DARTdrones has announced that it is pledging $100,000 in UAS training grants to public safety organizations as a way to give back, and ultimately, save more lives with UAS.
For DARTdrones, UAS provide a number of benefits for public safety entities and first responders, but the financial costs associated with launching a UAS program remains an obstacle for many public safety organizations.
DARTdrones believes that every department should have the opportunity to use UAS technology as part of its daily operations, so with this in mind, the company is launching the DARTdrones Public Safety Grant to provide a “pathway for departments to adopt this cutting-edge technology.”
First Responders
First Responders
DJI To Sponsor AUVSI XPONENTIAL’s Inaugural Humanitarian Awards
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 1, 2018
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786
Texas game wardens optimistic that new UAS will have life-saving impact
Texas game wardens will use their new DJI Inspire 2 UAS to “enhance their ability to quickly and safely surveil hard to access areas during natural disasters and search and rescue operations.”
The UAS’ camera payload allows for real-time broadcast, providing the same live HD video feed to a large HD TV screen or monitor. With this feature, rescuers and command staff can have a live view that allows them to make “immediate and appropriate decisions that save lives.”
Drone America and Thrush Aircraft partner to develop world's first autonomous air tanker
UAS manufacturer Drone America and aircraft manufacturer Thrush Aircraft have formed a strategic alliance to begin the development of the world’s first autonomous air tanker, which would add to the arsenal of airborne tactics available to firefighters and first responders when fighting wildfires.
The new tanker is expected to mix Thrush’s large airframe and airborne delivery system expertise with Drone America’s “Ariel” amphibious platform, producing an aircraft capable of delivering approximately 800 gallons of water or fire retardant, autonomously.
Save the Date: AUVSI Unmanned Systems Defense. Protection. Security., Feb. 6 to 8, 2018
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 3, 2018
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786
Weekend Roundup
A Federal Aviation Administration panel has recommended ways to track and identify flying drones, but hasn’t reached a consensus as to whether hobbyist drones should be included. The Academy of Model Aeronautics says no, but other groups say they should be. (USA Today)
Los Angeles Fire Department uses UAS for first time as it battles Skirball Fire
According to KTLA, the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) deployed its UAS for the first time on Dec. 7, as the department battled the Skirball Fire burning near the Bel-Air neighborhood in California.
Two of the department’s eight UAS were used to conduct reconnaissance for about 30 minutes, as one UAS provided visuals of property damage, while the other located hotspots. After the hotspots were located, firefighters or a water drop were dispatched to the exact location where they were needed.
AUVSI chapter report: Hurricane Irma reveals strengths and weaknesses of UAS involvement
Hurricane Irma clobbered a good portion of Florida on Sept. 10, further elevating the role of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in disaster response and recovery operations. Soon after the storm had passed, drones quickly took to the air to provide situational awareness for first responders and assess damage to critical infrastructure providers.
However, planning for UAS operations started well before irma ever made landfall. A statewide UAS safety briefing web conference coordinated by the AUVSI Florida Peninsula Chapter (FPC) was held Saturday, Sept. 9.
ArdentMC launches UAS initiative to aid areas of Northern California damaged by wildfires
Reston, Virginia-based software development firm Ardent Management Consulting (ArdentMC) has announced the launch of a UAS initiative, which will result in the company offering up to 100 hours of free aid in areas of Northern California that have been devastated by wildfires.
During the two-week initiative, ArdentMC will utilize geographic information system (GIS) technology to help assess the damage caused by wildfires that have consumed much of Northern California.
Tactical Robotics providing its Cormorant UAV with engine upgrade
Tactical Robotics Ltd. (TRL), which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Urban Aeronautics, has announced that it is in the process of equipping its Cormorant cargo and medical evacuation UAV with the Safran Helicopter Engines Arriel 2 engine, pushing the Cormorant UAV one step closer to its final production configuration.
Described as “one of the most advanced and reliable helicopter engines in the world,” the Arriel 2 engine offers additional power over the currently installed Arriel 1D1 engine, allowing for operation at full load—even during hot summer days—and it will facilitate an increase in cruise speed and load carrying capability.
