the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) with its UAS.
GA-ASI will deliver its Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper Medium Altitude, Long-endurance (MALE) UAS to the Dutch Military.
“We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to meet the UAS requirements of the Royal Netherlands Air Force,” says Linden Blue, CEO of GA-ASI.
“We are committed to providing a NATO-interoperable solution that enhances the ISR capabilities of the Netherlands and the Alliance.”
Deveron UAS Corp. awarded National Special Flight Operations Certificate for its UAS
Deveron UAS Corp. has been awarded a National Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) for operations of its Rotary-Wing UAS.
The SFOC allows Deveron to operate nine more makes and models in its expanding UAS fleet, ultimately helping to meet common customer demands for increased operational flexibility.
With the ability to operate across Canada seamlessly, Deveron will not only have additional capabilities, but the company can also further expand its service to all regions as it offers “on-demand solutions” for growers, plant breeders, and research groups.
Flirtey celebrates three-year anniversary of its 'Kitty Hawk' moment
On this day three years ago, Flirtey successfully completed the first FAA-approved drone delivery in the United States.
In collaboration with NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia, Flirtey delivered pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies to an outdoor free clinic in Wise County, Virginia.
During the flights, a NASA Langley fixed-wing Cirrus SR22 aircraft picked up 10 pounds of pharmaceuticals and supplies from an airport in Tazewell County in southwest Virginia. With a safety pilot on board, the plane delivered the medicine to the Lonesome Pine Airport in Wise County.
Mississippi's Vicksburg Police Department set to acquire UAS
The Vicksburg Police Department (VPD) in Vicksburg, Mississippi is primed to acquire a UAS by the close of the fiscal year.
Last week, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen accepted an FAA certificate of authorization that allows the department to fly a UAS at or below 400 feet altitude.
Vicksburg's mayor, George Flaggs Jr., supports the department getting this new piece of technology.
“I think they are absolutely to be commended,” Flaggs Jr. says via the Vicksburg Post. “Anytime they can get another tool that the city of Vicksburg can use to prevent crime and monitor crime that’s absolutely good news.”
ASV Global-led consortium develops 'long endurance, multi-vehicle, autonomous survey solution'
A consortium made up of ASV Global (ASV), Sonardyne International Ltd., the National Oceanography Centre (NOC) and SeeByte has developed what it describes as a “long endurance, multi-vehicle, autonomous survey solution.”
The entities worked together on the three-year ‘Autonomous Surface and Sub-surface Survey System’ collaborative project, with a goal of delivering an integrated system to perform “low cost, full water column marine surveys using multiple autonomous systems.” The project recently culminated with a two-week trial in Scotland’s Loch Ness.
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
The second annual Drone-Con event recently took place at Palomar College in San Marcos, California on July 6. The event featured more than 30 guest speakers that presented on a variety of topics, as well as breakout sessions covering topics such as starting a UAS program at a school, mapping and surveying with UAS, and UAS career pathways for military veterans. (Palomar News)
UAVOS completes flight test of UAS that is powered by the Sun
UAVOS Inc. has completed flight tests of its unmanned SAT-i aircraft, which is powered by the Sun.
Designed to perform monitoring and aerial photography during daylight hours, the UAS has demonstrated high performance capabilities thus far, having successfully completed a non-stop 10-hour mission for aerial photography of the surface relief, with a payload of a 600-gram mirrorless camera.
“Based on UAVOS experience, to achieve high quality aerial photography, work has to be done in the daytime with a good level of illumination,” explains Vadim Tarasov UAVOS investor and board member.
GA-ASI completes first trans-Atlantic flight of a MALE RPA
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has announced that its MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) has become the first Medium-altitude, Long-endurance (MALE) RPA to successfully complete a trans-Atlantic flight.
The MQ-9B SkyGuardian took off from Grand Forks, North Dakota on July 10, and flew 3,760 nautical miles in 24 hours and two minutes. The MALE RPA landed at the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford in Gloucestershire, UK on July 11.
Ohio leaders break ground on autonomous vehicle testing center
On July 9, Ohio Governor John Kasich and leaders from The Ohio State University, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), JobsOhio and other organizations came together to break ground on the Transportation Research Center’s (TRC) new SMART Center in East Liberty, Ohio.
The SMART Center will serve as a testing ground for autonomous and connected vehicles.
“What this is going to do is give people the opportunity all over the world to be going 24/7, to test in all conditions and to have multiple cars on the road,” Kasich explains. “This is going to be the coolest place to go with your kids.”
