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

Another hydrogen fuel cell drone launches, a drone startup fails, two Chinese drone companies in a patent dispute, Flirtey defibrillator delivery drone flies, the AMA has a message for Congress, insurance drones take to the skies, and a missing woman is located with a drone.

UAV NewsBSHARK launches new hydrogen-powered drone

BSHARK and MicroMultiCopter (MMC) have partnered on a hydrogen-powered quadcopter called the Narwhal 2. The aluminum frame, foldable design drone uses an 800 Watt metal-based PEM fuel cell. Hydrogen stored in a 3.5-liter carbon fiber cylinder covered with an aluminum alloy that is good for at least 500 fillings. The Narwhal 2 fuel cell drone has a claimed two-hour flight time and the transmitters have a 30 km range.

BSHARK Narwhal 2- A $6800 hydrogen fuel cell drone

Video: BSHARK Narwhal 2- A hydrogen fuel cell drone with long flight time

For a good overview, see: Will Hydrogen Fuel the Drones of the Future? | 7 Benefits of Hydrogen Over LiPo Drones.

Drone startup Airware crashes, shuts down after burning $118M

Without advance notice, Airware told employees it was immediately shutting down operations. Airware was a drone operating system startup that had raised $118 million from investors. The company tried to manufacture their own hardware but couldn’t compete with DJI and other Chinese drone manufacturers.

Chinese netizens furious as homegrown drone companies sue each other in US

Chinese company Autel Robotics filed a formal complaint against DJI with the US International Trade Commission (ITC) claiming that DJI infringed on two Autel patents. Autel asked the ITC to ban all DJI products from being imported into the US. Thinking Autel was a US company, Chinese social media erupted. When it was understood that Autel was a local company, Chinese social media pointed their anger at Autel.

Drone Delivery Company Conducts City of Reno’s First FAA-Approved Multi-Drone Flight

Flirtey conducted its first official drone flights in Reno, Nevada under the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program. In a simulated delivery of automated external defibrillators, a single operator simultaneously piloted multiple Flirtey drones. Flirtey CEO Matt Sweeney said, “This program runs us through the end of 2020, so we expect that we’ll be regularly saving lives and improving consumer lifestyles through drone delivery in Reno even before that,” Sweeney said. “We’re talking less than 24 months.”

Risk-Based Approach for Recreational Regulations Essential in Upcoming FAA Reauthorization

From the Academy of Model Aeronautics’ Government Relations Blog: “…AMA president Rich Hanson sent letters to the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, requesting they consider a risk-based approach to regulating recreational unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). This would ensure the safe integration of UAS into the nation’s airspace while continuing to allow responsible model aircraft operators to fly safely.”

Congressional Update for FAA Reauthorization – 9/19/2018

Video: Congressional Update for FAA Reauthorization – 9/19/2018

New waiver for drone operations over populated areas to help State Farm® respond to damage in states impacted by Hurricane Florence

Insurance company State Farm was granted a waiver by the FAA to fly drones in four states over people and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (“BVLOS”). State Farm will use the drones to assess damage from the hurricane and process claims faster. The company says, “State Farm needs to quickly assess damage after significant weather events. Drone technology provides us with the capability to quickly deploy over a catastrophe site and assess damage from the air. The data we obtain from drone flights can be used to help us determine the severity of damage. This also allows us to place our Claims team on-the-ground and evaluate uninhabitable insured property.”

Drone deputy shows how device saved woman

A 78-year-old woman with dementia was lost in Pokagon State Park in Indiana. Teams spent eleven hours searching 1300 acres, then chief drone pilot, deputy Shafter Baker of the Noble County Sheriff’s Department was called in. He found the woman in about 30 minutes using the heat sensor on the DJI Inspire. Baker said a ground search would have taken days.

State Farm is an interested party with Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) under the FAA Integration Pilot Program (IPP).

Impossible Aerospace US-1 quadcopter, a triple-powered hybrid drone, an Amazon patent for a data services drone, more industry consolidation, flying robots and intelligent architecture, the impulse to deploy drones after a hurricane.

UAV NewsImpossible Aerospace, founded by former Tesla engineer launched a new drone with a two-hour flight time

The Impossible Aerospace US-1 features arms and a body filled with Lithium Ion battery cells. The 26-inch frame quadcopter has planned availability in the fourth quarter of 2018 at $7,000 plus accessories. With a two-hour flight time, target customers include first responders, firefighters, police, and coastguards. Impossible Aerospace is a U.S. start-up founded in 2016 by former Tesla battery design engineer Spencer Gore. The company has $9.4 million in Series A funding with backing by Bessemer Venture Partners, Eclipse Ventures, and Airbus Ventures.

This world-first drone is a fuel triple threat

University of Sydney researchers have developed a fixed-wing drone powered by a triple hybrid propulsion system – hydrogen fuel cell, battery, and a supercapacitor. The supercapacitor provides load smoothing to increase fuel cell life and also improves the dynamic response of the overall propulsion system.

A drone that’s an on-demand data server? The perfect patent for Amazon’s ambitions

The Amazon “Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Data Services” patent contemplates a drone that can be deployed on demand to a network user to provide enhanced data services. The drone could carry communications equipment or the user could upload data to the drone, after which the drone flies off to transfer data to a central server.

PrecisionHawk strengthens positions in energy, insurance markets

PrecisionHawk has purchased HAZON Solutions LLC and InspecTools Inc., companies that specialize in energy industry drone inspections. PrecisionHawk also announced a partnership with EagleView Technologies Inc., which provides aerial imagery and data analytics.

“Live” shapeshifting canopy uses drones to keep guests in the shade

The University of Stuttgart “Cyber Physical Macro Materials” project used flying robots to create intelligent architecture. The prototype is an adaptive canopy that changes its configuration as the sun changes position. A self-supporting roof structure has a canopy made of smart-panels, which connect with autonomous drones. The drones use grippers to assemble the panels as needed to maintain a shaded area throughout the day. Another algorithm can detect people underneath and change panels to keep the crowd cool.

Self-Deploying Drone Pilots a Problem for Hurricane Response Efforts

Drones have proven themselves to be valuable for emergency management, such as after hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and natural and man-made disasters. Well-intended drone pilots are tempted to launch, but “most drone operators do not possess the fundamental training, skills, and experience to be truly effective.” Drone flights can interfere with public safety and government agencies, and critical infrastructure providers such as power or telecommunications companies. Drone pilots can find also find themselves part of the problem and become stranded without food, water, and gas. Disaster response requires training, coordination with authorities, and deployment based on orders.

The North Carolina Department of Public Safety created the North Carolina Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Disaster Response Database that “provides local Emergency Managers and First Responders with a list of qualified UAS pilots that are willing to provide services to their community. Participating UAS pilots have successfully completed their FAA Part 107 qualification and are NCDOT Certified Government Operators.”

U.S. Navy selects the Boeing MQ-25 Stingray, Boeing conducts synchronized drone flights in Australia, an IBM drone delivery patent, an FAA Drone Integration Pilot Program update, a new Cape May County drone facility, flying drones in India, and drones and law enforcement.

UAV NewsNavy Picks Boeing to Build MQ-25A Stingray Carrier-Based Drone

Boeing has won the $805 million contract for four MQ-25 Stingray unmanned tankers. The company will design, develop, fabricate, test, deliver, and support the aircraft. First flight is planned for 2021 with initial operational capability on carrier decks in 2024. An eventual fleet of 72 Stingrays is planned, at a total program cost of around $13 billion.

Boeing Completes Synchronised UAV Flight Tests in Australia

Boeing completed autonomous air missions with five UAV test beds. Only six months ago, Boeing established a large autonomous systems development program in Queensland in partnership with small and medium-sized companies, issuing AU$2.3 million in contracts with 14 Queensland businesses. Boeing has partnered with the Queensland Government under the Advance Queensland Autonomous Systems Platform Technology Project.

Coffee delivery drone patented by IBM

The patent contemplates a drone that detects the “cognitive state” of office workers to determine when they need coffee. The drone could then lower cups of coffee on an “unspooling string,” or deliver hot coffee in a sealed bag, or even dispense coffee directly into the worker’s cup.

Uncontacted Amazon tribe are revealed for the first time in stunning drone footage filmed by researchers – who then left them to their isolation

A previously unknown and uncontacted indigenous Brazilian tribe was captured in a drone video. The images come from a three-week expedition in 2017 but were just released. The expedition was responding to reports of illegal hunters threatening tribes.

Feds, NCDOT launch drone pilot over WakeMedFirst in flight: Drone delivery lands on the roof of WakeMed in Raleigh

Under the FAA’s Drone Integration Pilot Program (IPP), Matternet and WakeMed Health & Hospitals in Raleigh, North Carolina are flying a drone to collect data on flying in urban environments. The Matternet drone flew autonomously on a pre-programmed route over people carrying vials of water (standing in for blood) and other medical samples.

Cape May County awarded $3M federal grant to build drone facility

The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that Cape May County was awarded a $3 million grant to build a 20,000-square-foot multi-tenant drone facility. Officials believe this will create 130 jobs and generate $1.9 million in private investments. Each tenant will get a 5,000 square-feet space for offices and manufacturing. No word on project start date or completion date.

Flying drones to be legal in India from December 1

Civilian use of drones in India are currently restricted by the Directorate General of Civilian Aviation, but now the Ministry of Civil Aviation has finalized a national drone policy. “No Drone Zones” are defined around airports, near the international border, certain government buildings, strategic locations, military installations, and other locations. Registration is required for owners and pilots, and permission is required for each flight through an app that provides instant digital permits. Any drone without a digital permit to fly will not be able to take off.

5 ways LE can prepare for a drone attack

PoliceOne offers advice for law enforcement: know who can fly what and where, learn the difference between hobbyist and commercial drone operations, establish protocol for drones, get UAS and counter-UAS training, and treat counter-UAS like every other threat law enforcement faces.

Denver Police Department Shelves Drone Program Amid Public Concerns

The Denver Police Department recently bought a drone to photograph crime scenes and collect potential evidence. But public concern over invasion of privacy and civil liberty issues and caused the Denver police program to abandon the program for now. Recently, Fairfax County in Virginia delayed its drone program over citizen worries.

A solar-powered quadcopter, a drone assisting in the study of whales, using drones to fight cocaine, capturing intruder drones, improving crop yields with a drone service, and a quadcopter with legs.

UAV NewsAsia’s first fully solar-powered drone lifts off

This prototype solar-powered quadcopter was developed by the engineering students at the National University of Singapore. It uses 148 silicon solar cells on a four square meter carbon fiber frame. The prototype weighs and can be controlled by remote or fly autonomously.

100% solar-powered quadcopter drone

Video: 100% solar-powered quadcopter drone

The Scientists Who Study Whale ‘Defecation Events’

Oregon State University’s Marine Mammal Institute is studying whale feces because analysis allows them “to document the reproductive and stress hormone variation of gray whales.” When a gray whale defecates, the result is a brown plume in the water. It dissipates fast and there isn’t much time to collect a sample. The researchers are using drones to follow the whale while they watch for the plume. A small chase boat then arrives to collect the sample.

Gray whale defecation event

Video: Gray whale defecation event

Columbia is now using an army of drones to poison cocaine crops

The Colombian government is testing ten drones that spray herbicide to kill crops. Loaded, the drones weigh about 50 pounds. The herbicide application is more precise than spraying from an airplane and less expensive.

The DroneHunter knocks killer drones out of the sky

Fortem Technologies is developing the DroneHunter that captures intruder drones. In an NBC video report on this Counter Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS), Fortem CEO Timothy Bean said the DroneHunter, “patrols the airspace, detects any unwanted objects in the airspace, enemy drones or other robotics, pursues them, and then safely captures them and tows them away to a safe location.” DroneHunter autonomously detects intruder drones, shoots a net at 80 MPH to a target drone up to 25 feet away, captures the enemy drone and carries it away.

Company promotional video (see the NBC report for the DroneHunter in action):

Fortem Technologies: Enabling the Benefits of a Drone WorldPollen Systems Launches Drone-Based Data and Analysis Solution to Improve Vineyard and Crop Yields

Pollen Systems Corporation in Bellevue, Washington announced a managed service that helps farms and vineyards monitor their crops. Subscribing farms and vineyards get weekly visits by a certified Drone Technologist. The Pollen Scout UAV captures RGB, NDRE (Normalized Difference Red Edge), and NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) images. These help farmers identify issues with crop growth, irrigation problems, pests, and diseases. The Pollen Scout is already flying at several early adopter vineyards in Washington State.

Watch this delightful aerial robot dance with its dangly legs

University of Tokyo researchers have developed a quadcopter with spindly legs. The Aerial-Biped senses the forward velocity of the quadcopter and automatically manipulates the legs through servos – giving it a dancing-like motion. Paper: Aerial-biped: a new physical expression by the biped robot using a quadrotor. Abstract:

“We present a biped robot which can move agiler than conventional robots. Our robot can generate bipedal walking motion automatically using the proposed method. By using a quadrotor for balance and movement it is possible to make an agiler movement, and generate a gait interactively and in real time according to the motion of the quadrotor using the optimized control policy of the legs. Our system takes the velocity of the quadrotor as an input and legs motions are produced so that the velocity of the foot in contact with the ground to zero, and bipedal walking motion is generated. The control policy is optimized using reinforcement learning with a physics engine.”

Aerial-Biped: a new physical expression by the biped robot using a quadrotor

Video: Aerial-Biped: a new physical expression by the biped robot using a quadrotor

Our guest owns a commercial drone company, provides drone training, and produces a podcast where he interviews other commercial drone operators.

Guest

Chris Anderson is the CEO of The Drone Trainer and offers online drone training courses as well as producing The Drone Trainer Podcast.

Chris has owned and operated a commercial drone operation since January 2014, working in real estate, construction, mapping, 3D modelling, inspections, and a variety of oilfield applications. Chris has provided in-person training to clients across several industries, and as of early 2017 has expanded into an online delivery platform where he’s worked with students from all around the world.

In The Drone Trainer Podcast, Chris interviews drone pilots from all over to uncover how they market their business, what equipment they fly, the challenges they face, and tips for succeeding as a commercial drone pilot.

We talk with Chris about the background and experience of the people who are starting their own drone business. That includes their business objectives, the market they focus on, the equipment they use, and the challenges they face. Chris tells us about the online video training resources he offers, and we touch on the future outlook for the industry.

Project Wing demonstrates package delivery under the Virginia UAS Integration Pilot Program, Zephyr achieves altitude and duration records, DARPA recharges drones with lasers, drone-themed tours entice enthusiasts, FAA details shortcomings with many waiver applications, and DroneSeed raises venture capital.

UAV NewsCountry’s first long-distance, residential drone delivery touches down in Montgomery County neighborhood

Alphabet subsidiary Wing is a partner in the Virginia UAS Integration Pilot Program, which had proposed package delivery in Wise County, Montgomery and Roanoke counties, and Loudoun County. Under the Pilot Program, Wing can now fly long distances, over people, and beyond visual line of sight. Demonstration flights are underway.

Zephyr claims new endurance record

The Airbus Defence and Space Zephyr ‘pseudo-satellite’ has achieved an endurance record with a 26-day flight. At the same time, the solar-powered production-standard Zephyr S also set an altitude record for a UAV in its class at 70,740 ft. A Zephyr has previously held the record with a 14-day flight in 2010. Note that the record still has to be officially ratified by the FAI (Fédération Aéronautique Internationale).

Drones Recharged by a Laser Could Fly Forever

DARPA’s Stand-off Ubiquitous Power/Energy Replenishment – Power Beaming Demo (SUPER PBD) uses lasers to recharge drone batteries. The Silent Falcon drone has solar panels on the wings and batteries in the fuselage. When batteries get low lasers are aimed at the solar panels to recharge them.

Tour operators take a flyer on multi-thousand-dollar drone photography trips

The New York Times Journeys travel program now offers the Drone Photography Journey, departing June 2019 for an eight-day trek around Norway. Daily drone-photography sessions will be led by a Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer. You can bring your own drone or use one of theirs. As an alternative, Airbnb Experiences offers single day, lower cost drone experiences.

FAA: Why Most Drone Rule Waiver Applications Crash and Burn

In 2018 to date, the FAA has reviewed 11,345 waiver applications, and only 16% of them were approved. At the FAA webinar on applying for Part 107 operational waivers, the agency noted that almost 8,000 of the rejections were for incomplete information and another 800 made “an insufficient safety case.” The biggest issue: not reading the requirements and leaving information out or not being specific enough.

A Seattle Startup Is Pioneering a New Way to Use Drones in Agriculture

As we described in Episode 195, the FAA approved delivery of agricultural payloads by DroneSeed with drone swarms. The company planned to plant tree seeds and spray fertilizer and herbicides on trees. In this update, we see that DroneSeed now has eight employees, they raised over $3 million in venture-capital backing, and two large timber companies are now DroneSeed customers. One pilot operates up to five drones, each carrying four gallons of payload with a 20-minute spray time. Planting tree seeds could take another year or so.

AgEagle is set to acquire Agribotix, Skysense and Avansig partner on indoor surveillance drones, DARPA investigates high-speed indoor drones with partners, Boeing and SparkCognition bring AI and blockchain to unmanned aircraft system traffic management, GE Aviation links with Korea’s Kookmin University to study future systems and possible uses for UAVs.

UAV NewsAgEagle Signs Agreement to Acquire Agricultural Analytics Company Agribotix

AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc. is acquiring Agribotix, LLC. AgEagle offers 3 fixed-wing drones for precision agriculture, while Agribotix is a precision agriculture software company that provides imaging and data analysis. AgEagle plans to integrate the Agribotix FarmLens data analytics platform into AgEagle’s offerings. FarmLens software takes remotely sensed imagery and develops crop reports.

AgEagle plans to hold a conference call on Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss the acquisition of Agribotix and new sustainability initiatives. The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay here. Details:

Conference Call Date: Tuesday, August 7, 2018

Time: 1:00 p.m. Eastern time (12:00 p.m. Central time)

Toll-free dial-in number: 877-473-2646

International dial-in number: 702-374-0792

Conference ID: 3462458

Get Ready for Indoor Surveillance Drones

Avansig and Skysense announced a joint venture to develop a fully automated indoor drone security service. Automated drone “security guards” would follow a pre-programmed route, livestream video, and flag any detected security concerns. The drone would return to a charging pad when batteries get low.

Skysense is currently focused on research, development, and production of charging pads and “droneports.” Avansig is a Spanish information and communication technology company that produces “smart drones” for indoor navigation. Press release: Avansig & Skysense – Autonomous Drone Solution for Indoor Surveillance.

Faster, Lighter, Smarter: DARPA Gives Small Autonomous Systems a Tech Boost

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has completed Phase 2 of its Fast Lightweight Autonomy (FLA) program. DARPA says, “The goal of the FLA program is to explore non-traditional perception and autonomy methods that could enable a new class of algorithms for minimalistic high-speed navigation in cluttered environments.” DARPA wants to develop small autonomous UAVs that can fly up to 45 mph with no communication links to the operator and without GPS guidance.

Video: Fast Lightweight Autonomy (FLA) Phase 2 Flight Testing

Boeing to Establish New Aerospace & Autonomy Center

The Boeing Aerospace & Autonomy Center “advances the development of next-generation aircraft and the enabling technologies that allow for safe, autonomous flight.” Boeing says their Aurora Flight Sciences subsidiary will operate the 100,000 square foot center in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It will be located in a new 17-floor building in Kendall Square on the east side of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology campus. When the Center is opened in 2020, both Boeing and Aurora engineers will move in.

Boeing, SparkCognition to shape the future of travel and transport

Last month at the Farnborough Air Show, Boeing announced it is collaborating with artificial intelligence (AI) technology company SparkCognition to deliver unmanned aircraft system traffic management (UTM) solutions. Boeing and SparkCognition will track unmanned air vehicles in flight using AI and blockchain technologies, then allocate traffic corridors and routes. They also say they’ll “provide a standardized programming interface to support package delivery, industrial inspection and other commercial applications.”

GE Aviation Signs Agreement for Future Systems Studies with Kookmin University

GE Aviation and Kookmin University in Seoul, Korea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to study various future systems, procedures and possible uses for UAVs. Kookmin University established the Defense UAS Research & Development Center in April 2018. Alan Caslavka, president of Avionics Systems for GE Aviation, said, “This collaboration builds upon our experience with Kookmin University in Aviation and recent indigenous new UAV testing in South Korea. Our ongoing work with Kookmin will help validate various technologies as we work globally to accelerate safe unmanned air systems.”

UAV Video of the WeekHow to shoot surfing with a drone

Surfer Today has tips and techniques for creating videos of surfers with drones. They describe selecting the right drone, drone settings and where to film from, as well as drone altitude, flying techniques, and best angles. The article finishes with a video:

Koa Smith Skeleton Bay 2018: 1 wave, 8 Barrels

Mentioned

We’d like to welcome a new sponsor: Corporate Service Supply and Manufacturing, a DJI Enterprise Dealer that provides DJI equipment and support for commercial and public sector users of unmanned aerial systems such as law enforcement, public safety, and construction. To learn more, visit theuavdigest.com/css

A pseudo satellite drone with deformable wings, an agricultural drone that sprays crops, a project for drone applications in cities, the FAA makes a Federal preemption statement, a payment concept for drone package delivery, and a deformable drone that absorbs impacts.

UAV NewsPrototype Solar-Powered, High-Altitude UAV Undergoing Flight Tests

The UAVOS Inc. HAPS (High Altitude Pseudo Satellite) aircraft is solar-powered with a flexible wing for control. The ApusDuo prototype has been flown more than 1000 hours at altitudes of up to 65,617 feet (20,000 meters). Flight tests confirmed the aircraft can handle turbulence by actively changing the bend of the wing. UAVOS specializes in the design, development, and manufacturing of unmanned vehicles and autopilot systems and components. Their solutions range from small industrial surveillance drones to large UAVs.

North Dakota State University’s Herbicide-Spraying Drone Covers 33 Acres in an Hour

The University’s Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering department is using an AG V6+ agriculture drone from Homeland Surveillance & Electronics. It holds four gallons of herbicide and flies autonomously for 30 minutes, covering 33 acres in one hour. The department’s “smart farm” project looks to deploy the drone in precise areas of land and fly autonomously without the need for a high-resolution imaging drone.

Promotional video: AG v6a+ UAV Crop Sprayer

Report: UK has golden opportunity to shape future of drones

The Nesta innovation foundation conducted the Flying High Challenge pilot project to investigate applications for drones in cities. The objectives of the Challenge were to shape plans for the future of drones in UK cities, identify and address key complexities, and detail technical and economic plans. The project collaborated with five cities to analyze socially beneficial use cases. See the final report: Flying High: The future of drone technology in UK cities

FAA Clarifies Federal Authority Over Drone Rulemaking

Some state and local governments have passed laws that regulate drones, but who has authority over the airspace? In Press Release – FAA Statement–Federal vs. Local Drone Authority, the FAA says, “Congress has provided the FAA with exclusive authority to regulate aviation safety, the efficiency of the navigable airspace, and air traffic control, among other things. State and local governments are not permitted to regulate any type of aircraft operations, such as flight paths or altitudes, or the navigable airspace.” But local governments can control landing sites through their land use powers.

Worldpay’s Drone Delivery Mat Identifies Customer Before Releasing Package

While many companies are developing package delivery systems, Worldpay is thinking about the payment system: how the customer ensures they receive the package and how the seller ensures they get paid? Worldpay’s idea is that customers get a portable landing pad tied to their credit card, the delivery drone lands on the pad, and the drone confirms the delivery location is correct. Then payment is authorized and the package is released. Worldpay’s Drone Pay proof-of-concept uses EMV contactless payment card technology embedded into the drone landing pad.

Demonstration video: Drone Pay by Worldpay

An insect-inspired drone deforms upon impact

Researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) developed a drone that deforms on impact. The design is inspired by insect wings and also by origami. The hybrid origami drone can be stiff or flexible depending on the circumstances. The structure is stiff when airborne but if the drone runs into something, it becomes flexible and absorbs the shock.

Video: An insect-inspired drone deforms upon impact

MentionedWebinar Invitation by the UAVs for Payload Delivery Working Group

August 1, 2018, 10am Eastern (GMT-4)

The newly developed Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Procurement Guide will be shared by the USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program – Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project. The guide’s purpose is to share lessons and insight from the project’s experience to help other organizations undertaking similar efforts. The guide will prevent them from reinventing the wheel or starting from zero to expedite the rate at which this technology is applied and scaled up. This webinar is open to anyone to attend.

A flock of drones that act autonomously, the Airbus Zephyr maiden flight, Teal Group predicts strong growth for the civil drone market, DJI improves their geofence unlocking process, another incident with an airliner, and suicide drones that take out hostile UAVs.

UAV NewsHow a Flock of Drones Developed Collective Intelligence

These autonomous drones flock without any pre-programming or control station. Instead, they communicate amongst themselves and self-organize, split around obstacles, rejoin, and avoid colliding with each other. The flocking model is described in Science Robotics Vol. 3, Issue 20. The research is from the Robotic Lab in the Department of Biological Physics at Eötvös University in Budapest. See: Optimized flocking of autonomous drones in confined environments.

Video: Optimized flocking of autonomous drones in confined environments

Airbus unveils pioneering solar-powered drone

At the Farnborough airshow, Airbus unveiled its Zephyr solar-powered drone. Airbus said the High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) Zephyr S maiden flight occurred in Arizona on July 11, 2018. The Zephyr S has an 82-foot wingspan and weighs less than 55 pounds. It can fly at 21,000 meters or almost 70,000 feet. Seven models are planned to be produced in 2018 and seven more in 2019. The future Zephyr T would have a 108-foot wingspan.

Civil drone production will soar over the next decade

The Teal Group 2018 World Civil Unmanned Aerial Systems Market Profile & Forecast is out, featuring 10-Year Market Forecasts, expert analysis, a look at venture capital, implementation of regulations worldwide, and company strategies. The forecast projects non-military UAS production growing from $4.4 billion worldwide in 2018 to $13.1 billion in 2027. You can download the Table of Contents & Executive Overview [PDF].

DJI will unlock geofencing for enterprise drone users

DJI is improving the process that allows drone pilots with authorization to obtain geofence unlock codes. The company’s global authorization team is now staffed around the clock and requests can be made online at the DJI “Custom Unlocking” webpage. A DJI account is required to login.

Dumb and Dumber: A Drone Flies Dangerously Close to an A380 During Take Off

A drone waited off the end of the runway as an Emirates Airbus A380 prepared to take off from the airport at Mauritius Island. The drone appeared to be about 300 feet from the tip of the left wing as the jet passed by.

Army Buys Small Suicide Drones To Break Up Hostile Swarms And Potentially More

At the Farnborough Airshow, Raytheon announced it has shipped more than 32 Block 1B variants of the Coyote drone to the U.S. Army. The Coyote weighs under ten pounds and includes a small warhead with a fire control radar. After launch, the six-foot-wide main wing, the rear stabilizers, and the twin tail pop open. Raytheon’s Vice President for Advanced Missile Systems said, “We modified these vehicles to have small warheads to take down a quadcopter, for example, or other types of Class I or Class II UAVs.”

Mentioned

The Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Procurement Guide was recently published by the USAID Global Health Supply Chain Program-Procurement and Supply Management (GHSC-PSM) project. The guide contains considerations, specifications, and criteria that can be used to evaluate UAV manufacturers. A webinar on the guide with the UAVs for Payload Delivery Working Group is scheduled for August 1, 2018, at 10 AM Eastern Standard Time.

A General Atomics remotely piloted drone flew across the Atlantic, military drone documents found on the dark web, Google’s delivery drone project moves forward, and recreational drone registration reaffirmed.

UAV NewsFirst ever trans-Atlantic drone flight lands in UK

The civilian-registered and remotely piloted General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian flew 3,760 nautical miles from the Grand Sky park at the Grand Forks Air Force in North Dakota to the Royal Air Force (RAF) Fairford in Gloucestershire, UK in 24 hours and two minutes. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) says, “MQ-9B is the next generation of GA-ASI’s multi-mission Predator® B fleet. GA-ASI named its baseline MQ-9B aircraft SkyGuardian, and the maritime surveillance variant SeaGuardian. MQ-9B is a “type-certifiable” version of the MQ-9 Predator B product line. It’s [an]… RPA that can meet the stringent airworthiness type-certification requirements of various military and civil authorities, including the UK Military Airworthiness Authority (MAA) and the U.S. FAA… Type-certification, together with an extensively tested collision avoidance system, will allow unrestricted operations in all classes of civil airspace.”

AOPA Drone Social tickets almost gone

A few free seats remain available for the AOPA Drone Social during EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on July 27, 2018. Food and beverages will be provided, and a 20-minute presentation by event sponsor PrecisionHawk will be followed by time to network and socialize. Register now.

US Reaper drone data leaked on dark web, researchers say

Someone hacked into an Air Force captain’s computer and accessed documents. They included a private list of airmen working with General Atomics MQ-9A Reaper drones as well as maintenance and course material. The threat intelligence firm Recorded Future posted in their blog post, Military Reaper Drone Documents Leaked on the Dark Web, “On June 1, 2018, while monitoring criminal actor activities on the deep and dark web, Recorded Future’s Insikt Group identified an attempted sale of what we believe to be highly sensitive U.S. Air Force documents. Specifically, an English-speaking hacker claimed to have access to export-controlled documents pertaining to the MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Insikt analysts engaged the hacker and confirmed the validity of the compromised documents. Insikt Group identified the name and country of residence of an actor associated with a group we believe to be responsible. This analysis is available to our customers via Insikt’s blog. We continue to assist law enforcement in their investigation.”

Google’s Parent Births New Businesses: Balloons and Drones

Two projects operated within the research lab of Google’s parent company Alphabet have now been moved out of the research lab and into their own Alphabet business units. “Wing” is the delivery drone project using fixed-wing VTOL drones that have made test deliveries in Australia. “Loon” is the high altitude balloon project that provides internet connectivity for rural or disaster areas.

FAA Says Avoid Drone Registration Schemes

The FAA warns against entities that offer to help drone owners and operators file an application for a registration number. Some attempt to mimic the look of the FAA’s website with similar graphic design and even the FAA logo. You can easily register yourself for $5 at the FAA Drone Zone. These registrations apply to those flying for recreational, commercial, governmental, or other purposes under Part 107. Also to those flying model aircraft under Section 336, the special rule for model aircraft.

Drone Regulations in U.S. Withstand a Hobbyist’s Legal Challenge

Back in episode 195, we reported that the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit struck down the FAA’s drone registration requirement for recreational UAV operators. John A. Taylor argued that the FAA requirement violated the 2012 FAA Modernization and Reform Act passed by Congress. Since then, Congress passed a law allowing registration of hobbyist drones. Taylor requested that FAA rules be invalidated arguing that all hobbyists, not just those exempted by Congress, should be exempt from the law. But the appellate court said, “Because the rule is within the agency’s statutory authority and is neither arbitrary nor capricious, the petition for review is denied.”

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