A patent-pending UAS that allows drones to be dispatched autonomously by 911 operators called FIRST iZ has announced a partnership with KnackForge to create control systems hardware and software for its FIRST Port drone port, as well as its launch ecosystem.
Founded in 2011, KnackForge employs development teams across the world. Through this strategic partnership, KnackForge handles the details involved with safely and successfully launching a UAS from a smart hangar, or port, that keeps the UAS charged and ready to fly within seconds of a known need. This involves bringing together power and control hardware with software to remotely manage all scenarios that may occur.
VTOL
VTOL
Elbit Systems' THOR UAS completes series of environmental qualification tests
Last October, it was announced that Elbit Systems was awarded a $153 million contract to provide a networked, multi-layered UAS array to an army in Southeast Asia, including more than 1,000 THOR Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) mini-UAS.
Ahead of the delivery of this technology to the army in Southeast Asia, THOR has successfully completed a series of environmental qualification tests, Elbit Systems has announced.
Oneida County, New York awarded task order for Advanced Air Mobility development
Through a NASA contract with its UAS Test Site at Griffiss International Airport, Oneida County, New York has been awarded an $897,000 task order for Advanced Air Mobility development.
To support high-density vertiport operations that allow for vertical take-off and landing aircraft, the county’s UAS test site, which is one of just seven sanctioned UAS test sites by the FAA in the U.S., will conduct research in automation technology for NASA.
“Oneida County’s long-standing partnership with NASA has proven to be a productive one,” says Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr., who announced the award.
Volansi, NCDOT to begin commercial, middle-mile drone delivery projects in North Carolina
Cargo drone delivery service provider Volansi has signed a teaming agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) to begin commercial, middle-mile drone delivery projects in North Carolina.
Volansi and NCDOT will collaborate with the FAA to gather data on drone delivery programs and how they could be incorporated long-term into the current transportation infrastructure and regulations.
“We are excited to have this opportunity to work closely with the FAA and the N.C. Department of Transportation to help shape how drones fit into our home country’s infrastructure,” says Hannan Parvizian, CEO and co-founder of Volansi.
UAVOS' UVH-170 unmanned helicopter successfully completes first high altitude flight
UAVOS’ UVH-170 unmanned helicopter recently showcased its value to mountainous areas operations by successfully conducting its first high altitude flight and reaching a height of 16,400 feet. During its flight, the UAS performed surveillance missions.
PRICE Systems helps eVTOL aircraft innovators convert the concept of affordably flying
For electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to become a regular part of society, it will be important to realize large economy of scale, there must be enough demand to achieve the critical mass of adoption, and the public must be accepting of the technology, according to Dr. Nate Sirirojvisuth, senior cost research analyst at cost estimating company PRICE Systems.
In an email interview with AUVSI, Sirirojvisuth hypothesizes that eVTOL will likely start off as a niche product in the short term, providing value-added to the most affluent sections of society.
Volansi receives Airmanship Special Award from African Drone Forum
The African Drone Forum awarded Volansi the Airmanship Special Award for its outstanding participation and operational excellence during the Lake Kivu Challenge unmanned aerial vehicle flying competitions.
The Lake Kivu Challenge was part of the 2020 African Drone Forum, which was held in February in Rwanda. The Forum and Challenge were a collaboration between the Government of Rwanda, the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development (DFID/UKAID), and the World Bank Group. The goal of the Forum and Challenge was to demonstrate real-world use cases for autonomous drone delivery across Africa.
Volansi introduces VOLY M20 UAS
During the United States Air Force’s Agility Prime Virtual Trade Show, autonomous VTOL UAS design, manufacturing and service provider Volansi Inc. announced the launch of its newest UAS, the VOLY M20.
Described as a new generation of dual role aircraft, the UAS provides customers with the ability to simultaneously carry 20 pounds of cargo and a 10-pound ISR or sensor payload. According to Volansi, the UAS was designed to meet the exacting requirements of commercial customers that operate in remote maritime locations, as well as military customers who require a flexible vehicle for resupply and ISR applications.
The American-made VOLY M20 has a 350-mile range, cruising at 75 miles per hour, and more than eight hours of endurance for sensor operations.
AeroVironment unveils fully automated reconnaissance UAS
AeroVironment has unveiled Quantix Recon, the company's new lightweight, rapidly deployable, fully-automated reconnaissance UAS that provides ground forces with on-demand actionable intelligence by delivering high resolution, georeferenced terrain, vegetation and infrastructure imagery.
UPS Flight Forward, Wingcopter partner to develop next-gen package delivery drones
UPS Flight Forward (UPSFF) and German drone-maker Wingcopter are partnering to develop the next generation of package delivery drones for various use cases in the United States and internationally.
Wingcopter says that UPS chose it for this collaboration for two reasons: for its UAS technology, and for its track record in delivering a variety of goods over long distances in multiple international settings.
“Drone delivery is not a one-size-fits-all operation,” says Bala Ganesh, vice president of the UPS Advanced Technology Group.
