UAVOS has announced that it has successfully tested its new two-stage parachute system, which is designed to help UAS traveling at high speeds slowly descend to the ground.  The system includes two parachutes: the pilot chute and the main chute used to slow and stabilize the UAS. The pilot chute allows the UAS to slowly descend safely during the main parachute deployment. It also allows the main chute to open up at a minimum altitude. After the pilot chute opens, the main chute’s opening delay function causes the decrease in the load speed on the UAS. UAVOS says that the parachute system is designed for UAS that can travel at speeds of up to 280 miles per hour, and that weigh up to 110 pounds.

To help with development of its UAS strategy, telecommunications company Telstra is partnering with analytics, assurance and optimization technologies provider TEOCO. Telstra will use TEOCO’s AirborneRF technology to assess the readiness of its radio access network for future UAS applications, including communications, navigation, surveillance, safety, and identity. According to TEOCO, AirborneRF, which is already being used by several tier-one operators across the world, ensures “effective, mission-critical” connectivity to enable effective traffic management and control for UAS in the lower airspace. 

EHang and the city government of Seville, Spain have entered into a cooperation agreement to launch the first Urban Air Mobility (UAM) pilot program in Spain. Under the agreement, EHang and the Seville government will work together to develop the urban air mobility, which includes passenger transportation, air logistics and command and control platforms in the city. In accordance with Spanish and European legislation, the city will also collaborate on applications for permission to conduct test flights, and it will coordinate with EHang to plan flight routes.

Six years after developing the first hybrid fuel-electric drone, Quaternium has announced that it has set the New World Record of Endurance with the longest hybrid-drone flight. The eight-hour, 10-minute non-stop flight was completed using Quaternium’s new drone, HYBRiX 2.1, of 25 kilograms maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), in Valencia, Spain. According to Quaternium, HYBRiX is ideal for aerial missions such as surveillance or first response thanks to the advantage it offers in flight time.