ZM Interactive (ZMI) has selected Iris Automation as the detect and avoid (DAA) provider for its drones, which will allow ZMI customers to conduct beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.
ZMI manufactures the xFold drone, which is an industrial, military-grade UAS that comes in various sizes and configurations. Its frame can change between a x4 (Quad), x6 (Hexa), X8 (octo) and X12 (Dodeca) configurations in minutes, and it has a heavy payload capability of more than 300 pounds, making the UAS ideal for a wide range of commercial, industrial, military and emergency response applications. Some of its use cases include aerial cinematography, 3-D Mapping and inspections, and cargo delivery.
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Skyfront, Silvus Technologies partner to produce long-range UAS
As a result of a partnership with Silvus Technologies, hybrid-electric UAS provider Skyfront has combined its five-hour endurance Perimeter UAS with Silvus’ high-power StreamCaster radios, resulting in the Perimeter XLRS, which can fly for up to five hours while maintaining command and control links and streaming real-time video up to 60 miles from the ground control station.
“We are very excited to be partnering with Silvus Technologies to bring long-range aerial platforms into the mainstream,” says Troy Mestler, CEO of Skyfront.
New York Gov. Cuomo announces completion of 50-mile drone corridor
New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has announced the completion of New York’s 50-mile unmanned traffic management (UTM) drone corridor, which runs from Central New York to the Mohawk Valley.
Considered the first of its kind in the nation, the corridor will provide companies with the space to test UAS and UTM technologies in real world settings to collect data that will help inform the industry and regulators, and push society towards regular commercial drone use.
New York UAS Test Site receives FAA approval to conduct BVLOS ops within first segment of 50-Mile UAS Corridor
The FAA has granted the New York UAS Test Site at Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York approval to fly UAS beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) within the first segment of New York's 50-Mile Unmanned Aircraft System Corridor, which is currently under development.
Considered the first “true” BVLOS authority granted to the FAA-designated test site, the approval will allow UAS testing to be conducted without the need for ground-based observers.
Oklahoma State University, Vigilant Aerospace Systems conduct autonomous demonstration flight at OSU's BVLOS corridor
Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Vigilant Aerospace Systems recently conducted a demonstration flight that used OSU’s 13-mile beyond visual line-of-sight (BVLOS) corridor east of Stillwater, Oklahoma.
The demonstration, which took place on Oct. 8, evaluated BVLOS capabilities, while also demonstrating Vigilant's latest FlightHorizon software, which provided airspace situational awareness throughout the flight.
The fully autonomous demonstration flight covered more than 18 miles.
The first full exercise of the FAA-authorized 13-mile UAS corridor—located in central Oklahoma—the flight was considered a “major field test” for the latest version of Vigilant Aerospace's management and active detect-and-avoid (DAA) system, FlightHorizon 2.
Verizon Skyward, Southern Company conduct BVLOS UAS test flights at New York UAS Test Site
Verizon Skyward, energy company Southern Company, and representatives from Hitec recently came together to conduct multiple beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) UAS test flights at the New York UAS Test Site in Rome, New York.
The goal of the testing was to help Southern Company test UAS and procedures at an active airport as a precursor to long-range BVLOS flights that could help with tasks such as storm damage assessment and routine power line inspections.
“The work we did at NUAIR was an important first step to operating in the BVLOS world,” says Corey Hitchcock, Southern Company’s chief UAS Pilot.
UPS Flight Forward awarded first full Part 135 Standard certification to operate UAS airline
UPS Flight Forward, the subsidiary of UPS, has been awarded the first full Part 135 Standard certification from the FAA to operate a drone airline.
RelmaTech incorporates in US, aims at global remote ID market
RelmaTech, a remote identification and tracking company based in London, has incorporated in the United States to market to the worldwide remote ID market for identifying drones.
Based in Greenville, South Carolina, RelmaTech Inc. will take over the lead from its parent company to market its systems, including the Secure Integrated Airspace Management (SIAM) system, its flagship remote ID product.
RelmaTech says SIAM is a lightweight, low-cost module that can be installed on a variety of unmanned aircraft to provide remote identification and tracking with low latency.
Flylogix Limited, partners launch North Sea drone initiative
‘Beyond the Horizon’ UAS company Flylogix Limited has announced the launch of a North Sea drone initiative in collaboration with multinational integrated oil and gas company Total S.A., UK air traffic navigation services provider NATS, and the Oil & Gas Technology Centre (OGTC).
The project will seek to overcome the challenges associated with UAS inspection activities in the North Sea, and look to provide commercial UAS operators with easier access to UK controlled airspace for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations.
