Technology has advanced so far, so quickly that unmanned systems —in the air, on land, on or under the sea —will soon have the capability to undertake missions that we have yet to fully define or understand.
By late 2020 for example, the U.S. Air Force could have fighter aircraft-sized UAS that could fly in formation with manned F-35s or F-15s, break off to reconnoiter 100 miles away, and launch their own smaller drones to strike targets on the ground.
Technology
Technology
UAV Navigation announces autopilot for USVs and ASVs
UAV Navigation has announced that it has developed an autopilot for USVs and ASVs.
Designed to comply with IP66—which means that it can work in humid conditions, including salt spray and saline environments—UAV Navigation’s autopilot is capable of completely autonomously controlling a USV mission from beginning to end.
According to UAV Navigation, all of the advanced features available for UAS can be used by USV operators, including multiple waypoints, multiple onboard mission plans, and no-go zones.
One of the most useful features of the autopilot, according to UAV Navigation, is ‘relative routes,’ which is the ability to install the Ground Control Station (GCS) on a moving ship, and then to fix a mission plan relative to the moving vessel.
XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator completes all test objectives during June flight
After completing its inaugural flight in March, the XQ-58A Valkyrie demonstrator successfully completed all of its test objectives during a June 11 flight at Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona.
The flight lasted 71 minutes.
“The XQ-58A is the first Low Cost Attritable Aircraft Technology flight demonstrator with (unmanned aircraft systems) technology to change the way we fly and fight, and build and buy,” says Doug Szczublewski, program manager.
IMSAR, Optisys develop SWaP radar specifically for HALE platforms
IMSAR LLC, a privately owned research, development, and manufacturing company that specializes in lightweight, low-power Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) devices and radar image processing, has teamed up with Optisys LLC, a privately-owned RF design and additive manufacturing company, to create a low-Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) radar, which is designed to be used on High Altitude, Long Endurance (HALE) platforms.
The high-altitude radar system combines Optisys's ability to miniaturize antenna arrays through 3D printing with IMSAR's military-proven radar technology.
Wounded Eagle UAS uses UAS to map VA West Los Angeles Medical Center campus
Wounded Eagle (WE) UAS Inc., a veteran run non-profit organization that trains disabled veterans to become experienced and skilled FAA Part 107 UAS operators, has announced that with help from its student UAS operators, it completed aerial mapping of VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System's (VAGLAHS) 388-acre VA West Los Angeles Medical Center (WLA) campus.
WE used a UAS and UAS mapping software to capture thousands of images of WLA. The images were stitched together to make a three zone orthomosaic map. WE also created 3D renderings of several historical buildings including the Wadsworth Chapel and Brentwood Theater.
“A truly great opportunity was given to Wounded Eagle UAS by the VA,” says Joseph Dorando, the team lead and remote pilot in charge of UAS operations.
Volvo Trucks' autonomous vehicle Vera to help transport goods in Sweden
Volvo Trucks and DFDS, a ferry and logistics company, are collaborating to use Volvo Trucks' electric, connected and autonomous vehicle Vera as part of an integrated platform to transport goods from a logistics center to a port terminal in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The goal of the collaboration is to utilize Vera in a real application as part of a connected system for a continuous flow of goods from a DFDS’ logistics center to an APM Terminals port facility in Gothenburg, for distribution across the world.
Gwent Police to use latest UAS to keep communities and officers safe
Gwent Police in Gwent, Wales has launched its latest UAS.
Gwent Police worked with UAS manufacturers during an eight-month trial to build and test the first bespoke Police drone in Wales, resulting in the Sky Mantis UAS, which will be used for a variety of operations including searches for high-risk missing people, policing large-scale events and disorder, and crime scene photography.
“Across the trial, the drones have proved their worth, saving the force approximately £46,800 across 36 incidents and has also been used in place of helicopters in the appropriate places,” says Inspector Gavin Clifton.
Zomato successfully tests drone technology; aims to get food to customers in less than 15 minutes
Zomato, an Indian restaurant search and discovery service, has announced that it has successfully tested its drone technology.
The company says that it met all of its parameters during the non-commercial delivery, which covered a distance of five kilometers in about 10 minutes. Using a hybrid UAS—a fusion of rotary wing and fixed wings on a single UAS—the company reached a peak speed of 80 kilometers per hour, carrying a payload of five kilograms.
Zomato's goal is to develop technology that gets food to customers in less than 15 minutes, so that they can enjoy their food as close to the state in which it was prepared by the chef at the restaurant. But the company says that 15 minutes is only possible if they take an aerial route.
Argo AI, Ford launch third-generation self-driving test vehicle
Argo AI and Ford have announced the launch of their third-generation self-driving test vehicle, the new Ford Fusion Hybrid.
The vehicles will be deployed in all five cities that Argo AI and Ford are operating in, which now includes Detroit.
The vehicles are equipped with new technology that’s a step closer to production specification, as well as modifications that are designed to make sure that they operate safely in a variety of conditions.
The vehicles are also equipped with a significantly upgraded sensor suite, which includes new sets of radar and cameras with higher resolution and higher dynamic range.
