Persistent Systems has announced that General Dynamics Land Systems (GD) has joined Persistent's Wave Relay Ecosystem, which is an alliance of industry-leading companies that have integrated Wave Relay MANET radios onto their products.
According to Persistent, GD will equip its unmanned, controllerless small-unit robotic follower, the Multi-Utility Tactical Transport (MUTT) vehicle, with Persistent’s Wave Relay mobile ad hoc network (MANET) technology.
The Wave Relay MANET technology is integrated via the MPU5 smart radio, and serves as the data link for command and control, payload control, and HD video streaming.
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uAvionix offering free pingRX UAS ADS-B receivers to organizations helping with Hurricane Dorian recovery efforts
With Hurricane Dorian posing a significant threat to Florida and the Southeast of the U.S., uAvionix has announced that it will offer free pingRX UAS ADS-B receivers to first responders and UAS service organizations taking part in the rescue and recovery efforts associated with the massive storm.
HiDRON stratospheric glider successfully reaches altitude of 30 kilometers
UAVOS and Stratodynamics have announced that their HiDRON stratospheric glider successfully reached and flew from an altitude of 30 kilometers (98,450 feet), which broke their previous record of 25 kilometers in the process.
During the flight, a new mini-EUSO (Extreme Universe Science Observation) AMON Airglow detector from the Slovak Academy of Sciences Institute of Experimental Physics was tested. UAVOS and Stratodynamics also used this flight as an opportunity to test and advance several aspects of the HiDRON design including stratospheric flight dynamics, data links, and UAVOS’ Autopilot.
Oneida Indian Nation partners with NUAIR to use UAS to monitor and protect land and environmental resources
In an effort to enhance its ability to monitor, observe, manage and protect its lands and environmental resources using UAS technology, the Oneida Indian Nation, which is an indigenous nation of American Indian people whose sacred and sovereign homelands are located in Central New York, has partnered with Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research (NUAIR).
The Nation will leverage NUAIR’s UAS and related technologies, as well as its expertise, to gather and assess data about its lands and environmental resources, mainly from isolated or hard-to-reach areas. The Nation will also use this technology to further implement and enforce programs aimed at protecting these resources.
Bell's Autonomous Pod Transport 70 successfully completes first autonomous flight
Bell Textron Inc. has announced that its Autonomous Pod Transport (APT) 70 has successfully completed its first autonomous flight at the company’s testing site near Fort Worth, Texas.
Throughout the rest of 2019, Bell plans to continue testing the vehicle under an experimental type certificate.
“We are excited to reach this milestone, and look forward to continuing to advance this technology for our customers,” says Scott Drennan, vice president, Innovation.
DroneResponders surpasses 600 member public safety agencies; launches Fall 2019 Public Safety UAS research survey
DroneResponders, a non-profit program that supports public safety UAS, has announced that it has surpassed 600 member public safety agencies that are operating UAS.
To recognize this milestone, the Florida-based program has launched its Fall 2019 Public Safety UAS research survey, which is designed to collect data from various organizations that use UAS for public safety missions, including emergency management, fire response and law enforcement.
Maui Electric Company to use UAS to conduct routine aerial power line inspections
This week, Maui Electric Company will use UAS and a helicopter to conduct routine aerial power line inspections throughout the island of Maui, weather permitting.
As part of the aerial survey, documentation will be done using a remote light detection and ranging surveying instrument, providing updated maps of the island’s transmission lines and other electrical infrastructure.
A helicopter and inspectors on foot will also assess spans of electrical equipment in areas that have certain air space regulations or limited functioning ranges for the UAS operators.
Airbus Aerial granted waiver to conduct BVLOS ops without visual observer in Grand Forks
The FAA has granted Airbus Aerial a waiver to conduct beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) UAS operations without the need for a visual observer in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Airbus Aerial will perform these flights under the North Dakota Department of Transportation’s UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP).
“UAS are a critical aspect of the future of aviation in America – and, in fact, globally. We are honored to be a part of such an important, historic effort,” says Jesse Kallman, head of Airbus Defense and Space’s Intelligence business activities in North America.
AeroVironment awarded $45 million contract for its RQ-11B Raven small UAS
AeroVironment has announced that on July 25, it received a firm fixed-price contract award for $45,190,881 for its RQ-11B Raven small UAS and initial spares packages.
Impossible Aerospace's US-1 crosses northern Nevada desert without recharging
Impossible Aerospace has announced that its US-1 “flying battery” quadcopter is the first aircraft of its kind to cross the northern Nevada desert without recharging.
The feat was accomplished on Aug. 6 during repeated 72-minute flights across the playa.
“The US-1 is the first major breakthrough in drone performance since the introduction of the quadcopter,” says Spencer Gore, CEO.
“More importantly, is the first battery-electric aircraft to rival the performance of a conventionally powered system.”
