Fortem Technologies has completed the first phase of the FAA’s UAS Integration Pilot Program (UAS IPP) in North Carolina.
Under the program, Fortem is performing tests to monitor the airspace around WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh, tracking manned flights alongside the UPS Delivery Corridor, and using UAS to deliver medical test samples safely and quickly.
Fortem says that it was able to accurately and consistently track incoming medical helicopter traffic, and provide real-time alerts to unmanned service supplier AirMap to ensure a safe and secure airspace for flight.
“Ensuring the safety of manned aviation is paramount for unmanned flight operations, yet successful coordination of the two is not an easy task,” explains Basil Yap, UAS Program manager, NCDOT.
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XAG uses drones to help restore Australia from wildfire devastation
Agricultural drone manufacturer XAG has announced that it has joined the first-ever post-fire drone seeding operation on Lake Cobrico, a swamp wildlife reserve located near Warrnambool in Southwest Victoria, Australia.
A collective effort to restore Australia from wildfire devastation, the project, which was funded by Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) and managed by Heytesbury District Landcare Network (HDLN), marks the first time that agricultural drones are being used to re-establish native vegetation within a fire-ravaged peat swamp in Australia.
UAVOS modifies UAV-85 and UAV-70 4-stroke gasoline engines for UAS
UAVOS has modified the UAV-85 and UAV-70 4-stroke gasoline engines based on the Fiala PROP. company motors. As a result of the modifications, the engines have greater reliability, efficiency and engine lifespan, UAVOS says.
The new series of UAS engines are equipped with state-of-the-art air cooling and a two-nozzle fuel injection technology. Additionally, a brushless generator-starter is installed on the engine.
U.S. ally awards AeroVironment contract for its Puma LE UAS
AeroVironment has announced that on Feb. 20, it was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract valued at $2,685,057 for its Puma Long Endurance (LE) UAS.
Parrot, DroneSense partner to enhance UAS capabilities of public safety UAS teams
Parrot has announced a partnership with software company DroneSense. Using DroneSense's comprehensive drone management platform, public safety organizations can build, manage, and scale their UAS programs.
Through the partnership between Parrot and DroneSense, public safety UAS teams will be able use the full suite of DroneSense capabilities tailor-made for the needs of first responders with their ANAFI aircraft.
“It’s our mission at DroneSense to enable first responders to build and scale fully operational drone programs that harness the value of the latest drone technology safely and effectively,” says DroneSense CEO, Christopher Eyhorn.
Trillium Engineering begins airborne testing new HD55 gimbaled camera system for UAS
Trillium Engineering has begun airborne testing of its new lightweight, high-definition HD55 system, which is designed for use on Group 2 and smaller Group 3 UAS.
In a gimbal just 5.5 inches in diameter and weighing 1750 grams, the HD55 system utilizes electro-optical (EO) and cryogenically cooled mid-wave infrared (MWIR) cameras, as well as an onboard image processor.
“At Trillium, we are constantly on the hunt for state-of-the-art technology, and the development of the HD55, the newest addition to our family of gimbaled systems, exemplifies this approach,” says Rob Gilchrist, cofounder and president of Trillium Engineering.
Elbit Systems introduces lifesaving capability to its Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol UAS
Elbit Systems has introduced a lifesaving capability to its Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol UAS.
The Hermes 900 Maritime Patrol UAS can now perform long-range maritime Search and Rescue (SaR) missions thanks to the integration of detection and identification capabilities, onboard inflated life-rafts, and a precision dispatch capability.
A version of this UAS with these configurations was recently delivered to an undisclosed customer in South-East Asia.
USAIG, USI partner to enhance utility of safety benefits made available to all UAS policyholders
United States Aircraft Insurance Group (USAIG) and the Unmanned Safety Institute (USI) are collaborating to enhance the utility of safety benefits made available to all UAS policyholders.
The insurer’s Performance Vector Unmanned initiative began in 2016 by affording each UAS policyholder the chance to obtain a package of safety-focused services during each policy year of coverage. The UAS industry's evolution since that time, along with the safety needs of operators diversifying, led to USAIG’s latest update to Performance Vector Unmanned giving its UAS policyholders the ability to customize their annual safety benefit from an expanded list of offerings.
U.S. Navy, Northrop Grumman begin flight testing MQ-8C Fire Scout equipped with AN/ZPY-8 radar
Northrop Grumman and the U.S. Navy recently began flight testing of the MQ-8C Fire Scout UAS equipped with the Leonardo AN/ZPY-8 radar.
The Fire Scout’s first flight with the radar took place on Feb. 27 at Webster Outlying Field. Before that flight, several weeks of ground tests were conducted. As the entities consider mission expansion opportunities for the UAS, testing will continue to progress.
Dive Delivery granted permission to conduct drone deliveries in California
A delivery service focusing on residential and commercial drone delivery called Dive Delivery has received permission from the FAA to perform drone deliveries under existing Part 107 rules and regulations.
