General Dynamics Mission Systems and General Dynamics Electric Boat have successfully showcased “multiple mission command, control and communication capabilities” connecting a UUV from Bluefin Robotics and a Blackwing model UAS from AeroVironment with a simulated AN/BYG-1 submarine combat control center ashore. A Stackable Air-powered Launch System (STAPLS) intended for use aboard submarines was also used during the demonstrations. The goal of the demonstrations, which were a part of the Advanced Naval Technology Exercise (ANTX) 2017 that took place at the U.S. Naval Undersea Warfare Center (NUWC) in Newport, Rhode Island, was to provide “available solutions to the communications challenges of operating in a contested, undersea environment.”

Working alongside engineering, consulting and construction company Black & Veatch, Rockwell Collins successfully completed a beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) UAS flight along nearly 10 miles of power line infrastructure owned by Ameren Corp., located near Newton, Illinois. “Monitoring critical infrastructure, particularly those in rural areas beyond line of sight, can be done much more efficiently and effectively through the use of UAS technology,” says Ken Schreder, vice president, Strategic Programs, Information Management Services at Rockwell Collins.

Upon reading an article about baby deer—also known as fawns—being accidentally killed by farm machinery during the harvest season, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) student Simon Jobin decided to use his UAS to save the animals from these dangerous situations. According to Jobin, when fawns hear tractors approaching, they lie down in the tall grass instead of running away, which makes them virtually invisible. With this in mind, the UAS is used to scan the field following a set course, as it covers every part of the land. It is crucial that Jobin is up early enough in the morning to conduct these scans, because once the sun warms up the ground, the UAS’ thermal camera can't effectively detect the animals' body heat.

Through a new strategic partnership between Little Arms Studios and SkyOp, LLC, Little Arms Studios' Zephyr Drone Simulator will be deployed throughout the SkyOp commercial and consumer UAS training network that serves a large part of the Northeastern United States. Zephyr’s unique Learning Management System makes it the preferred option for SkyOp instructors that want to observe the development of each student inside and outside the classroom.