PAE ISR, which is a lead systems integrator and full service provider for UAS, has appointed Chris Corgnati as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).
With more than 25 years of executive and operational leadership in naval aviation, Corgnati is a recognized expert in the development, acquisition and integration of unmanned systems.
Before being appointed COO at PAE ISR, Corgnati held several titles, including Vice President of the NASA and Department of Defense programs at Crown Consulting, Director of ISR Capabilities for the Chief of Naval Operations, and the United States Head of Delegation for the NATO Joint Capability Group on Unmanned Aerial Systems.
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Unifly and Integra Aviation Academy collaborating to set up UTM system for UAS
In an effort to create an environment where UAS can be flown safely and under control in the vicinity of airports, Unifly and Integra Aviation Academy have announced that they will work together to set up an Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) system that makes it possible to “detect, monitor and document” UAS operations on a national scale.
The entities will seek to accomplish this goal by working with some of the top manufacturers within the field.
“Airports and their surroundings are a highly specific and vulnerable area where it is vital for manned and unmanned aviation to coexist safely,” says Mark Kegelaers, CEO of Unifly.
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
Elistair has announced the launch of its ORION UAS, which is the “next generation of persistent tethered drone systems,” according to the company. Elistair says that the UAS is designed for semi-persistent aerial surveillance and telecommunications needs, allowing it to handle the most difficult missions across a variety of sectors, including law enforcement, private and public safety, and national security, just to name a few. (Elistair)
Johns Hopkins students use automated driving tech to protect UAS
OnBoard Security, which describes itself as a leader in internet of things security, has announced that a graduate student team at the Johns Hopkins University Information Security Institute (JHUISI) successfully demonstrated the protection of UAS from cyber attacks.
OnBoard Security contributed to this research effort by providing mentoring, industry insight, and the use of its Aerolink communication security libraries. OnBoard Security says that this is the first implementation of Aerolink outside the automotive industry.
According to OnBoard Security, potential cyber attacks on aerial fleets of UAS are a major concern, especially with UAS being used more and more, and with the increasing automation surrounding this technology.
Symposium message: FAA is 'open for business'
“The message of this whole conference is, the FAA is open for business,” said Derek Kan, undersecretary for policy at the U.S. Department of Transportation, summing up the Federal Aviation Administration’s stance at the third annual FAA UAS Symposium, cosponsored by AUVSI.
FAA official said repeatedly that they want to talk to industry about ways to help companies achieve their goals, including for beyond-line-of-sight flights and package delivery.
One key element to achieve such things is an unmanned traffic management system, which NASA is working on, along with numerous industry and government partners.
“Our research will be completed by 2019,” said Parimal Kopardekar, who is leading the UTM effort for NASA.
Drone America, Kongsberg Geospatial partner to enhance BVLOS UAS operations
Drone America and Kongsberg Geospatial have announced the integration of the Kongsberg Geospatial IRIS UAS situational awareness application into the Drone America Airspace and Sensor Awareness System (DAAWS).
Drone America, which specializes in designing and building “advanced long-range autonomous, multi-mission aircraft” with modular payloads for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight operations, developed the DAAWS system as part of its Advanced Ground Control Station, to give flight teams the ability to manage BVLOS flight operations safely and effectively.
Middle Eastern country awards AeroVironment contract for its Puma AE UAS
A major country in the Middle East has awarded AeroVironment, Inc. a contract valued at $44.5 million (USD) for its Puma II AE small UAS featuring the new Mantis i45 sensor.
Puma AE UAS equipped with the Mantis i45 sensor suite gives operators the ability to “see better and farther than ever before,” which provides more actionable intelligence, so users can proceed with certainty.
Described as rugged, portable and fully waterproof, Puma AE gives operators “unmatched operational flexibility in the small UAS class,” according to AeroVironment.
FAA grants Property Drone Consortium permission to fly small UAS at night
The Property Drone Consortium (PDC), which is a collaboration made up of insurance carriers, roofing industry leaders and supporting enterprises, has been granted an FAA waiver that allows it to fly small UAS at night.
The waiver requires adherence to several provisions, including using a visual observer, flying with anti-collision lighting on the platform, and flying in Class G airspace, as well as compliance with all other Part 107 provisions.
Moore County Sheriff's Office locates missing child using UAS
North Carolina’s Moore County Sheriff’s Office recently used a UAS to locate a missing 11-year-old child.
After arriving to the Jackson Springs, North Carolina residence where Moore County Sheriff’s deputies were dispatched on the night of March 1, Moore County Sheriff’s Office Drone Pilot, Lieutenant Tim Davis immediately launched the department's DJI Matrice 210 UAS to search for the child. Within just 15 minutes, the UAS observed a heat signature in the wooded area approximately 100 yards from the residence across the highway.
Lieutenant Davis used his radio to direct deputies to the location of the heat signature, and the deputies located the child, sleeping under some thick tree limbs and brush.
Skyguide and AirMap team up to develop and deploy first national UAS traffic management system in Europe
Skyguide, which is a Swiss air navigation service provider, and AirMap, which is the leading global airspace management platform for UAS, have announced that they will develop and deploy the first national UAS traffic management system in Europe.
The resulting system from this partnership between the two companies will be the first national deployment of U-space, which is Europe’s vision for the “digital infrastructure that will support safe and secure access to European skies for millions of drones.”
U-space is similar to the U.S. “Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM)” initiative, in that it is a “collaborative effort to enable situational awareness, data exchange, and digital communication for the European drone ecosystem.”