UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air Mobility

A loyal wingman is unveiled by Boeing, special ops drones for training exercises, safe and effective volcano research, remote ID technology partners announced, crushing rocks and measuring the pile with a drone, and PPE delivery to the home.

UAV NewsBoeing rolls out first Loyal Wingman unmanned aircraft

The first unmanned Loyal Wingman aircraft has been presented to the Royal Australian Air Force by a Boeing-led Australian industry team. The aircraft is the first to be designed, engineered, and manufactured in Australia in more than 50 years. This is the first of three prototypes for Australia’s Loyal Wingman Advanced Development Program. Next comes ground testing, followed by taxi and first flight later in 2020. It is the foundation for the Airpower Teaming System (ATS) being developed by Boeing for the global defense market.

Video: Boeing Unveils First Loyal Wingman Aircraft

US special operations troops turn to drones to remotely advise Iraqis

Physical distancing during the coronavirus pandemic has come to military operations. U.S. special operations troops have been using drones to train security forces in Iraq. Advisers with the Special Operations Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve use the remotely piloted aircraft to record the training exercises, then review the footage and provide feedback on the Iraqi troops’ tactics.

The drone revolution in volcano research

Active volcanoes are dangerous for researchers and scientists often study them with helicopters and satellite imagery. But some areas, like lava lakes, are difficult or impossible to access. Now volcanologists are using drones to study the Nyiaragongo volcano in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Drones images are much higher resolution than alternatives and much lower cost than helicopter or satellite imaging.

Press Release – U.S. Department of Transportation Announces Technology Partners for Remote ID Development

The FAA announced that eight companies will assist the government in establishing technology requirements for future suppliers of Remote Identification (Remote ID): Airbus, AirMap, Amazon, Intel, One Sky, Skyward, T-Mobile, and Wing. They were selected through a previous Request for Information process. The technology requirements that result will govern the applications created by future Remote ID UAS Service Suppliers. These applications will provide in-flight drone identification and location information to safety and security authorities.

McMurry Ready Mix Boosts Inventory Management and Mine Mapping Effectiveness with Kespry’s Touchless, Drone-Based Aerial Intelligence Platform

A large Wyoming producer of aggregates and ready-mix is using Kespry drones for inventory management, mine mapping, and auditing. In 2019 alone, McMurry Ready Mix conducted 270 flights with Kespry. McMurry Ready Mix General Manager Rob Jongsma said, “We use Kespry a lot. And the great thing is, whether we use it 30 or 300 times in a year, the cost to us doesn’t change…”

Dive Delivery Begins Backyard Drone Deliveries of Essential Goods in San Mateo & Contra Costa Counties (CA)

Dive Delivery plans to deliver face masks and other lightweight items to residential backyards using off-the-shelf drones equipped with drop mechanisms. Pilots will operate under Part 107 rules making visual line of sight (VLOS) deliveries. Residents of San Mateo and Contra Costa counties in California can sign up to participate in the trials. This is “last-mile delivery.” BVLOS delivery is pending UTM technology from the regulator.

The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a report showing the benefits of blockchain for unmanned aircraft. Also, drone cinematographers and a labor agreement, a drone modeled after a dragonfly, VTOL reconnaissance, AI controllers, and AUVSI virtual sessions.

UAV NewsUS Transportation Dept. Says Blockchain Could Bring More Trust to Commercial Drones

In a report titled Blockchain for Unmanned Aircraft, the U.S. Department of Transportation says blockchain could help in areas with large numbers of drones operations, especially near high-risk areas like airports or in crowded areas. The report says “Blockchain technology is being looked on to deliver a framework that can be used by stakeholders in the commercial drone industry, as it can ensure security and provide for identity management as well as providing a supporting role in aircraft traffic management, UAS conflict management and flight authorization.”

Cinematographers Guild Celebrates Drone Victory Over Warner Bros. in Arbitration

The International Cinematographers Guild initiated arbitration over a dispute with Warner Bros. The Guild said drone operators filming for productions are covered under the labor agreement. Those who work in “all phases of motion and still picture photography,” including members of a drone crew, should be treated the same as aerial directors of photography, camera operators, and camera technicians. They say the drone crew should get the same health and pension benefits.

The stealthy little drones that fly like insects

Animal Dynamics is a technology start-up that takes lessons from wildlife and applies them to drone design. The Skeeter project uses flapping wings to power a small hand-launched drone, mimicking the dragonfly.

AeroVironment unveils fully-automated hybrid vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft system

The AeroVironment Quantix™ Recon is a lightweight and rapidly deployable reconnaissance solution that is fully-automated. It produces high resolution, georeferenced terrain, vegetation, and infrastructure imagery. The VTOL transitions to a fixed-wing unmanned aircraft and can survey up to 0.6 square miles or 12.4 linear miles with a 45-minute flight time. The aerial imagery data is compatible with many geographic information systems (GIS)

Hybrid Drones: Coupling Disruptive Mechanisms to Reshape UAV Industry

The MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL), Dartmouth, and the University of Washington have developed an AI-based system that uses “reinforcement learning” to train the model. This approach is being applied to VTOL designs that transition from vertical to horizontal flight. The AI works with the popular OnShape CAD software.

AUVSI Launches UAS Webinars

AUVSI postponed XPONENTIAL 2020 (tentatively scheduled for August 10-12, 2020). In the meantime, five webinars will be offered starting May 4, 2020:

1. Digital Twins – the Future of Virtual and Mixed Reality Robotic Avatars
2. Drone Delivery Supporting Public Health
3. NASA’s Vision and Role to Enable Urban Air Mobility
4. Advancing Autonomy Through DARPA Challenge to Benefit First Responders
5. Aerial Connectivity Joint Activity – Bridging the Gap Between Cellular and Aviation

Checking up on the public with a “pandemic drone,” a COVID-19 inspired BVLOS exemption, duck watching with drones, an unmanned BVLOS helicopter for humanitarian relief, how pre-historic flying reptiles could lead to better drones, and will fuel cells power eVTOL aircraft?

UAV NewsConnecticut town tests ‘pandemic drone’ to find fevers. Experts question if it would work.

The Westport Connecticut Police Department plans to test a drone that can tell is someone has a fever or is coughing. First Selectman Jim Marpe says they want to “explore ways to prevent a possible resurgence of the virus.” The police department said that the Draganfly drone could help to “provide better health monitoring support for potential at-risk groups.”

US regulator grants exemption for drone flight during lockdown

An unnamed Houston, Texas oil and gas company has been given a waiver to fly BVLOS for critical infrastructure inspection missions. The company has a manpower shortage because of the pandemic and the waiver is good until June 30 or “the expiration of the federal, state, or local Covid-19 recommendations or requirements.”

Of ducks and drones: Researchers gear up for inaugural field season using UAVs to monitor ducks and nesting behavior

UND graduate students and their advisor plan to go duck watching. They want to monitor nearly 60 duck nests using fixed-wing and quadcopter UAVs with high-tech cameras. Flights were conducted last summer with fixed-wing and quadcopter drones to see how the ducks reacted.

UAVOS Completes Tests For UAV Delivery Service Humanitarian Relief

UAVOS Inc. has successfully tested its cargo delivery UVH-170 unmanned helicopter designed for highly automated delivery flights from a vendor to a destination and back. The flights follow pre-selected routes. The trial flight took 1.7 hours, over 62 miles carrying a 17½ pound package.

Wing structure of prehistoric flying reptiles that lived more than 200 million years ago could hold the key to developing a new generation of super drones

Two hundred million years ago, giant flying reptiles ruled the skies. At 650 pounds with a 35-foot wingspan, they were the largest animals ever to fly. Like a bat, they used a membrane to fly instead of feathers. They also had internal structures called actinofibrils for extra strength and structural support. A University of Bristol team thinks we could learn lessons from the pterosaurs that might help large UAVs launch and remain stable in flight.

Will Hydrogen Fuel Cells Play a Role in the VTOL Revolution?

Most companies developing eVTOLs have settled on all-electric aircraft using lithium-ion batteries. But are hydrogen fuel cells a better choice? HyPoint in Menlo Park, California demonstrated an air-cooled hydrogen fuel cell powertrain that produces 1000 watts per kilogram of specific power with an energy density of 530 watt-hours per kg. The next HyPoint product is to provide a specific power of 2,000 W/kg and 960 Wh/kg energy density. Fuel cells look good for longer-range aircraft, but may not be as suitable for short-range from a weight factor standpoint.

Altavian and the Sinclair National UAS Training and Certification Center team up to 3D print and distribute PPE masks, coronavirus resources from Drone Girl, US government anti-drone guidelines, a 360-degree onboard detect-and-avoid system, and an omnidirectional drone.

UAV NewsSinclair, Altavian partner to use 3-D technology to print masks

Drone manufacturer Altavian teamed up with doctors from local hospitals and improved on a 3D-printed PPE mask design from the Billings Clinic. It uses recycled materials commonly found in hospitals, is reusable, and was has N95-99 filter material. The 3D printing equipment at the Sinclair College National UAS Training and Certification Center lab is being used to produce mask shells. Altavian set up the non-profit “American Mask Rally” to accept donations and to distribute the PPE masks to frontline medical professionals. The site has a Paypal donate link.

Coronavirus Resources

The Drone Girl set up a webpage with drone-related Coronavirus resources, including something to do at home involving drones, resources for small business owners, at-home drone lesson plans for parents and teachers, the status of all the major 2020 drone conferences, and how drones are being used during the pandemic.

US Attorney General issues guidelines for government anti-drone measures

US Attorney General William Barr issued guidelines for how federal agencies can monitor and take out drones:

• Justice Department agencies such as the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Prisons may intercept drone communications
• They can maintain records of those communications for up to 180 days.
• Agencies may seek approval for the use of counter-drone technologies and request designation of facilities or assets for protection.
• Agencies must work with the FAA to conduct risk-based assessments to examine the impact of operations on the national airspace.
• Policies should be sensitive to the legitimate use of unmanned aircraft by parties, including the press.

Iris Automation Announces Casia 360, the First Onboard Detect-and-Avoid System for Drones with 360-Degree Capability

The Casia 360 is a computer vision detect-and-avoid (DAA) system with a 360-degree radial field of view. Iris Automation says this will enable commercial BVLOS operations for UAS. Casia is a combination of both hardware and software, and detects other aircraft in all directions. Casia 360 is available for commercial sales preorder, although the initial limited launch of the 360 system has sold out and this system is currently on back-order.

Researchers show off mind-blowing omnidirectional drone

An experimental omnidirectional drone has been built by engineers from ETH Zurich. This drone can hover or fly in any direction, in any orientation.

Video: Design and optimal control of a tiltrotor micro aerial vehicle for efficient omnidirectional flight

Photographs drawn with a drone, a General Atomics SkyGuardian demonstration flight, an electric flying car racing series, a proposal for a drone emoji, 5G drones and networks, using drones while on quarantine, and autonomous resupply for the military.

UAV NewsDrawing With Drones Over the Salt Flats of Bolivia

Professional photographer Reubin Wu is using LED-equipped drones to make amazing photographs at the salt flats in Bolivia. For some images, Wu uses light from the drone to illuminate the subject. For others, he “draws” shapes in a time exposure. He calls them aeroglyphs.

GA-ASI Flies SkyGuardian in So Cal NAS as Part of NASA Demonstration

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) flew its SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft as part of a joint flight demonstration with NASA. GA-ASI and NASA have worked together since 2014 to demonstrate the safety of flying large UAS in the National Airspace System. This is under NASA’s Systems Integration and Operationalization (SIO) activity.

It’s Happening: Airspeeder Flying Car Company Gets Cash Infusion

Airspeeder calls itself the world’s first electric flying car racing series. Under the proposed series, each team would get an Airspeeder chassis or two, engines, and spares. Teams would be free to develop speeder parts to gain a competitive advantage. The hope is that the series will advance the technology and the regulatory standards needed to make flying cars viable commercially.

Video: This is Airspeeder | World's first premium eVTOL racing league

Where Is The Drone Emoji?

DroneUp submitted a proposal to the Unicode Consortium for a drone emoji. Consider signing the petition: Add a Drone Emoji to the Unicode Consortium.

Early 5G drones face slow upload speeds and frequent 4G handovers

Austrian researchers say early 5G drones and networks might not be ready. They can’t maintain consistent 5G connections, which limits their data transfer rates. Max says, “Don’t hold your breath.”

23 Ways People Stay Connected Using Drones While in Quarantine

Drones are being used to cope with pandemic quarantines, and to counter the virus. Here’s a list.

FAA investigating mystery drone telling New Yorkers to socially distance

The FAA is investigating whether a drone filmed telling New Yorkers to socially distance was violating aviation regulations. Using a loudspeaker, the drone proclaims, “This is the Anti-COVID-19 volunteer drone task force. Please maintain a social distance of at least six feet. Again, please maintain social distancing.”

Autonomous Resupply for Military is Flying Into Reality [PDF]

Near Earth Autonomy has developed unmanned aerial contingency management systems as part of a Joint Capabilities Technology (JCTD) Unmanned Logistics Systems Aerial (ULS-A) Demonstration. Near Earth’s technology offers obstacle avoidance for safe flight and landing enabling reliable cargo delivery in dynamic environments. 

Mentioned

Chris Anderson, The Drone Trainer, is offering free drone courses during April 2020 to help battle quarantine boredom. There is a real estate drone course and a drone mapping course that are regularly $199 each, but free this month. Learn more at thedronetrainer.com/covid.

Drones fight the pandemic through cloud-based drone technology, spraying disinfectant, and medical deliveries. Also, a first responder drone endurance challenge, NOAA’s new unmanned systems program, and some free drone training.

UAV NewsNew NOAA program to support and expand agency’s use of unmanned systems

NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, continues to expand their use of UAS to collect high-quality environmental data. To support this, NOAA is establishing a new Unmanned Systems Operations Program. The deputy NOAA administrator said, “Unmanned airborne and maritime systems are transforming how we conduct earth science at NOAA. Our new Unmanned Systems Operations Program will help us dramatically increase the application and use of these technologies in every NOAA mission area.”

The new program will be housed at two locations:

• The NOAA Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland, Florida, will continue to support the agency’s unmanned aircraft activities. 
• A new facility being built by the Mississippi State Port Authority in partnership with the University of Southern Mississippi in Gulfport, Mississippi, will support unmanned maritime systems.

The new Unmanned Systems Operations Program was a key goal of NOAA’s recently released  Unmanned Systems Strategy.

Emergency responders seek the last drone standing

The Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Safety Public Safety Communications Research has launched the First Responder UAS Endurance Challenge with cash prizes totaling $552,000. The challenge is designed to keep a UAS and its payload airborne for the longest time possible supporting first responders on the ground. Concept papers are due April 30, 2020.

First Responder UAS Endurance Challenge YouTube Channel

Drones Provide Planetary Protection During Pandemics and CT Company is Prepping to Power Them!

Aquiline Drones uses cloud-based technology to build drone-based solutions, The AD Cloud programs UAVs and unmanned ground-based vehicles (UGVs) with cloud-based command and control to conduct tasks such as:

• Delivery of medical supplies to front-line healthcare workers
• Transport of test results to labs
• Delivery of medicine and urgent supplies to individuals quarantined at home
• Disinfectant spraying into public pandemic areas
• Serving as mobile public speakers to inform people of safety measures and tips
• Patrolling high-risk areas with photoelectric sensors to enforce curfews
• Monitoring health of employees with heat signature, infrared cameras
• 24-hour surveillance of critical infrastructure

Kuala Lumpur is testing drones to sanitize high-rise buildings

Using manned crews to spray disinfectants is expensive and poses a safety risk. Test flights of spray drones are underway in Kuala Lumpur.

Coronavirus: Should the UK use drones to disinfect public spaces?

Some UK drone experts want prohibitions against spraying relaxed. They’d like to see drones spray disinfectant in public areas. Authorities aren’t convinced it’s effective.

Zipline will bring its medical delivery drones to the U.S. to help fight the coronavirus

Zipline has used drones effectively in Africa and they had intended to come to the U.S. later in 2020. But now Zipline wants to move that up. They envision:

• Home equipment deliveries enabling telemedicine
• Delivery of specialty medicines that aren’t available at local drugstores.
• Delivery of masks and other PPE.
• Vaccine delivery, when it becomes available

In a 2019 exercise with the Department of Defense, Zipline only took a couple of weeks to set up a new system.

What to do at home…Using LAANC to Fly Drones in Controlled Airspace

This free course shows you the information you need to fly your drone in controlled airspace. Other King Schools drone test prep courses include:

• The Drone Pilot License Test Prep prepares you for your FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate exam. 
• If you have had your Drone Pilot certificate for almost two years, it is time to renew your certificate. The King Schools Drone Pilot License Recurrent Test Prep Course helps you prepare for this exam.

An FAA Request For Information from low altitude operators, drones with super-fast reaction times, the Northern Plains UAS Test site wants to deliver packages, drone deliveries are underway in a small Virginia town, a European program to integrate drones into the airspace, UPS and Wingcopter plan for drone deliveries, using quadcopters to map inaccessible historic ruins, and Reaper replacements.

UAV NewsFAA Seeks Information on Low Altitude Operators for UAS Rulemaking

The FAA wants to hear from operators who fly at low altitudes, such as pilots who fly aerial firefighting, agriculture, survey, pipeline and infrastructure patrols. The FAA Request for Information is titled: FAA Low Altitude Manned Aviator Participation In UAS Remote Identification Request for Information. “This RFI seeks input from the manned aviation community regarding whether and/or how they can potentially receive and use UAS remote ID information to further enhance safety, by reducing collision risks at lower altitudes.” Responses will be accepted until April 16, 2020.

Researchers from the University of Zurich have demonstrated a drone that can detect and avoid fast-moving objects

Researchers have fitted a quadcopter with what they call “Event Cameras” and used algorithms that allow a reaction time of a few milliseconds. The results are published in the journal Science Robotics. The PhD student that authored the paper says, “Our ultimate goal is to make one-day autonomous drones navigate as good as human drone pilots. Currently, in all search and rescue applications where drones are involved, the human is actually in control. If we could have autonomous drones navigate as reliable as human pilots we would then be able to use them for missions that fall beyond line of sight or beyond the reach of the remote control.”

ND Sen, UAS test team working with FAA on drone delivery waiver

The Northern Plains UAS Test site had asked the FAA to consider allowing drone delivery operations. Now Senator John Hoeven, has asked the FAA’s Administer, Stephen Dickson, to allow the use of drones to deliver supplies to areas in urgent need: “Small UAS can accelerate the delivery of critically-needed supplies across the country, such as food and medicine, saving time and money, while also reducing the risks of transmitting COVID-19. We’re working with the FAA to get the right waivers in place so these kinds of low-risk, high-reward operations can move forward.”

Virginia Town Where Drone Deliveries are Daily

Christiansburg, Virginia is a small town of about 22,000 people south of Roanoke, right on I-81. In October 2019, the Wing subsidiary of Alphabet started deliveries by drone and Christiansburg became the first town in the U.S. to see drone delivery to a customer’s doorstep.

SUGUS kicks off, a European project for integrating drones into airspace

SUGUS is an 18-month, 485,000-euro, European Union R&D project – the “Solution for E-GNSS U‑Space Service.” It’s designed to speed up the takeup of GNSS and Galileo in the UAV segment. GMV has been awarded the project to lead the consortium. A series of trials will be held to show the benefits of E-GNSS for drone operators as well as its approval by aviation authorities.

Wingcopter flies into delivery partnership with UPS

UPS Flight Forward (UPSFF) and German UAV startup Wingcopter are collaborating to develop a next-generation delivery drone solution for packages. UPS Flight Forward says they are “building a network of technology partners to broaden our unique capability to serve customers and extend our leadership in drone delivery.” Wingcopter VTOL drones have four rotors that swivel 90 degrees, a range of 75 miles, autonomous flight capabilities, and the ability to fly in extreme weather.

Exploring Shetland’s uninhabited Kame of Isbister with GNSS and UAV

The Kame of Isbister is an uninhabited rocky promontory in Shetland. There are old structures there that are not visible from the sea or the nearby land. This inaccessible location is being studied using drones to create a 3D model as well as an orthomosaic and digital terrain model. The team consists of Shetland Flyer Aerial Media, Shetland College UHI, and the Institute for Northern Studies.

Could a commercial drone replace the MQ-9 Reaper? The Air Force is considering it.

The Air Force assistant secretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, said the service is working on a study for the fiscal 2022 budget that will describe how the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper can be replaced, possibly by several different unmanned aircraft.

Unmanned aircraft and the Coronavirus (COVID-19), a new Drone Racing League Academy to teach STEM, EHang looks to Europe with their autonomous aerial vehicle, a radar cross-section database for malicious drone identification, and a flying car that looks like a car.

UAV NewsSpanish police are using drones to scold citizens who go outside

Many countries are combating the coronavirus by asking (or telling) people to self-quarantine and practice social distancing. But not everyone is doing that. Police in Spain are responding using drones fitted with speakers to admonish people who aren’t doing their part.

Disinfecting Drones to Fight COVID-19? No Thanks, Says Defense Department

China has been using quadcopters to spray disinfectant and some companies in the U.S. have proposed the same. However, the U.S. Defense Department says they have no plans to do this. Same for the National Guard, the U.S. Special Operations Command, and DARPA (the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). But Droneresponders is exploring “all use case options in response to COVID19.”

Drone Racing League launches DRL Academy

The Drone Racing League launched the DRL Academy, a STEM program for school kids with the main focus on drones. DRL partnered with the National Geospatial Technology Center of Excellence, West Valley College, Eduscape, and New Jersey City University. If you are interested in the DRL Academy, you can email them at [email protected].

EHang Gets Operational Flight Permit from CAA Norway

The EHang 216 two-seat autonomous aerial vehicle has received an operational flight permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway (CAA). Flights for testing and certification are planned with a local customer.

EHang, city government of Seville partner to launch first UAM pilot program in Spain

EHang has an agreement with the city of Seville, Spain to develop passenger transportation, air logistics, and command and control platforms in the city. Seville is a member of the UAM Initiative Cities Community which was launched by the EU’s European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities project.

Team scans drones of different shapes and sizes to counter terrorist attack risk

Researchers are building a database of drone radar cross-sections (RCS) that could help identify malicious UAVs. Commercial and custom-built drones are being measured. The research was published in IEEE Access. The measurement data is available to the public.

Ascent Makes UAM Plans With eVTOL Group Urban Aeronautics

The Metro Skyways subsidiary of Urban Aeronautics is developing a six-seat hydrogen-powered eVTOL called CityHawk. Their Singapore partner is Ascent and they are seeking to develop urban air mobility services in Asia.

DJI brings out the guns in its criticism of the Remote ID proposal, the Air Force has new medical standards for RPA pilots, a better communications antenna for UAVs, a draft executive order that would ban Chinese drones from the federal government, and using drones to speed 5G deployment.

UAV NewsDJI urges FAA to reconsider Remote ID NPRM

The comment period for the FAA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems is closed, but not before DJI submitted an 89-page formal comment. The FAA estimated its proposed Remote ID rules would cost about $582 million over the next 10 years. In the report prepared by NERA Economic Consulting, the cost was calculated at $5.6 billion over that period. DJI has demonstrated a direct “drone-to-phone” wi-fi based solution.

Medical standards changing for RPA pilots

Effective February 28, 2020, the Air Force changed the medical standards for remotely piloted aircraft pilots. Previously, graduating RPA students had to meet the medical standards designed for aircrew operating at altitude. Now, these Airmen will only need to meet the Ground-Based Operator medical standards.

New Antenna Will Boost UAV Communication with Satellites

Chinese researchers have developed a compact saber-shaped antenna for UAVs that can switch between two radiation patterns for better communication coverage. The new antenna incorporates a monopole perpendicular to the ground with an omnidirectional pattern and a dipole parallel to the ground with a broadside pattern. Published in a study in IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

US is preparing to ban foreign-made drones from government use

TechCrunch says the Trump administration is preparing to ban federal departments and agencies from buying or using foreign-made drones. This would be accomplished through an executive order that would effectively ban foreign-made drones or drones made with foreign components.

Afraid of heights? Drones, AI and digitalization to the rescue!

Deployment of 5G communications has some serious obstacles, including the need for many more antennas. Ericsson is using drones to speed the site survey process and build 3D site models that can be used for engineering decisions.

Announcement

The 14th annual UAS Summit & Expo is scheduled for September 1-2, 2020 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks North Dakota. The event is produced and organized by UAS Magazine and BBI International.

Holographic radar for drone detection, inspecting the Tokyo underground, good uses for drones at airports, delivery drones in China, Elon Musk has another prediction, a drone delivery proposal for Long Island Sound, an eVTOL prototype goes up in flames, and NASA’s Autonomous Navigation Demonstration Challenge.

UAV NewsAveillant’s Holographic Radar and Fortem Technologies’ Complete End-to-End Counter UAV Solution

The UK National Beyond Visual Line of Sight Experimentation Corridor (NBEC) was created to test new technologies that integrate unmanned aircraft into the airspace. A counter-UAS holographic radar from Aveillant was used to detect and track several different drones. Counter drone systems developer Operational Solutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airways New Zealand for a drone detection system based on Aveillant’s radar technology. This is being trialed at Auckland Airport. Fortem Technologies has also developed an autonomous Counter UAV solution using TrueView R30, a holographic radar similar to Aveillant’s Gamekeeper.

Drones used to inspect Tokyo’s subway tunnels

Tokyo Metro is using drones to inspect almost 200 km of tunnels. The drones reduce the need for scaffolding and heavy equipment. The drone has a 22 cm diameter, weighs 1.15 kg, and can fly for up to five minutes. It’s surrounded by a spherical cage with LED lights and sends video to a monitor where workers look for any defects in the tunnel. The drone also takes photos for later inspection.

Good drones: the UAVs changing airport operations for the better

Three ways drones can work positively with airport operations: maintenance and inspection activities at airports, drone delivery systems based at the airport, and bird control. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) lists six major technology trends that will impact how future air cargo facilities evolve: augmented reality and wearables, robotics and automated systems, IoT and connected cargo, big data and AI, green buildings, and drones and autonomous vehicles.

Drones & Robots: Deploying New Technology to Handle Crisis

China’s eCommerce powerhouse JD.com has been using drone technology for deliveries since at least 2016. Under the JD Drone program, items are carried from regional delivery stations to village entrances, then local partners deliver orders to the customers. The JD drones are also being used for disaster relief and disinfectant spraying for Coronavirus.

Elon Musk says military drones will outlive fighter jets

Elon Musk had a fireside chat with Gen. Jay Raymond, chief of space operations for the Space Force, about the future of air defense. Musk expects unmanned drones will outlive fighter jets in the U.S. Air Force. “It’s not [that] I want the future to be this. The fighter jet era has passed.”

Wave Aerospace proposes commercial drone delivery between Stamford and Long Island

Wave Aerospace wants to establish a corridor across the Long Island Sound for commercial drone delivery from Stamford, Connecticut to Huntington, Long Island – about 10 miles. The corridor would be 1,000 feet wide, outside New York’s Class B Controlled Airspace.

First electric VTOL Lilium Jet prototype goes up in flames

Lilium had two prototype jet eVTOL prototypes in their flight-test program. Now they have one. The first prototype was destroyed in a fire on February 27, 2020, while in maintenance in Germany. The investigation to determine the cause is underway.

Video: The Lilium Jet in flight

NASA Langley Opens Applications for $20,000 UAV Competition

Applications for NASA Langley’s Safeguard with Autonomous Navigation Demonstration (SAND) Challenge are now being accepted. Small businesses will compete in an autonomous UAV for a grand prize of $20,000 under the America Competes Act. They will complete a set of complex mission profiles using NASA’s “Safeguard” technology. The SAND Challenge will be held in August of 2020 in Hampton, Virginia. To apply for the SAND challenge and to view more information including drone eligibility, participant eligibility, operational requirements and more visit: sand2020.nianet.org.

Max’s Zip News One-Liners

Quaternium drone HYBRiX sets a new World Record of Endurance with a flight of 8 hours and 10 minutes

Quaternium accomplished the feat with its HYBRiX hybrid fuel-electric drone.

Protesters tell FAA “If we build it, let it fly”

A protest was held in front of FAA headquarters by modelers who don’t like the proposed remote ID rules. The Help Save Our Hobby webpage was created for the event.

New Tech Could Finally Change Drone Regulations for the Better

Detect-and-avoid technology is being tested at Virginia Tech’s Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) where drones are being flown head-on.

With a speaker and four microphones, drones can echolocate like bats

The headline says it all. From Purdue University.

UAV Video of the Week

These insanely fast racing drones capture golf shots as you’ve never seen them

Seattle drone pilot Ross Beck released a video of golf shots captured from tee to green via a drone that can fly 85 mph.

Mentioned

Drones deployed in bid to tackle Queensland’s rogue crocodiles