In-Flight Data has announced that starting this week, it is embarking on Canada's largest BVLOS UAS Operations trial to date.
With support from senseFly, this project will seek to “demonstrate that BVLOS UAS flights can be conducted safely and efficiently, to the benefit of all Canadians, while providing cost reductions and/or operational efficiencies for the different use-cases involved.”
“We are truly excited to get the go ahead for this ambitious project,” says Chris Healy, the owner of In-Flight Data.
UAS
UAS
Northrop Grumman and U.S. Navy celebrate commencement of MQ-4C Triton UAS flight operations
On May 31, Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy officially welcomed the MQ-4C Triton UAS to the fleet during a ceremony to celebrate the commencement of flight operations at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu.
Naval Base Ventura County (NBVC) Point Mugu in California is home to the maintenance detachment of Unmanned Patrol Squadron (VUP)-19 DET Point Mugu, which is the Navy’s first unmanned patrol squadron. Maintainers are currently conducting training and tests on the Triton UAS before it deploys to Guam later in 2018.
Point Mugu has also completely refurbished an existing hangar that will house up to four Triton UAS. The first two Triton UAS are located at Point Mugu.
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
UAVOS has announced the creation of a qualitatively new main rotor blade, which will be installed on its UAS “with 77 lbs (35 kg) take-off mass and rotor diameter of 102,36" (2600 mm).” UAVOS says that the entire flight performance of the machine has been greatly affected by the “one-step blade molding technology using polymer composite materials and an improved aerodynamic shape.” (UAVOS)
School district in Texas holds "Tech Wars" robotic competition for students
In McAllen, Texas, the McAllen school district recently held its inaugural “Tech Wars” robotic competition, which gave students the opportunity to compete against in each other in drone racing, a Battle Bot competition, and an unmanned vehicle competition.
Tech Wars took place on a football field, and according the Monitor, which is McAllen's newspaper, the idea behind creating Tech Wars came from McAllen ISD Superintendent J.A. Gonzalez.
“We wanted to give kids with these technology talents the opportunity to shine, so it’s not about the star quarterback or star pitcher or great swimmer or great volleyball, but now it’s about the great drone racer,” Gonzalez says.
Airborne Response expanding its force of UAS pilots for 2018 summer storm season
Miami-based Airborne Response, which describes itself as “the nation's premier provider of high resolution aerial imagery for emergency management and disaster response operations,” is expanding its force of FAA-certified remote pilots for commercial and emergency UAS operations across the U.S.
The company is doing this as the 2018 summer storm season started a few days earlier than expected with the formation of Subtropical Storm Alberto, which made U.S. landfall on May 28.
“Our seasonal ramp-up of UAS operators was already underway,” says Christopher Todd, President, Airborne Response.
Drone Delivery Canada and Toyota Tsusho Canada Inc. to collaborate on UAS delivery logistics platform
Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) and Toyota Tsusho Canada Inc. (TTCI) have signed an agreement to work together on a UAS delivery logistics platform.
Through the agreement, TTCI, which is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho America Inc., will take part in DDC’s commercial pilot program in Canada as an initial stage.
Together, the two entities will look to begin flight testing, and identify other international markets to deploy DDC’s proprietary UAS delivery platform as a transportation option.
Chino Police Department purchases two new UAS
After purchasing two UAS in October 2017, California’s Chino Police Department has purchased two more UAS to add to its fleet.
The UAS, which were purchased by the City of Chino for a combined $64,000, weigh approximately 10 pounds. They are equipped with sirens, blue and red lights, and have infrared and zoom cameras.
“It’s a game changer,” says Lt. Aaron Kelliher, leader of Chino Police’s drone program, via the Chino Champion. “One camera has a 30 times optical zoom and six time digital zoom camera, which gives us the ability to see an object in detail.”
Lockheed Martin's Stalker eXtended Endurance UAS receives VTOL capability upgrade
Lockheed Martin has announced that its Stalker eXtended Endurance UAS has received a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability upgrade, which, according to Lockheed, gives users “greater mission flexibility,” and allows them to operate the system in more “austere locations.”
Aside from featuring a reduced logistics footprint, the new VTOL option also expands how and where the Stalker XE UAS may operate. Additionally, Lockheed notes that other launch alternatives include a pneumatic rail or a standard bungee launch system.
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Intel and Mobileye are testing their 100-car autonomous vehicle fleet in Jerusalem. The companies say that Jerusalem is a good place for testing this technology not only because of convenience of location—Mobileye is based in nearby Israel—but also to show that this technology is capable of operating in any geography and under all driving conditions, as Jerusalem is known for its challenging and aggressive traffic conditions. (Intel)
Callen-Lenz launches UAS development Flight Test Center in South West England
Callen-Lenz has launched its UAS development Flight Test Center.
Located in Wiltshire, South West England, the test center operates with regulatory approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, allowing for quick, local approval of UAS flight test activities “across a wide range of types and all-up mass.”
Callen-Lenz says that customers will really benefit from the ability to rapidly achieve testing on UAS greater than 20 kilograms mass.
