A company named Calspan has announced the acquisition, modification, and certification of a long-range, fixed-wing UAS, which will allow the company to “enter emerging markets that service public utilities and government agencies.” The company will use the UAS for aerial surveying, LIDAR mapping, and 3D photography.
In addition to acquiring the UAS, Calspan, which provides research and testing services in the aviation and transportation industries, has also obtained the necessary licenses and approvals from the FAA that enable commercial UAS operations under CFR Title 14 Part 107.
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L3 Technologies receives contract in support of U.S. Army Apache MUMT-X Program
Thanks to receiving a “production contract for multiple awards totaling $97 million,” L3 Technologies will support the U.S. Army’s Apache Manned/Unmanned Teaming – eXpanded Capabilities (MUMT-X) helicopter program.
L3 Technologies is a provider of a wide range of communication, electronic and sensor systems used on military, homeland security and commercial platforms.
MUMT-X facilitates communications and data teaming between manned and unmanned aircraft, which gives the Apache AH-64E helicopter a “transformational warfighting capability” that is notably more robust, lighter and less expensive than the original UAS control system.
SunPower becomes first company to receive LAANC authorization through Skyward
Solar energy company SunPower Corp. has become the first company to receive approval from the FAA for “automatic access to operate a drone in regulated airspace over controlled airports.”
The new access category is called Low Altitude Authorization Capability (LAANC), and it was released a few weeks ago in a beta test at four airports, including San Jose (SJC), Cincinnati International Airport (CVG), Reno (RNO), and Lincoln (LNK).
SunPower received LAANC authorization through FAA-approved vendor Skyward.
“Digital, automated, free access to controlled airspace, in the form of LAANC, is one of the greatest moment(s) we've experienced in the U.S. commercial drone industry so far,” says Skyward Co-President Jonathan Evans.
Robonic Ltd Oy to deliver KONTIO launcher to Swedish Defence Materiel Administration
Tampere, Finland-based Robonic Ltd Oy has signed a contract that will result in the company delivering a third-generation KONTIO pneumatic launcher to the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), which is expected to happen before the end of 2017.
The “high pressure pneumatic launcher” is designed to launch tactical UAS and target drones, and it is capable of catapulting different types of aerial target UAS. It is designed to launch air vehicles of up to “140 kg with a 70 m/s exit velocity or alternatively 500 kg at 37 m/s.”
Thanks to its large mass and speed envelope, the highly transportable universal launcher is “highly suitable” for various types of “targets or tactical unmanned aerial vehicle,” Robonic says.
Weekend Roundup
This Week in the Unmanned Systems and Robotics World
UAS users in the city of Haysville, Kansas will now be able to launch and land their aircraft in all of the city’s parks, thanks to a new UAS-use policy implemented this week. According to Haysville Chief Administrative Officer Will Black, this is the first time that UAS will be permitted to fly above public property. (KMUW)
Black & Veatch and Aeryon Labs utilize UAS to enhance utility asset data
Black & Veatch and Aeryon Labs have collaborated to launch an end-to-end asset management inspection system that uses UAS technology for global energy clients.
Using Aeryon’s commercial UAS hardware, software and services, crucial infrastructure condition data can be captured, and that data is integrated by Black & Veatch into the existing enterprise asset management (EAM) systems of a utility.
This streamlined system by Black & Veatch and Aeryon Labs expedites inspection times, lowers inspection costs, and speeds up the integration of data into EAM systems.
HAZON Solutions and PrecisionHawk to integrate technologies through new partnership
Through a new partnership announced on Oct. 25, HAZON Solutions and PrecisionHawk will look to provide better UAS safety for commercial UAS operations, by integrating their respective technologies.
Beginning in early November, PrecisionHawk’s Low Altitude Traffic and Airspace Safety (LATAS) platform will be accessible within the HAZON Drone Management System (DMS), which is HAZON’s UAS fleet management software.
AUVSI Statement on Announcement of Presidential Memorandum for UAS Integration Pilot Program
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 25, 2017
Contact: Tom McMahon, tmcmahon@auvsi.org, (571) 255-7786
Drone pilot program to help state, local governments weigh in on UAS integration
On Oct. 25, President Trump directed U.S. Secretary of Transportation Elaine L. Chao to launch the Innovative Drone Integration Pilot Program, an initiative which will “safely test and validate advanced operations” for UAS in partnership with state and local governments in select jurisdictions.
The move is seen as a way to give state and local governments some say in regulating UAS use, while not pre-empting the authority of the Federal Aviation Administration to oversee the nation’s airspace.
