UAS
UAS
Planck Aerosystems awarded $200,000 to test its small UAS in operational settings
Planck Aerosystems will begin testing its autonomous small UAS in operational settings, after the Department of Homeland Security Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) announced that it has awarded the San Diego-based company $200,000.
HiDRON stratospheric glider successfully reaches altitude of 30 kilometers
UAVOS and Stratodynamics have announced that their HiDRON stratospheric glider successfully reached and flew from an altitude of 30 kilometers (98,450 feet), which broke their previous record of 25 kilometers in the process.
During the flight, a new mini-EUSO (Extreme Universe Science Observation) AMON Airglow detector from the Slovak Academy of Sciences Institute of Experimental Physics was tested. UAVOS and Stratodynamics also used this flight as an opportunity to test and advance several aspects of the HiDRON design including stratospheric flight dynamics, data links, and UAVOS’ Autopilot.
Oneida Indian Nation partners with NUAIR to use UAS to monitor and protect land and environmental resources
In an effort to enhance its ability to monitor, observe, manage and protect its lands and environmental resources using UAS technology, the Oneida Indian Nation, which is an indigenous nation of American Indian people whose sacred and sovereign homelands are located in Central New York, has partnered with Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research (NUAIR).
The Nation will leverage NUAIR’s UAS and related technologies, as well as its expertise, to gather and assess data about its lands and environmental resources, mainly from isolated or hard-to-reach areas. The Nation will also use this technology to further implement and enforce programs aimed at protecting these resources.
Trumbull to scale UAS inspections through new contract from ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil has awarded Trumbull a five-year UAS contract to expand its drone data collection and inspections.
One of the first companies in the U.S. approved to conduct UAS operations, Trumbull has supported ExxonMobil since 2014.
“Trumbull is grateful to serve amazing clients. After conducting data collection and inspections for ExxonMobil in over 25 locations, we are excited to scale operations starting in the Americas,” Trumbull CEO Dyan Gibbens says.
“We look forward to helping ExxonMobil integrate amazing safety, efficiency, and data-driven technology into their operations.”
Planck Aero awarded contract to produce mobile tethered UAS for tactical ground vehicles
The United States Department of Defense’s Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) has awarded Planck Aerosystems (Planck Aero) a contract worth $2 million to produce mobile tethered UAS that can be integrated onto tactical ground vehicles.
The mobile tethered UAS are equipped with Planck Aero’s autonomy and vision-guided navigation technology, which the company says is ideal for flying from moving platforms, GPS-denied operation, and target detection and tracking.
GA-ASI receives COA to conduct BVLOS flights using Ground-based Sense and Avoid system
The FAA has granted General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc.
DroneResponders surpasses 600 member public safety agencies; launches Fall 2019 Public Safety UAS research survey
DroneResponders, a non-profit program that supports public safety UAS, has announced that it has surpassed 600 member public safety agencies that are operating UAS.
To recognize this milestone, the Florida-based program has launched its Fall 2019 Public Safety UAS research survey, which is designed to collect data from various organizations that use UAS for public safety missions, including emergency management, fire response and law enforcement.
Maui Electric Company to use UAS to conduct routine aerial power line inspections
This week, Maui Electric Company will use UAS and a helicopter to conduct routine aerial power line inspections throughout the island of Maui, weather permitting.
As part of the aerial survey, documentation will be done using a remote light detection and ranging surveying instrument, providing updated maps of the island’s transmission lines and other electrical infrastructure.
A helicopter and inspectors on foot will also assess spans of electrical equipment in areas that have certain air space regulations or limited functioning ranges for the UAS operators.
Airbus Aerial granted waiver to conduct BVLOS ops without visual observer in Grand Forks
The FAA has granted Airbus Aerial a waiver to conduct beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) UAS operations without the need for a visual observer in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Airbus Aerial will perform these flights under the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP).
“UAS are a critical aspect of the future of aviation in America – and, in fact, globally. We are honored to be a part of such an important, historic effort,” says Jesse Kallman, head of Airbus Defense and Space’s Intelligence business activities in North America.