As beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) UAS operations are primed to open a range of possibilities in the drone industry, fixed-wing drone solutions provider senseFly has established itself as an early leader in safely and successfully performing these operations.
BVLOS
BVLOS
uAvionix participates in deployment of North Dakota's statewide BVLOS network
uAvionix has announced its participation in the deployment of North Dakota’s statewide Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAS infrastructure and network, Vantis, which is led by the Northern Plains UAS Test Site.
uAvionix is a strategic partner to Thales’ TopSky Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) platform, so it is deploying terrestrial command and control (C2) infrastructure and a cloud-based C2 service, which enables centralized management, coordination, and C2 handoffs. In turn, this will enable BVLOS missions across the key-site deployment area of McKenzie County, North Dakota.
Thales completes important work to enable BVLOS ops in North Dakota
Thales has announced that it has successfully completed the preliminary design review for the key site implementation of Vantis, the statewide UAS network for BVLOS operations in western North Dakota.
As part of the BVLOS network, Thales will deploy surveillance and communications infrastructure in the greater McKenzie County area. The sensors and communications network will support mission and network operations.
“North Dakota’s Statewide UAS Network, known as Vantis, is truly the first of its kind,” says Jean Ferré, Vice President of Airspace Mobility Solutions, Thales.
Iris Automation demonstrates Casia DAA system for Reno Fire Department
Last week, Iris Automation conducted a live drone flight demonstration of its Casia onboard Detect-and-Avoid (DAA) collision avoidance system for the City of Reno Fire Department. The demonstration was performed under the FAA’s UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP).
During the demonstration, which took place in Nevada over the Carson River at Fort Churchill State Historic Park, a drone equipped with Casia showcased how this technology will be used to provide automated situational awareness for drones and their pilots. Casia enables safe beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) drone operations.
“Through this CONOP, we aim to implement rescue operations supported by drone technology within the Truckee River region in the near future,” says Reno Fire Chief Dave Cochran.
Blue Bear Systems' 20-drone swarm conducts BVLOS operations
Blue Bear Systems recently operated 20 fixed wing drones to form a collaborative heterogeneous swarm that conducted beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.
The heterogeneous swarm built off of a 12-drone swarm that Blue Bear demonstrated in July. The latest heterogeneous swarm was made up of five different types and sizes of fixed wing Blue Bear drones, including Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) fixed wing Ghost/Modular Ghost UAS, conventional fixed wing Red Kite UAS, conventional fixed wing Cobra UAS and smaller hand launched Flat Pack UAS.
Iris Automation, partners granted Special Flight Operations Certificate for BVLOS UAS flights in uncontrolled airspace
Transport Canada has issued the second Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC) for Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flights in uncontrolled airspace. The flights will utilize infrastructure masking and Iris Automation’s onboard detect-and-avoid (DAA) solution to MVT Geo-solutions.
Under this SFOC, MVT, the UAS Center of Excellence (CED Alma), and Iris Automation will work together to conduct commercial missions over linear power lines in Alma, Quebec. Under the approval, Iris Automation's DAA system, Casia, will be used. Casia provides commercial drones with automated collision avoidance maneuvers.
Weekend Roundup: October 2, 2020
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Einride has raised an additional $10 million in venture capital funding. The company believes the funding will be enough to get it to next year, when it can hopefully seek out a bigger round. (VentureBeat)
Weekend Roundup: September 25, 2020
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Wilson Logistics will equip 1,120 of its trucks with Locomation’s platooning technology, with the first units to be delivered in 2022. The two companies have also extended their commercial partnership through at least the end of 2028. (VentureBeat)
Skyward granted waiver to conduct drone inspections near Big Hollow wildfire in Washington
Skyward, a Verizon company, has been awarded a temporary waiver from the FAA that allows its pilots to fly the Percepto Sparrow drone from their homes to inspect critical communications infrastructure near the Big Hollow wildfire in Washington.
The waiver permits operations 24 hours a day, with less than three miles of visibility, and no pilot or observer on site.
“At a moment when we are facing dangerous consequences of climate change and coping with a global pandemic, maintaining the Verizon Network has never been more important,” says Rima Qureshi, chief strategy officer, Verizon.
Speedbird Aero receives regulatory approval to operate two experimental drone delivery routes in Brazil
Speedbird Aero, a Latin American drone delivery company, has become the first company in Latin America to win regulatory approval for a drone delivery operation, as the company has received regulatory approval from Brazil's National Civil Aviation Agency, also known as ANAC, to operate two experimental drone delivery routes in Brazil.
