On April 17, Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 UAS and Airbus Helicopters’ manned H145 successfully completed a series of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) flights.
The user onboard the manned aircraft was provided full command and control over the UAS and its payload — including launch and recovery — allowing Level 5 interoperability to be achieved.
The demonstration took place as part of a technology partnership between the Austrian Armaments and Defense Technology Agency and Schiebel. The purpose of the demonstration was to look into the benefits and challenges of delivering MUM-T flight operations, especially those with “highly valuable, mission-enhancing advantages for army aviation.”
UAS
UAS
uAvionix successfully tests and demonstrates DroneAware uAvionix UAS Remote Identification software for NASA's TCL3 UTM system
uAvionix has announced that it successfully completed testing and demonstration of the DroneAware uAvionix UAS Remote Identification software for NASA’s Technical Capability Level 3 (TCL3) UAS Traffic Management (UTM) system.
The tests were conducted in coordination with several entities, including North Dakota’s Northern Plains UAS Test Site (NP UAS TS), Simulyze, Rockwell Collins, and the University of Iowa Operator Performance Laboratory.
Liberty County Sheriff's Office establishing aviation unit to utilize UAS
In Liberty, Texas, the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office has announced that it is establishing an aviation unit and utilizing small UAS for a variety of operations.
Using funds secured through court-awarded confiscated drug money, the agency purchased a Phantom 4 Pro Plus small UAS. The UAS was put into full operation the week of April 16, and has been placed under the command of the Special Operation Division of the Sheriff’s Office.
In a press release published on KFDM.com, Sheriff Bobby Rader explains the process that went into launching this program.
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Waymo recently applied to test cars without drivers on California roads. Waymo's application was submitted to the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Thus far, only two companies have applied for such permits, but the identity of the other company has yet to be publicly revealed. (San Francisco Chronicle)
FLIR Systems' minority investment in DroneSense to help public safety organizations using UAS
FLIR Systems Inc. has completed a strategic investment in DroneSense, a company that makes a unique software platform that serves the growing needs of public safety organizations in using UAS to better perform their missions.
FLIR’s minority investment in DroneSense is expected to create opportunities for the companies to work together and share their respective expertise and customer relationships to “develop and bring to market advanced UAS operating, management, and reporting systems.”
Exyn Technologies and Velodyne LiDAR partner to develop fully autonomous indoor UAS
Exyn Technologies has announced that Velodyne LiDAR’s VLP-16 Puck LITE LiDAR sensors are now integrated into Exyn Technologies’ Advanced Autonomous Aerial Robots (A3R).
The primary sensor for simultaneous localization and mapping, the Velodyne VLP-16 is also part of the sense-and-avoid capabilities and state estimation.
“Using Velodyne’s VLP-16, Exyn’s A3Rs do not need GPS, beacons or markers,” explains Nader Elm, chief executive officer of Exyn Technologies.
Altavian to support largest small UAS program in the world thanks to new contract with US Army
Altavian, Inc. has been awarded a $250 million Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity contract with the US Army.
Altavian will support the largest small UAS program in the world, under the Program Executive Office Aviation, Products Office for Tactical Unmanned Aircraft (TUAS).
The US Army Family of Systems, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (FoSUAS) includes the RQ-11 and RQ-20 UAS, as well as supporting control and communications equipment, and other technologies to be fielded over the contract period of performance.
All systems are designed to be carried by a “single dismounted warfighter,” quickly assembled, and deployed to provide “immediate over-the-hill surveillance and reconnaissance.”
Dynetics selected as top performer for Phase 3 of DARPA's Gremlins program
Dynetics, Inc. has been selected as the top performer for Phase 3 of DARPA’s Gremlins program.
The objective of Gremlins is to “accelerate the ability to perform aerial launch and recovery of volley quantities” of low-cost, reusable UAS. Once demonstrated and matured, this capability enables a “significant expansion of distributed architectures for airborne operations.”
The Phase 3 contract is a 21-month, $38.6 million award, and the entire program will last 43 months, totaling $64 million.
Bow Valley College to offer UAS certification courses starting in May
Through its School of Continuing Learning, Bow Valley College helps UAS enthusiasts and professional UAS operators alike prepare for new and updated aviation laws that will limit where and how UAS can be flown. So with this in mind, two comprehensive certification courses will be offered at Bow Valley College’s Okotoks and High River campuses in Alberta, Canada starting May 4.
The courses will provide theory and practical knowledge through a variety of measurers including in-class instruction, labs, seminars, two tests, and a certificate that requires renewal every five years.
UAS headed to the skies of Vigo County, Indiana
A partnership between the Vigo County Emergency Management Agency and the Vigo County Sheriff's Office in Vigo County, Indiana has resulted in the purchase of three UAS.
The UAS, which are available for use by both agencies, as well as for any public safety agency or government agency, are equipped with a camera and thermal imaging abilities.
The UAS can be used for a variety of operations, including surveying and search and rescue missions.
