5 WAYS TO MAKE THE MOST OF XPONENTIAL 2021
XPONENTIAL is a globally-recognized gathering for leaders and users of unmanned technologies. Each year, it brings together thousands of the industry’s top minds—from engineers, to policymakers, to enterprise program managers—to cultivate collaboration, spark new ideas, and design the future of autonomy.
In 2020, XPONENTIAL went fully virtual in response to the global pandemic. This year, after months of careful planning, it’s officially coming back as a two-part, hybrid experience.
UAS
UAS
Successfully Educating CA Lawmakers About UAS Technology
One of AUVSI’s guiding advocacy pillars is to support the opening of markets, reduction of barriers, and injection of more certainty and predictability into Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operations and marketplace. AUVSI has been in close contact with key California lawmakers and stakeholders about AB 1292, and we are pleased that the bill has been shelved with no consideration this year.
UNMANNED SYSTEMS DEFENSE PHASE I: AIR
AUVSI today hosted Day Two of the 2021 Unmanned Systems Defense (USD) Conference with a focus on systems and technologies within the air domain. Attendees heard insights from Christopher C. O’Donnell, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Acquisition; Major Ryan Greenawalt, Future Unmanned Aircraft System Integrator, Future Vertical Lift Cross Functional Team; and Rear Admiral Brian Corey, Program Executive Officer for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons.
Noise Pollution and Social Acceptance of UAM
Autonomous systems are transforming business and the economy, and their impact on the future will grow with increased integration into our daily lives. Recent advancements in urban air mobility (UAM) – autonomous systems that transport cargo and passengers at low altitudes in urban and suburban areas – are moving us toward a safer and more efficient transportation future. However, the momentum of this evolving industry also brings challenges posed by increased urban noise.
Mitigating UAS Disruptions at Airports
An unmanned aerial vehicle spotted at the Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro, NC on March 9 caused operational difficulties, delayed flights, and raised concerns of gaps in security. Law enforcement agencies are seeking the public’s assistance in identifying the drone operator, with the FBI calling the incident an “illegal intrusion.” This is not the first time such an incident has occurred, and disruptions will likely continue to occur the federal government takes action to allow airports, and trained law enforcement, to detect and mitigate unauthorized UAS incursions.
Vantis Prepares North Dakota Ops Center for BVLOS Testing
With its sights set on expanding its beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) infrastructure across the country, Vantis recently signed a long-term agreement to house an operations center at the Grand Sky business and aviation park in western North Dakota, providing unmanned aerial system (UAS) operators and customers from across industries access to monitoring, data collection, and verification, lowering the barrier to entry for federal approval.
COVID-Fighting Collaboration Proves Potential of UAS for Test Transport
Exercise in upstate N.Y. shows how flight could replace drives through downtown traffic.
A team of more than a dozen COVID-19-motivated entities with expertise in public health, public safety and unmanned flight recently enjoyed a hard-won peek into the future of UAS in medical transport in upstate New York.
Black Swift Technologies contracts with NOAA to develop a backup navigation system for when standard GPS fails
Jamming. Spoofing. Interference from the landscape or cityscape. Interference from other flight equipment.
Such snarls arise often enough with satellite signals to make it clear: Routine UAS flight beyond the line of sight (BLOS) will likely never happen with traditional GPS technology alone. To assure safe travel over long distances, unmanned aircraft systems need greater capability to ensure accurate positioning and routing.
Wingcopter Secures $22 Million in Series A Funding to Aid in COVID-19 Relief
Wingcopter has secured $22 million in Series A funding to strengthen its leadership in drone-based logistics, with a special focus on healthcare-related applications including the distribution of COVID-19 vaccines.
“Our team is driven by tackling the world’s challenges through scalable innovations,” said Wingcopter CEO Tom Plümmer. “This chapter of our journey is dedicated to setting up logistical highways in the sky that leapfrog traditional means of transportation.”
Congratulations to General Austin on his Confirmation as U.S. Secretary of Defense
This morning, retired Army General Lloyd Austin was confirmed as U.S. Secretary of Defense, and AUVSI offers him and his family our warm congratulations.
Secretary Austin comes to the job with a very impressive resume, marked by several key accomplishments: he was the first Black commander of CENTCOM, the first Black Vice Chief of Staff for the Army, and is now the first Black Secretary of Defense. While serving in the Army, Sec. Austin led every Army formation from platoon-sized elements to a full combatant command, and as a brigadier general deployed to Iraq in 2003, he famously carried an M4 service rifle instead of the traditional general’s service weapon.