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

The proposed BREEZE drone for Venus, a tethered drone for first responders, river rescue missions, taking out drones with Thor’s hammer, UAS over the Arctic, drone deliveries to offshore wind farms, and hobby drones in Ukraine.

UAV NewsNASA considers bird-like drones to explore Venus’s atmosphere

NASA wants to study the use of drones that fly through the Venusian atmosphere and study the planet. BREEZE, or Bioinspired Ray for Extreme Environments and Zonal Exploration, will be funded for a two-year concept study. The BREEZE drones would be inflatable, fly at altitudes between 50-60 km, and ride zonal winds. This is one of 17 proposals under the NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) program.

Video: BREEZE | A Revolutionary Ray-inspired Airship Concept for Aerial Venus Exploration

NCDOT launches national first with tethered drones on IMAP Trucks

Three years ago, in episode 285, we covered the Fotokite tethered drone and their partnership with Pierce Manufacturing. Now we see that the North Carolina Department of Transportation is launching a pilot with Fotokite. Some IMAP (Incident Management Assistance Patrol) vehicles will be fitted with tethered drones to provide situational awareness to the NCDOT Operations and Traffic Management Centers and assist with overall traffic management of the incidents.

Iris Automation receives FAA waiver to test BVLOS drones in Nevada river rescue missions

The Iris Automation waiver allows them to fly BVLOS in a rural, unpopulated area south of Reno, Nevada using the company’s Casia X detect and avoid system. Iris is working with the City of Reno and the Reno Fire Department (RFD) which conducts about 40 rescues per year at the Truckee River.

Killing drones with Thor’s hammer: Air Force eyes counter-UAS ‘Mjölnir’ weapon

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has awarded a $26 million counter-UAS contract to Leidos. The company will build a prototype system that disables sUAS with high-power microwaves. Called Mjölnir, the name of Thor’s hammer, it builds on previous work under the Tactical High Power Operational Responder, or THOR, program. THOR is a counter-swarm electromagnetic weapon that uses non-kinetic energy to defeat multiple targets. In 2020, the Defense Department became so concerned it created the Joint Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Office, led by the Army.

Earth News: NASA is helping fly drones in the arctic — here’s what that means for sea ice and sea level change

NASA is leading a team to show that a fixed-winged drone could fly over the Arctic ocean for several days. The attritable UAS from Vanilla Unmanned is designed for multi-day surveillance and inspection operations. In this application, a drone with sensors can capture more accurate data than is the case with satellites.

Project Seeks to Build Drones to Supply Offshore Wind Farms

The drones would be customized to deliver supplies and other items to offshore wind farms in the Asia-Pacific region. Two Singapore-based companies signed an MOU to co-develop the drones: Marco Polo Marine Ltd., a regional integrated marine logistics company; and F-drones, developer of large autonomous delivery drones. The delivery drones are expected to reduce cost by 90 percent, be four times faster, and reduce carbon footprint.

Hobby drones at war: How do they help Ukraine?

In a February Facebook post, Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense says it is looking for drones and for pilots: “Do you own a drone? Give it to experienced pilots to use!” and “Do you know how to drive a drone? Join the joint patrol with units 112 of the separate brigade of the city of Kyiv!”

UAV Video of the Week

The PGA Tour is using drones to follow golf shots like this one from Rory McIlroy and it’s so cool

The design for a large autonomous cargo drone, important noise research, Ford’s idea for a vehicle inspection drone, a high-speed VTOL concept challenge, identifying human trash on the beach, UAS in unsegregated airspace, Western parts in a Russian drone, the longest BVLOS waiver issued by the FAA so far, and an intelligent drone controller that “looks ahead.”

UAV NewsDrones as Big as 747s Will Fly Cargo Around the World With Low Emissions, Startup Says

Natilus has designed a blended wing cargo drone that the company says allows it to carry 60 percent more cargo, slashes cost by 60 percent, and produces 50 percent fewer carbon emissions. Founded in 2016, the company announced $6 billion worth of pre-orders for over 440 of its aircraft. Four models are envisioned with cargo capacities ranging from 3.5 to 130 tons. Natilus has completed two wind tunnel tests and the first flight of a full-scale prototype is planned for 2023.

Video: Natilus Wind Tunnel Test 2021

Natilus Announces $6 Billion in Advance Purchase Commitments to Deliver Autonomous Cargo Aircraft to Customers

The advanced purchase commitments are for the delivery of 440+ aircraft in pre-orders, from Volatus Aerospace, Astral Aviation, Aurora International, Dymond Group, and Flexport. Others are to be announced. Flexport completed a $900 million investment round and has signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) for two 100T Natilus aircraft, with an option for a third.

Drowning Out the Sound of Drones

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati are studying aeroacoustics using microphones in an anechoic chamber to test the frequency, wavelength, and amplitude of sound from drones. However, the “acceptable” noise level depends on where people are, the time of day, and the goal of the technology. For example, you might not mind the noise if the drone is delivering key medical supplies, but you might mind if it’s a pizza delivery to your neighbor.

Ford wants to hide spy drones in autonomous cars

Ford has patented a concept where a drone is hidden somewhere inside the vehicle, specifically, inside an autonomous ride-hailing car. The secret drone could inspect the vehicle for damage after the ride. Ford is co-owner of the Argo AI autonomous car company which plans a ride-hailing service.

Jaunt Air Mobility attracts market research investment to advance “U.S. DoD high-speed VTOL capabilities”

The AFWERX High-Speed Vertical Take-Off and Landing (HSVTOL) Concept Challenge is a crowdsourcing effort for the United States Air Force and U.S Special Operations Command. Jaunt Air Mobility is one of 11 companies selected from 200 applicants to research solutions that enable optimal agility in harsh and difficult environments. Under the contract, Jaunt will develop two conceptual designs – the initial aircraft for the Multi-Mission Air Vehicle (MAV 55). That combines the features of a fixed-wing aircraft with VTOL. The AFWERX Challenge is a high-quality market research program, that uses design thinking workshops, crowdsourcing, events, and innovative contracting.

AI-enabled drones will tell human teams where to find marine debris

Researchers from Oregon State University and the NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) began a research project in June 2020, to use drones to identify human-made debris on the beach. Machine-learning algorithms were used to locate and classify synthetic-material objects. Drones would fly along the coastline and identify the debris to be removed.

Israel becomes 1st country allowing drones flight in civilian airspace: minister

The Israeli Civil Aviation Authority has given its approval for a UAS to operate in civilian airspace. The Elbit Hermes Starliner will be able to fly in the same unsegregated airspace as piloted vehicles. Planned missions include border security and anti-terror operations, security at large public events, maritime search and rescue, commercial aviation and environmental inspection, and precision agriculture work.

Russian drones shot down over Ukraine were full of Western parts. Can the U.S. cut them off?

A Russian surveillance drone was shot down in 2017 when Ukrainian forces were fighting Russia-backed separatists. When it was opened, the drone contained a German-made engine, navigation and communication chips made by U.S. companies, a motion-sensing chip from a British company, and Other components from Switzerland and South Korea.

The Longest Distance BVLOS Waiver Yet: Censys and Soaring Eagle Technologies

The BVLOS waiver is for 12 miles to inspect power lines. That’s the longest waiver the FAA has granted. Censys Technologies Corporation builds remote sensing solutions for UAS service providers, enterprise organizations, and government entities. Soaring Eagle Technologies is focused on structure inspections and aerial mapping. The companies are using Casia, the detect-and-avoid system from Iris Automation.

UAV Video of the Week

NFL Creates Super Bowl Show In The Sky With 500 Drones

The NFL flew 500 drones over the Convention Center to create a Super Bowl show in the sky.

MentionedBuilt-in Intelligence Comes to Small, Pilotless Fixed-wing Planes

Commercial controllers work well for simple paths, but high winds can cause a pilotless aircraft to go off course and crash. Researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder are developing an onboard guidance algorithm for precision path-following. In tests, the controller allowed an autonomous drone to adjust to disturbances and modulate its airspeed as it followed a demanding path. It was faster and more accurate than a commercial guidance controller. The aircraft used a nonlinear numerical model for predictive control.

American Helicopter Museum

UAV Digest listeners can enjoy a one-year individual membership at a 50% discount. For $25.00 (normally $50.00) you get:

• Unlimited admission to the Museum for one year, including the March 4 event, “The Helicopter and the Presidency.”
• Two One-Day Guest Passes.
• Admission to FamilyFest and SantaFest.
• Invitations to Member Receptions.
• 10% discount on gift shop purchases.

This offer is good through May 31, 2022, at this link.

CycloTech propulsion for eVTOLs, the first autonomous Blackhawk helicopter flight, the little drone carrying meth, universities study Verizon 5G drone applications, a Wisconsin bill to ban government use of DJI, and Navy unmanned underwater vehicles.

UAV NewsMarkus Steinke on CycloTech’s cycloidal rotor concept

The cycloidal rotor concept uses a large, open, rotating spool with airfoils that run between the ends of the spool. The vehicle has four spools (or rotors), one at each corner. Last year, Austrian company CycloTech conducted the first free flight of their technology demonstrator. The CycloRotor thrust can be directed in a 360-degree direction around the axis of rotation. The design has advantages that are desirable for eVTOL operations, including a smooth transition from vertical to horizontal flight and vice versa, precision maneuvering, and the decoupling of aircraft body attitude from the flight path.

Video: CycloTech GmbH First Free Flight

Safe, Reliable, and Uninhabited: First Autonomous BLACK HAWK® Helicopter Flight

With the flick of a switch, the DARPA S-70 Blackhawk helicopter goes from piloted to unpiloted. In this first flight, the S-70 autonomously completed a pre-flight checklist, started its engines, spun up its rotors, and took off with no crew on board. The ALIAS system (Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System) on-board sensors provided real-time obstacle data as the helicopter navigated through a simulated cityscape.

Video: First Uninhabited Black Hawk Flight

A tiny DJI drone smuggled its own weight in drugs over the US border wall

Last October, the US Border Patrol spotted a DJI Mini 2 flying over the 25-foot-high fence. The drone landed in a parking lot and a Mercedes pulled up to retrieve it. An Agent grabbed the drone first. The 249g DJI Mini 2 was carrying 259g of methamphetamine. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) obtained a warrant to search the drone for evidence that might lead to the pilot. It’s not clear if the warrant asks DJI to provide information about the drone flight.

Verizon taps universities for 5G drones, manufacturing

Verizon is working with two universities to develop and demonstrate use cases for low-latency networks. Verizon deployed millimeter wave 5G at the California Institute of Technology and the Pennsylvania State University. The universities will trial using AI to interpret drone data and research ways to improve and automate manufacturing processes.

INTERVIEW: Sen. Roger Roth on bill to ban Chinese-made drones

Wisconsin State Senator Roger Roth represents Senate District 19 and co-sponsored 2021 Assembly Bill 907 (text) restricting state and local governmental acquisition, possession, and use of certain drones. The bill has been referred to the Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.

This bill prohibits local governmental units and state agencies from acquiring or… possessing or using drones manufactured or distributed by SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. … or any entity that is determined by the U.S. Department of Justice to be subject to or vulnerable to extrajudicial direction from a foreign government.2021 Assembly Bill 907Navy enhancing sensors, navigation, and autonomy capabilities for growing fleet of unmanned submarines

Huntington Ingalls Industries has been designing and producing underwater drones for the Navy. Their REMUS (Remote Environmental Monitoring UnitS) series of unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV) has been launched from submarines and can explore hazardous areas autonomously. The Navy is looking at small, medium, large, and extra-large UUVs as well as unmanned surface vessels, and unmanned aircraft.

UAV Video of the Week

Video: Watch a drone capture SpaceX Falcon 9’s latest launch and landing!

The NROL-87 mission successfully launched February 2, 2022, from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, and carried a national security payload designed, built, and operated by the National Reconnaissance Office.

A drone-as-a-service company is building a country-wide network in Germany, drones as tools, the impact of AI on UAV capability, a new hypersonic drone, an apple-picking drone, creating a digital twin of a national treasure, and a lethal killer drone.

UAV NewsBeagle Systems launches first station in country-wide drone network

In Germany, Beagle Systems GmbH is building a nationwide network of landing and charging stations for drones. Beagle Systems is a drone-as-a-service provider that specializes in long-range UAS flights that are controlled from the Hamburg company headquarters. The company hopes to serve the delivery, courier, and express services market.

The Real-Life Evolution of the Drone

Early on, some people considered drones to be “toys.” But drones have come a long way since then. Now they are tools for marketing, wildfire restoration, wildlife study, public safety, newsgathering, and a lot more.

The Role Of Drones In Connecting AI And Human Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays an increasing role in the missions of UAVs. Deep learning algorithms are trained with images and used to classify items detected by a variety of sensors. Affordable AI solutions are available and their integration with drones will continue to accelerate.

Hypersonix and Kratos to Launch Hypersonic Drone Next Year

The DART AE drone is 3D-printed and powered by a hydrogen scramjet engine. A Kratos Defense booster will accelerate the vehicle to over Mach 5, then the Hypersonix Launch Systems Ltd. scramjet engine will ignite. Mach 5 to 12 speeds are claimed for the engine which has been tested in a shock tunnel up to Mach 10. The drone will fly autonomously “along a programmed flight path to a predetermined landing location.”

Apple drones are now reality… in orchards cultivating fruit

Apple growers have found that it is difficult to find workers to pick apples. Israeli startup Tevel Aerobotics Technologies is offering its Flying Autonomous Robots (FAR) platform. A ground vehicle slowly drives between rows of fruit trees while several quadcopters are tethered to the vehicle. They have arms and articulated grippers that identify ripe apples, pick them and place the crop on QR-coded spots. 

How Did Data Captured by Drones Help Create a Digital Twin of the Széchenyi Chain Bridge?

The Széchenyi Chain Bridge in Hungary opened in 1849 and is an historic landmark. Upgrade work on the 380m-long, 14.8m-wide suspension bridge began in 2021 and they wanted to capture a “digital twin” of the bridge. A team worked to scan and model the bridge using ground surveys, aerial scans, and boats. Ventus Tech provides professional aerial and sonar surveys and they collaborated with Bimfra Kft., a Building Information Modeling (BIM) firm.

Video: Széchenyi lánchíd digitális ikermodell elkészítése [Development of the digital twin model of the Széchenyi chain bridge]

Mentioned

Smart Shooter’s launches SMASH Dragon UAV

Smart Shooter designs, develops, and manufactures automatic targeting and firing systems for small arms. Their new SMASH Dragon is an armed drone system.

Video: SMASH Dragon Unveiled | Why An Unmanned Drone Killer UAV Is What Israel Needs Right Now

A $1B counter-UAS contract, Kittyhawk air mobility, sports game halted, no recreational drones in UAE, medical deliveries in the Navajo Nation, locating pets after a disaster, peeking at volcanos, an unidentified drone spotted, and a drone research contract at a UAS test site.

UAV NewsUS Special Ops Command Awards $1B Counter-Drone Contract

Anduril Industries has won a 10-year, $1 billion counter-UAS integration contract. Awarded by US Special Operations Command (SOCOM), Anduril is to “deliver, advance, and sustain” counter-UAS sensors and systems in a layered configuration. Anduril’s cUAS Lattice system includes a solar-powered Sentry Tower with sensors and the Anvil sUAS, all running on the Lattice operating system. The system “autonomously detects, classifies, and tracks targets, alerting operators to threats and allowing options for mitigation or engagement.”

A Larry Page-backed drone guru expects you to be a future passenger. Here’s why

Larry Page funded Kittyhawk and picked up a portion of 3D Robotics, co-founded by Chris Anderson, now the Kittyhawk COO. Kittyhawk pivoted from air mobility with a pilot to pilotless.

I am a drone guy, and this was the perfect, obvious next chapter, just bigger drones and the use case is so much more obvious, moving people from A to B more quickly and as cheaply as a car is the kind of mission I can get behind. On the tech side, there is no reason we can’t move a significant fraction of people off the roads and into the sky.Chris AndersonPremier League clash between Brentford and Wolves halted for 19 minutes due to a DRONE hovering over the west London stadium

Play of the English Premier League was halted due to an “unofficial drone” flying over the field. Both teams returned to the dressing rooms while a helicopter was used to try and shoo the drone away.

UAE bans flying of recreational drones after fatal attack

Recreational drones and light sport aircraft have been banned in the United Arab Emirates. This follows a fatal drone attack on an oil facility and a major airport. Also, some people were flying drones outside the area of their permits, often into areas where drones are prohibited. The penalty for violating the ban is heavy: Six months in jail and Dh100,000 fine for flying drones in the UAE, prosecutors says.

Navajo Nation to use drones to deliver medical supplies

The “Healing Eagle Feather” project is a partnership between MissionGo and the Navajo Nation to deliver medical supplies and other essentials with drones to people in remote areas. Cargo includes insulin kits, prepackaged meals, large animal medicine, emergency communication devices, and anti-venom. In Episode 375 we talked with MissionGO’s Frank Paskiewicz, EVP of Cargo Operations, and Ryan Henderson, Lead Pilot.

Drones for Animal Rescue: Doug Thron Flies Around the World, Saving Pets and Wildlife After Natural Disasters

Douglas Thron is a photographer and drone pilot who travels to natural disasters and conducts animal rescues. He uses a Matrice 210 V2 drone with a FLIR XT2 camera and has found and rescued distressed animals around the world. The HBO Max TV show “Doug to the Rescue” chronicles the rescues.

Volcano-observing Drone Flights Open Door to Routine Hazard Monitoring

Under a long-term collaboration between NASA and Black Swift Technologies, the S2 UAS flew over the Makushin Volcano in Alaska’s Aleutian Islands. The U.S. Geological Survey provided a payload that detects gases and collects visual and thermal images. The S2 fixed-wing drone is designed to carry scientific payloads in demanding atmospheric conditions.

Pilot Video And FAA Interview Reveal Bizarre Encounter With Unidentified Aircraft Over Atlantic City

An Air Force pilot flying a Diamond DA40 observed a strange drone above Atlantic City, New Jersey on September 16th, 2018. The KC-135 aerial refueling tanker pilot said the drone followed his aircraft.

Video: Unidentified Aircraft Encounter Over Atlantic City 9/16/18 Air-To-Air Video

FAA awards contracts for drone research at Grand Sky

More than $2 million was awarded to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. and Appareo Systems LLC. GA-ASI will focus on detect-and-avoid technology while Appareo will examine how radio signals function at different altitudes and in different environments. They’ll also conduct research to evaluate the use of LTE cellular networks for unmanned aircraft. The companies will work in conjunction with the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, near Grand Forks Air Force Base.

UAV Video of the Week

Video: MONSTER WAIMEA BAY (part one) Heavy Carnage

Video: MONSTER WAIMEA BAY (part two) Taming The Beast

A partnership for hydrogen drones and another partnership for maritime drone deliveries, Lithium-Air batteries, drones attacking U.S. troops, flying a drone over a school, UPS commitment to delivery drones, flying in the fog, and how to save a dog with a drone.

UAV NewsSoCalGas to deploy Doosan hydrogen drones in pipeline inspections

At this year’s CES, Southern California Gas Co. announced a partnership with Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI) and GTI to launch a hydrogen drone demonstration. DMI will be demonstrating their DS30 octocopter drone system that uses a DMI hydrogen fuel cell powerpack for up to 120 minutes of flight time. The DS30 can carry an 11-pound maximum payload and monitor a 1-mile-long pipeline in a single flight. SoCalGas plans to use the DS30 drone for natural gas pipeline inspections. 

Zero CO2 Emissions Drone Delivery with Sky-Drones Technologies

Sky-Drones Technologies and F-Drones are partnering to provide maritime deliveries. F-Drones Focuses on deliveries between shore, ships, and offshore platforms. They use electric autonomous VTOLs. Sky-Drones Technologies offers hardware and software for flight control, ground control, communication systems, and a cloud-based management platform. With Sky-Drones’ technology, F-Drones can relay, record, and replay live video footage from their VTOLs.

Video: SmartAP AIRLink – How it’s made

Scientists Design Lithium-air Batteries for Commercial Use in EVs, Drones

Lithium-ion batteries are nice but don’t have the energy density we’d like. On the other hand, Lithium-air batteries could have two to five times the energy density. The development of rechargeable Li-air batteries has progressed, but the study of their operation in real-world applications is lacking.

A shadowy drone force keeps attacking US troops

American troops in Iraq have been attacked with drones three times this year. All drones were shot down during attacks near Baghdad airport and near an airbase. Small drones have been used in other attacks, including in Syria, Iraq, Venezuela, and Saudi Arabia.

Policy addresses drones over school property

The Wilkes North Carolina school board has a new policy for flying drones over school property. It requires a written request for permission submitted to the superintendent or his designee at least three days in advance. Names and contact information for anyone connected with the flight are required, as well as proof of insurance coverage, proof of any required FAA permits, proof of any required N.C. Department of Transportation permit, and a detailed flight plan with a specific time and location.

UPS unlikely to revise use of drones in deliveries, despite CEO’s quasi ‘meh’ assessment

At an American Chamber of Commerce event, UPS CEO Carol Tomé said, “You can’t fly [drones] when it’s windy. You can’t fly them when it’s rainy. There are lots of issues with drones.” So is UPS toning down expectations? The article suggests this is more a “matter of UPS recalibrating rather than repudiating its use of [drones].”

Wait, why is NASA flying drones in dense fog?

NASA is flying drones in the fog because AAM (Advanced Air Mobility) aircraft will need to fly in the fog. At a special New Mexico facility, a 180-foot long fog chamber is fitted with the same types of sensors to be used for AAM aircraft, like optical and infrared cameras, radar, and LiDAR. A drone test target is at the other end of the chamber. NASA says it will release the data to companies and researchers working on sensors for AAM vehicles.

Stranded dog saved from rising tide after rescuers attach sausage to drone

Little Millie likes to wander off and she found her way onto some mudflats. The tide was coming in and the authorities couldn’t coax her to safety. So they cooked up some sausage, dangled it from a drone, and got Millie to follow it off the flats. Then she ran off again, this time inland, but was eventually found again and reunited with her owner who said, “Millie really likes food and she’ll eat anything you give her … raw carrots, cucumber – but she much prefers sausages. Meat is her favourite food, so dangling a sausage was probably the best thing they could lure her with.”

What the eVTOL industry can learn from helicopters, a counter-unmanned aircraft missile/drone, a birthday drone light show, saving lives with a drone, fused sensor data across manned and unmanned aircraft, and getting the most from the DJI Mavic 3 drone.

UAV News5 Lessons eVTOL Can Learn from Legacy Helicopter Airlines

We see what the emerging eVTOL industry can learn from the history of helicopter airlines: safety first, encouraging public acceptance, keeping a critical eye on operating costs, maintaining tight routes, and including the first and last mile.

Dog owner spends nearly $16K on drones to celebrate pooch’s birthday

A woman in China hired 520 drones to spell out “Happy 10th birthday to Doudou” for her dog. The drone light show featured a birthday cake and a jack-in-a-box-like present. Authorities said they would have shot down the drones if they had seen them.

This Footage Of Jet-Powered Coyote Drones Obliterating Other Drones Is Incredible

Raytheon Missiles & Defense released a video showing Coyote missiles launched from a truck and taking out different fixed-wing drones. In partnership with the U.S. Army’s Integrated Fires and Rapid Capabilities Office, the tests used precision targeting radar and mobile sensing radar to detect and defeat drones of varying size and range. Raytheon says the Coyote 2s have a “dogfight-type of capability” and are capable of engaging highly maneuverable targets.

Video: Raytheon Missiles & Defense proves counter-UAS effectiveness against enemy drones

Drone helps save cardiac arrest patient in Sweden

A 71-year-old man suffered a cardiac arrest while shoveling snow in Sweden. Everdrone dispatched an autonomous drone with an Automated External Defibrillator. It arrived within 3 minutes and a doctor on the scene used the defibrillator at the man’s house – all this before the ambulance arrived.

Video: Everdrone’s emergency medical delivery service in action in Sweden

Two GA-ASI Avengers Equipped with Lockheed Martin Legion Pods Autonomously Send Fused Air Threat Data to Command Center

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has demonstrated sending fused sensor data to a command center. The long-range air threat data was captured passively by two Avenger® Unmanned Aircraft Systems and fused by an advanced sensor algorithm. The Avengers were each equipped with a Lockheed Martin Legion Pod®. GA-ASI Senior Director of Advanced Programs Michael Atwood said, “Avenger with Legion Pod demonstrates how collaborative autonomous platforms with advanced sensing can deliver persistent, shared air domain awareness.”

Video: Legion Pod Flies on F-16

28 MUST KNOW Tips & Settings for DJI Mavic 3

Dan from DansTube.TV recently created a tips and settings video for the DJI Mavic 3, a professional-grade cinematic drone with a 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera and 28x hybrid zoom.

Video: 28 MUST KNOW Tips & Settings for DJI Mavic 3

UAV Video of the Week

Drone that can fly and swim unveiled

Developed by telecom company KDDI, the drone floats on water and releases a second, underwater drone from its belly cage. The underwater drone can survey fish and shellfish farms or perform infrastructure inspection of facilities such as dams.

Video: Drone that can fly and swim unveiled

RaceDayQuads v. FAA and the Remote ID rule, drones for law enforcement and telehealth, Russian attack drones and drones that recharge from power lines, a DARPA program for underwater drones, and finding lost hikers.

UAV NewsD.C. Circuit May Blow Up the Remote Identification Rule for Drones

Oral arguments were heard in the RaceDayQuads v. FAA case where the FAA’s remote identification (RID) rule is being challenged.

In brief, the RID rule applies to small drones (0.55-55 lbs) which would broadcast a “digital license plate” over WiFi and/or Bluetooth with a unique identifier, position, altitude, velocity, control station coordinates, and other “message elements.” The broadcast would be openly accessible by anyone. 

This RID capability must be either hardwired into the drone (Standard Remote ID) or attached externally in the form of a module (Broadcast Module RID or BMID). Drones without RID can only fly in FAA-recognized identification areas (FRIAs) under the purview of community-based organizations and educational institutions.

Manufacturers have until September 2022 to comply. Drone operators have until September 2023 to comply.

RaceDayQuads (RDQ) is a large online retailer that supports first-person view (FPV) drone-racing customers. RDQ’s co-founder and CEO, Tyler Brennan said he seeks “to protect the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens to be free from unreasonable searches from the government when they are flying in their own backyards.” RDQ alleges that:

• The rule is a violation of the Fourth Amendment because it allows warrantless tracking in a backyard.
• The FAA arbitrarily and capriciously relied on undisclosed ex parte communications during the rulemaking process.
• The final rule was not a logical outgrowth from the NPRM.
• The FAA failed to comply with a legal mandate to consult with Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
• The FAA failed to address significant public comments as required by the Administrative Procedure Act. 

For its part, the Government contends:

• Merely requiring RID technology onboard a drone does not equate to an unreasonable search. 
• Planes flying in public view do not give rise to a reasonable expectation of privacy.
• Even if the rule did violate the Fourth Amendment, the special needs exception would legally justify it.

A ruling is likely to come sometime in early 2022. 

Autonomous drones to respond to gunshots in new policing system

US company ShotSpotter and Israel-based Airobotics are teaming to provide Israeli law enforcement agencies with a system that detects and locates gunfire, alerts the police, and provides live drone video footage and stills of the scene. ShotSpotter would identify and locate the sound of gunshots with a network of acoustic sensors. Airobotics would deploy its autonomous drones to the ShotSpotter coordinates.

Special Delivery: Drones bring the doctor to you: Medicine’s next big thing?

Manish Kumar, Ph.D., Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cincinnati says, “We are building a telehealth drone that will have the ability to go inside people’s homes.” Engineers are designing and testing a system with sensors that allow the drones to maneuver through a front door and into a patient’s living room. Patients would connect with a doctor for a telehealth appointment. A medical kit on the drone would be used to measure and transmit health information.

Russian Orion Drone Downs Unmanned Copter

In a video, the Russian Ministry of Defense (MoD) shows an Orion reconnaissance and attack drone that fired an air-to-air missile and destroyed a hovering unmanned helicopter. The drone is also to be fitted with an electronic warfare suite “to defend itself against missiles…and to suppress any enemy systems in the interests of other units on the battlefield.” 

Video: Первое применение беспилотника «Орион» по воздушной цели

Russia Developing Drones Chargeable From Power Lines

The drone clamps onto a power line and charges its battery. While charging, the camera is operational and the drone adjusts its position. After it’s charged up, the current clamp disconnects, and the drone flies away. This comes from the Tyumen Higher Military Engineering Command School.

These New Underwater Drones Made By DARPA Take Inspiration From Manta Rays

DARPA, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, awarded Phase 2 contracts to prime contractors Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation and Martin Defense Group. Each is developing full-scale demonstration vehicles for the Manta Ray program.

Video: Manta Ray – Breaking the UUV mold

Virginia fire department finds lost hikers via drones on Christmas

Two hikers were reported missing on Christmas at Sharp Top Mountain near the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. The Bedford (Virginia) Fire Department was dispatched to find the hikers. They set up a command post, launched a drone that found the hikers, and sent in rescuers to guide them out.

Measuring kinetic energy to certify drone flights over people, additional funding for Dedrone, documenting endangered heritage sites, Italian heavy-lift multirotors, testing the MQ-25 refueling drone on an aircraft carrier, defining the “next” Reaper, an FAA grant for UAS training, and Navy harassment by drone swarms.

UAV NewsTest methods for drones help put a crucial rule for safe flights over people into practice

To certify drones for flight over people, the FAA links injury severity to kinetic energy. But the classic calculation of kinetic energy using mass and velocity makes some assumptions that aren’t applicable to a drone hitting a human head. So the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) along with the Department of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics developed a testing methodology for the actual kinetic energy from a drone impact.

Dedrone Secures $30.5 Million Series C to Protect Airspace Against Unauthorized DronesAxon Invests in Dedrone: Partnership Between Public Safety and Counter Drone Technologies

Airspace security company Dedrone closed a $30.5 million Series C financing round led by Axon and including previous investors. Dedrone sold over 1,000 sensors in the past year that detect, identify, and locate over 200 different types of drones. Customers include more than 65 critical infrastructures, 50 correctional facilities, 20 airports, 10 Fortune 500 companies, and four of the seven G-7 nations.

Using drones to capture coastal heritage before it’s lost

The Seaford Head Project wants to assess and record the archeology of Seaford Head before it is lost to coastal erosion. They are developing ways to quickly assess the situation and record the data, including using drones to survey the site and create 3D models. The project intends to create a template that can be replicated for other heritage agencies, landowners, and community groups.

Two Italian heavy-lift drones deliver 52 kg of cargo in Turin

Italian company FlyingBasket flew two FB3 drones, each carrying 26 kg (57 lb) of cargo, from a postal center to a destination 3.9 km (2.4 miles) away, then returned to the postal center. For the demonstration, FlyingBasket partnered with Leonardo and the Italian postal service. The FB3 drones were flown mainly over the Stura di Lanzo river. One FB3 carried its load in an internal compartment, while the other in a sling hung on a hook.

MQ-25 winds up deck handling tests on US aircraft carrier

The MQ-25 Stingray UAV has been tested by Boeing and the US Navy on an aircraft carrier to assess deck handling characteristics. The MQ-25 is intended for air-to-air refueling missions. The MQ-25 taxied, connected to catapults, cleared the landing area, and practiced parking. The USN has plans for initial operational capability by 2024 and to purchase as many as 76 aircraft.

Promotional video from Boeing: MQ-25 Completes First U.S. Navy Carrier Tests

“MQ-Next”: The U.S. Air Force’s Plan for an Unmanned Aircraft

The Air Force is developing a plan for the MQ-9 Reaper replacement aircraft, called “MQ-Next.” It might not look like the MQ-9 – perhaps smaller, stealthier, and more lethal. The MQ-Next might operate in swarms and will likely be networked with manned-unmanned teaming. It’s not expected to be operational until 2031 so there is plenty of time to define the requirements.

Flying high: FAA funds NMC’s high school drone education program

Northwestern Michigan College received a $90,000 grant from the FAA. Forty high school teachers will be trained on the fundamentals of Unmanned Aerial Systems. Each teacher will receive a multi-rotor drone to use with their own students. Congress appropriated $5 million to the FAA to grant projects like this. The grant builds on NMC’s selection in 2020 under the UAS Collegiate Training Program.

Harassment Of Navy Destroyers By Mysterious Drone Swarms Off California Went On For Weeks

This occurred in 2019, but new details are emerging after examining documents released under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The sightings occurred throughout July 2019. Drone countermeasure teams were activated and in one event, at least three ships observed multiple drones. The destroyer USS Paul Hamilton made abrupt changes in direction, and the drone followed it. Counter UAS exercises were executed

UAV Video of the Week

Jaybyrdfilms’ insane drone video inside live baseball workout

Guided cargo delivery drone from Silent Arrow, the best cities for flying a drone, bringing power to those without, sailing the Gulf Stream, an airline plans for drone delivery, protecting the Pope from rogue drones, and DJI end of support.

UAV NewsThese gliding drones could deliver supplies from Air Force planes to the battlefield

Drone maker Silent Arrow® has won a contract from the Air Force for 15 “Precision Guided Cargo Delivery Drones.” In this Small Business Innovation Research (“SBIR”) Phase II contract, the GD-2000 (Glider, Disposable, 2000 pounds) platform will be scaled down and called the Silent Arrow Precision Guided Bundle (SA-PGB). Initially developed as an autonomous cargo delivery glider, it will be designed for side door and multi-unit (swarm) ramp deployment. The SA-PGB will be compatible with a fleet of delivery aircraft.

The best cities for flying a drone (and one you should definitely avoid)

This article provides information about cities with drone-friendly areas and photographic views. Most locations are in unrestricted Class G airspace. The best: Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Chicago, IL, Bar Harbor, ME, Houston, TX.

Power drones: Toyota supplier tries novel fix to disaster outages

Japanese automotive supplier Aisan has a concept for a disaster relief drone that could deliver power to areas that are cut off from the grid. The gasolene-powered engine would charge a battery that could power lights and recharge phones.

Three ocean drones launched from Newport; will spend six months gathering data from Gulf Stream

The uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) have been sent on a mission to sail through the Gulf Stream. The Saildrone vehicles will spend six months collecting data to assist weather forecasting and carbon accounting. This effort is led by the University of Rhode Island (URI) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). It’s funded by a grant from the Google.org Impact Challenge on Climate. The Saildrones are designed to survive harsh weather conditions that crewed ships could not.

SpiceJet plans drone delivery service for medical and essential supplies in remote areas

Indian domestic airline SpiceJet plans to introduce a drone delivery service to serve remote areas for medical and other essential supplies. The customized drones will allow for different payload weights and the initial focus is mid-mile deliveries. Last-mile deliveries are planned for later. The airline’s cargo unit SpiceXpress will provide the service in partnership with Throttle Aerospace for the drones and Aeologic for drone software management.

Rogue drone removed from Pope Francis mass in Slovakia

A mass led by Pope Francis with 60,000 attendees, 90 bishops, and 500 priests was protected by D-Fend Solutions. The company’s EnforceAir Ground-Level Tactical kit anti-drone technology detected a rogue drone and took control of it. See the Press release.

DJI will stop providing support for these products from March 2022

The end of service (EOS) timeline for some products includes: older drones, controllers, gimbals, transmitters, motors, and other accessories. Drones include Wind 1 and 2, Spreading Wings S900 and S1000+, and Flame Wheel ARF KIT F550 / F450 / F330.

UAV Video of the Week

Video: Michigan Christmas Tree Drone Footage

Mentioned

2021 events from Taking Autism To The Skys (TATTS), using drones to develop social and employment skills for autistic individuals.