sUAS News

Andrew Shelley This article summarises key points from a paper recently published in the New Zealand policy journal Policy Quarterly. The paper sets out the rationale for “Counter UAS” (C-UAS), addresses the legal issues that arise in New Zealand, and proposes a licensing regime to enable the implementation of C-UAS. It is increasingly clear that […]

Soon you will be able to see even more aircraft with the latest PilotAware innovation. With an estimated 5000+ UK GA aircraft equipped with Mode-S transponders, it’s a pity that the technology hasn’t been available to plot local Mode-S targets on a tablet or navigational aid. Here’s the good news, it soon will be! PilotAware is […]

Thinking of starting a career in drones? Then look no further! In this post, we walk you through each step to becoming a fully-fledged professional drone pilot. The potential of the drone industry It’s a really exciting time to join the industry, with new drone related jobs emerging every day. And the stats back it up, […]

The CUAS Coalition is proud to announce we are expanding to the UK under the leadership of Ryan McCready of Hex Horus as our newest Director of Europe. Global CUAS protections and regulations must be changed in countries who have laws that prevent their use. The CUAS Coalition has relationships with the US Department of […]

HEX and ProfiCNC are excited to announce the next generation of the HERE navigation modules! These two new products expand the capability of the current HERE family which include: 1. The HERE2 GNSS which adds 10 DOF IMU, ProfiLED’s, along with future CANBUS capability. The HERE2 is the new standard in commercial navigation solutions. 2. […]

B&C Aerial Solutions, along with their partner BirdsiVideo, will present at this year’s National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) conference in Philadelphia. Their presentation is expected to headline the advancements of drone services aimed at creating safer operations, lowering costs, and creating production efficiencies for businesses in the utility industry. With the emergence of drones adding […]

DJI, the world’s leader in civilian drones and aerial imaging technology, has teamed up with Talpa TV’s show ‘Drone Masters’, where seven Dutch celebrities compete and demonstrate their skills and creativity using DJI consumer and prosumer products to win the ‘Drone Master’ title. ‘Drone Masters’ shows that what you can do with a drone is […]

The field of commercial drone applications is constantly expanding. New camera- and sensor systems enable applications, that was hardly viable years ago. Due to these new technologies, the acquisition costs for commercial drone service providers also increase. More serious therefore are crashes, during which the drone, as well as the additional load, are destroyed. In […]

RALEIGH – Drone-based medical deliveries are here. Today, the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Division of Aviation has teamed up with WakeMed Health & Hospitals and Matternet to conduct the first round of test flights for drones to carry simulated medical packages packages from Raleigh Medical Park, located across from WakeMed Raleigh Campus on Sunnybrook Road, to […]

WiBotic, a leader in wireless charging and power optimization solutions for the robotics industry, today announced a new wireless power system for the DJI Matrice 200 (M200) and DJI Matrice 210 (M210). Known for their durability in outdoor elements, the M200 and M210 are two of most advanced new commercial drones by DJI. The easy-to-install WiBotic wireless power system […]

This story is a Q&A that started after I posted the RCAPA (Proposed) Special Rule for Micro Unmanned Aircraft on Facebook. It would appear that there is similar langue in the latest iterations of the FAA reauthorization, and I figure it might be a good idea to share with folks where it came from. Reader […]

uAvionix and FLARM Technology today announced a partnership to collaborate on Electronic Conspicuity (EC) and Detect and Avoid (DAA) solutions for manned and unmanned aircraft. uAvionix specializes in ADS-B, Secondary Surveillance Radar (SSR) transponders, and GNSS position sources for manned and unmanned aircraft. FLARM specializes in situational awareness and active DAA solutions for General Aviation and unmanned aircraft. […]

Syracuse, NY – The Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance (NUAIR Alliance) and Griffiss International Airport announced today a new partnership with Unifly, a European company with a unique software application that enables unmanned traffic management (UTM) systems to visualize and manage drone traffic in the airspace. The partnership will provide enhanced unmanned traffic management […]

Melbourne, Florida-based Invisible Interdiction, has launched the second of the Ghoul Tool line of drone countermeasures for the military, law enforcement, and counter-terror forces. The GTFS represents the culmination of more than three years’ experience designing systems for the control of drones. The GTFS works by breaking the command & control or navigation radio links […]

SimActive Inc., a world-leading developer of photogrammetry software, is proud to announce new features to improve volumetric calculation. Correlator3D™ now has integrated tools for users to generate precise statistics on mining activities. Applications like mineral extraction monitoring can all be done seamlessly within the software. Users can process raw drone data, produce point clouds and […]

Typhon UDX eVTOL Edition is the first integrated design, analysis, optimization and simulation software on the market created to minimize the time and resources required to develop innovative personal aerial vehicles and eVTOLs. The emerging market of personal aerial vehicles and electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft is rapidly expanding with new players and […]

BAAM Tech releases their new PPK system for the DJI Phantom for $2,500 installed on the Phantom 4. The system is designed to streamline the mapping process and reduce cost significantly. On top of eliminating control points, the GPS slides in and out of the aircraft and the same unit can be used in other […]

Phase One Industrial, a leading provider of aerial imaging solutions, today launched the iXM-RS metric camera series and new Aerial Systems. The flagship iXM-RS150F camera is full frame, 150 megapixels and available in RGB and Achromatic models. Its ultra-high resolution (14204 x10652) backside illuminated CMOS sensor, fast capture speed (2 fps) and enhanced light sensitivity […]

RoboMaster, a yearly robotics competition for aspiring young engineers and University students, concluded its 2018 competition at the Shenzhen Bay Stadium in Shenzhen, China. The winning team from the South China University of Technology took home the gold trophy along with RMB 500,000 (approximately $73,000 USD) as the grand prize. Close to 200 teams and close […]

AT&T is taking part in a proof of concept with Softbox to test connected medical payloads carried by drones. The goal? Successfully and safely deliver temperature-sensitive medicines using drones. An LTE-connected drone carrying Softbox’s thermal-insulated packaging system “Skypod,” which includes a smartbox powered by AT&T’s Internet of Things (IoT) technology, successfully completed demonstration flights. The field […]

A small crowd was gathered on the lawn in a neighborhood outside Blacksburg, squinting up into to the sunlight as a drone zoomed into view over the treeline and hovered above the grass. A tidy, aerodynamic brown trapezoid descended on a tether and settled on the ground, and the drone headed back the way it […]

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems for both defense and commercial applications, today announced its MacCready Works lab has donated automated Quantix™ hybrid drones, spare parts and AeroVironment’s Decision Support System (AV DSS™) analytics software to West Point to support the military academy’s Center for Innovation and Engineering and Geography and Environmental Engineering […]

SkySpecs, the award-winning provider of robotics solutions for the wind energy industry, today announces the opening of a new office in Amsterdam, Netherlands. SkySpecs has been working with leading customers in Europe since 2017 and plans to continue both onshore and offshore growth in 2019 and beyond. “A European presence represents a strategic expansion for […]

INDIANAPOLIS. BirdsiVideo (www.birdsivideo.com) hosted an educational seminar on drone technology with the Raleigh Read-and-Go program and Center for Design Innovation of Winston-Salem on July 11, 2018. Roger Armstrong, franchise owner of BirdsiVideo of the Triad LLC, gave a 30 minute presentation covering FAA and North Carolina state laws regarding drone usage. The presentation also showed […]

Fulmar is the aerial system piloted by remote control used by Thales Spain to participate in the Ministry of Defense Rapaz Project, and which opts to become the future RPAS of the Spanish Armed Forces. It is one of the types of equipment for Thales to demonstrate its commitment to a technological field that affects […]

As armed forces have increasingly deployed unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in larger numbers generating vast amounts of video data to be analysed, the pressing need to automate the processing of this data to the greatest extent possible has become abundantly clear. The introduction of software that can automatically detect potential objects in real-time through analysis […]

Australian-developed on-board Command and Control system automatically perceives, processes and reacts in coordination with other unmanned vehicles. BRISBANE, Australia, August 17, 2018 – Boeing [NYSE: BA] has successfully completed the first suite of synchronised unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight tests using new onboard autonomous command and control technology developed by Boeing in Australia. Conducted at a regional Queensland […]

The COPTRZ Comprehensive CAA PfCO Training Course will allow you to gain the full up-to-date package of skills, knowledge and experience needed to apply for your Permission for Commercial Operations (PfCO) from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). During the course, you will gain a thorough understanding of the current UK air law and operations standards […]

Lausanne, Switzerland – Urban traffic congestion is a huge headache for all major cities, with public transport infrastructures often crowded and roads frustratingly busy for drivers. How long will it be before humans take to the skies for reliable, quick transport around the city? The major question hovering over the future of air taxis is that […]

Two weeks ago, an interagency team of UAV operators arrived in Redding, California to assist in disaster response to the tragic Carr Fire. My role was as a drone data analyst processing and visualizing incoming data. In any large-scale emergency, there can be periods of downtime followed by intense pressures and workload. The Carr fire […]

The notifications are beginning to arrive in my inbox and the most complete comes from Heliguy in the UK. Less than an hour to go to the DJI Mavic 2 launch event and a UK price is seen, £1,299.00 this includes one year’s worth of Heliguy crash cover for free! At this price, one has to wonder if […]

ACUO applauds the final Report of the Senate Standing Committee on Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport, following its Inquiry into Regulatory requirements that impact on the safe use of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Unmanned Aerial Systems and associated systems. “The report demonstrates the Committee gained a thorough understanding of Drones and their associated issues,” […]

GNSS receiver manufacturer Septentrio announces today the addition of the AsteRx-i S to its GNSS/INS product portfolio. The AsteRx-i S combines Septentrio’s compact, multi-frequency multi-constellation GNSS engine with ultralight external industrial grade MEMS based IMU. Calibrated for wide temperature ranges, the AsteRx-i S delivers accurate and reliable GNSS/IMU integrated positioning to the cm-level as well […]

MUNCIE—On Saturday, August 18, middle and high school students from across the US competed in the UAS4STEM program’s national competition at the International Aeromodeling Center in Muncie, Indiana. The student teams built their own drones and competed in various flying challenges for a shot at the national title. The challenge is designed to encourage students to learn […]

Insitu Inc., Bingen, Washington, is awarded a $53,965,378 firm-fixed-price contract to procure four full-rate production, Lot II RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aircraft systems and eight attrition air vehicles; seven for the Marine Corps and one for the government of Poland. Additionally, this contract award includes the procurement of ground control stations, launch and recovery equipment, shipboard […]

UAVAIR is a drone education provider who have been selected as the preferred tenderer to the Australian Army who are the largest, most experienced and safest operator of drones in the country. UAVAIR will provide training across 10 locations around Australia with 840 Army soldiers receiving training. Speaking at the Randwick Army Barracks with Army […]

With the signing of a partnership memorandum with Hong Kong and Italy — based Atmosoar, Soar users will soon be able to get hyper-local weather forecasts over the Soar platform. With weather a key factor in planning and executing safe drone flights, Atmosoar’s high-resolution weather forecasting and AI-enhanced flight safety dashboards will ensure Soar users […]

As reported previously, the government intends to introduce new laws to address the perceived safety, security and privacy threats that arise from the increasing use of drones. These new rules will affect model flying. We would encourage members to support the model flying associations, and your hobby, by responding to the public consultation. We have […]

SAN FRANCISCO – DroneDeploy, a drone software platform with the largest drone data repository in the world, today announced the release of Map Engine— the industry’s first machine learning-driven photogrammetry software. This release comes after a successful beta period where it processed 30K maps per month for more than 4,000 clients across 180 countries. DroneDeploy’s […]

Aireon and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) announced today, that Air Navigation Service Providers (ANSPs), Aircraft Operators, Regulators and Search and Rescue Organizations can now pre-register for their free, global Aircraft Locating and Emergency Response Tracking (ALERT) service. The Aireon ALERT service will provide the last known position of an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)-equipped aircraft that is in […]

On June 19, 2018 Garmin International Inc. and Garmin USA Inc. sued uAvionix for patent infringement. Garmin alleges the uAvionix echoUAT and skyBeacon’s method of obtaining an installed transponder’s Mode 3/A code and altitude infringes their U.S. Patent No. 8,102,301 (“the 301 Patent”). We do not infringe the 301 Patent. uAvionix has our own patent-pending […]

Mobilicom’s Mobile Mission Management System is part of Mobilicom’s Holistic framework for disaster relief situations which reduces the crew overload ISDEF Japan 2018, stand C-04 [August, 2018]: Mobilicom Ltd., a global mission-critical-communications solution provider, will present its Mobile Mission Management System, which is part of Mobilicom’s Holistic framework for disaster relief situations, at ISDEF Japan […]

Dignitaries, industry leaders gather to mark new BVLOS capabilities for large UAS (Grand Forks, N.D.) – Aug. 20, 2018 ­– Grand Sky, the first and only fully operational commercial unmanned aerial systems (UAS)-focused research and development park in the U.S.,announced beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flight operations for large UAS have begun at the […]

The Sky Guys, Canada’s top drone operator, announced this week they have been granted a Special Flight Operations Certificate (SFOC), a permit for commercial Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) flights, for its landmark development project, the DX-3 “Vanguard”. The permit allows The Sky Guys to perform testing that will put the DX-3 through critical elements of integrated flight testing, including […]

Aerodyne Group are pleased to announce today that they have consolidated their presence in Latin America with a dedicated regional headquarters in Santiago, Chile. Aerodyne Chile becomes the latest addition to the Aerodyne Group, at a time when they are experiencing unprecedented growth and demand for solutions from around the world. From their base in the central […]

The FAA, Department of Defense, and certain members of congress are looking to remove a current section of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act that directly protects model aviation hobbyists. This protection called “Rule 336” exempts those involved in model aviation for “hobby & recreation” from serious & unnecessary regulation from the FAA. The FAA […]

RALEIGH – The N.C. Department of Transportation will hold a public meeting in Raleigh Aug. 30 to provide information about its program to test the use of commercial drones for the delivery of medical supplies. The NCDOT was selected in May as one of only 10 participants in the Federal Aviation Administration’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS, […]

Neil Kidd, Chief Technology Officer Altitude Angel There are some substantial changes to the airspace around San Francisco. Most of these changes are to airspace above 400’, but the most significant change for drone operators is that the Class B volume around SFO changed shape. This is particularly important as Class B affects both Part […]

The Carr fire was my second trip to a disaster zone in California as a data analyst supporting public agency UAV teams. In both this fire and the Tubb’s fire in Santa Rosa last October, my role has been to coordinate drone data capture and mapping products to the right people across the disaster management […]

VSA working to create high-tech jobs and partnerships with area universities Valkyrie Systems Aerospace (VSA), a cutting-edge developer of manned/unmanned aerial platforms, is proud to announce an exciting partnership with the State of Oklahoma. This partnership will ultimately accommodate manufacturing facilities, as well as flight operations and training in the greater Oklahoma City area. https://youtu.be/ur3i4G-ezC0 […]