On Tuesday, July 24, New York State Senator Joseph Griffo announced that Griffiss International Airport is set to receive $800,000 in state funding for UAS technology.
$500,000 of that funding will be used to transform a hangar at the airport into a year-round UAS experimentation environment known as a “Sky Dome,” which will support the development of UAS technologies to operate safely and securely in the National Air Space (NAS).
This funding is in addition to $450,000 that was previously announced, Griffo says.
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GA-ASI completes testing of arresting hook Hold Down Damper for MQ-25 UAS
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has finished performance testing of the arresting hook Hold Down Damper (HDD) for its proposed MQ-25 unmanned aerial refueling aircraft for the U.S. Navy.
GA-ASI worked with a team from GKN Aerospace’s Fokker business unit in Helmond, Netherlands. Fokker is scheduled to supply the arresting hook for GA-ASI's bid.
“The tests successfully validated the dynamic simulation model for our HDD for MQ-25,” says David R. Alexander, president, Aircraft Systems, GA-ASI.
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
On July 13, Roborace’s Robocar became the first fully driverless race car to successfully complete the Hillclimb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Robocar’s run was the first in the history of Goodwood to be completed by a race car that didn’t have a human driver in the car. (Goodwood Festival of Speed)
Intel celebrates 50th anniversary with record-setting drone light show
On July 18, Intel flew 2,018 Intel Shooting Star drones over its Folsom, California facility in celebration of its 50th anniversary.
The company’s latest drone light show set a new Guinness World Records title for the most unmanned aerial vehicles airborne simultaneously.
“Several years ago, we had an idea of flying drones forming the Intel logo over our corporate headquarters, and here we are doing just that,” says Anil Nanduri, vice president and general manager, Intel Drone Group.
“It really speaks to the innovative spirit that Intel was founded on 50 years ago.”
Airbus and International SOS to study use of UAS to deliver medical cargo and supplies
On July 18, Airbus signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with medical and security risk services company International SOS, which will result in the companies jointly studying the viability of using aircraft or UAS to deliver medical cargo and supplies.
Under the agreement, Airbus will help to define and install reliable aircraft or UAS medical cargo deliveries as part of International SOS MedSupply services.
“We hope to develop a viable business partnership where we can assist International SOS with unmanned medical cargo delivery,” says Dirk Hoke, Chief Executive Officer, Airbus Defence and Space.
Aeronyde and Unifly to provide emergency responders with advanced UAS technology
Aeronyde and Unifly have announced a partnership to bring advanced UAS technology to emergency responders.
The companies will create an “efficient self-flying system” for police and fire departments by integrating Unifly’s Unmanned Traffic Management services, along with Aeronyde’s system for Autonomous flight.
“Whenever I visit a new city, I look up and see endless possibility,” says Edgar Munoz, CEO of Aeronyde.
Boeing and SparkCognition partner to deliver UTM technology
Boeing has announced that it is working with SparkCognition, an artificial intelligence (AI) technology company, to deliver UAS traffic management (UTM) technologies.
The companies will use artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies to track UAS in flight, and allocate traffic corridors and routes to ensure safe, secure transportation. Through the collaboration, the companies will also provide a standardized programming interface to support commercial applications such as package delivery and industrial inspections.
“Estimated by some analysts at $3 trillion, the urban aerial mobility opportunity will lead to the creation of the largest new market in our lifetimes,” says Amir Husain, founder and CEO of SparkCognition.
MartinUAV incorporating Persistent Systems' Wave Relay MANET technology into its V-BAT UAS
Persistent Systems has entered into a five-year partnership with MartinUAV that will result in MartinUAV incorporating Persistent’s Wave Relay Mobile Ad Hoc Network (MANET) technology into its small vertical takeoff-and-land (VTOL) UAS known as V-BAT.
“Persistent is proud to have been selected out of the many commercially available datalink solutions,” says Louis Sutherland, VP Business Development for Persistent Systems.
“This agreement cements Persistent’s line of Wave Relay MANET products as the exclusive communications solution for MartinUAV’s unmanned products.”
Purdue Extension offering UAS demonstrations to help Indiana farmers
This summer, Purdue Extension, which offers research-based information and expertise to millions of people in Indiana, will host a series of demonstrations throughout the state, to help Indiana farmers take full advantage of new UAS technology.
“This is perhaps the biggest innovation in agricultural technology I’ve seen,” says Bob Nielsen, Purdue Extension corn specialist for 36 years. “The possibilities for data collection are tremendous.”
GA-ASI to provide UAS to Royal Netherlands Air Force
After consideration by the Ministry of Defence for the Netherlands, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has been selected to provide the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) with its UAS.
GA-ASI will deliver its Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper Medium Altitude, Long-endurance (MALE) UAS to the Dutch Military.
“We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to meet the UAS requirements of the Royal Netherlands Air Force,” says Linden Blue, CEO of GA-ASI.
“We are committed to providing a NATO-interoperable solution that enhances the ISR capabilities of the Netherlands and the Alliance.”