On the night of Thursday, July 26, during 2018 EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, a UAS light show lit up the sky in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.
As Lee Greenwood's “God Bless the U.S.A.” played over loudspeakers, the UAS formed a double heart and eagle before flying around to spell out EAA and finish with an American flag.
The light show was performed by Great Lakes Drone Company, which is one of just three companies in the U.S. approved by the FAA to perform lighted drone shows.
The company has four stock shows ranging from 25 to 100 UAS, as well as shows it customizes for customers.
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Coconino County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue Unit hoping to expand its UAS capabilities
In Flagstaff, Arizona, the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue Unit's UAS program is approximately two years old.
The agency started its program after purchasing consumer UAS such as the DJI Phantom 4, and currently, there are four people trained to fly UAS, with each having earned a standard FAA Part 107 Drone Pilot License.
Right now, the UAS are mainly used to search for missing people, as they can be deployed to efficiently search open meadows and stretches of desert, which not only saves boots on the ground, but also allows search and rescue supervisors to better use volunteers searching places that are not ideal for UAS, such as under tree canopies.
Intel celebrates 50th anniversary with record-setting drone light show
On July 18, Intel flew 2,018 Intel Shooting Star drones over its Folsom, California facility in celebration of its 50th anniversary.
The company’s latest drone light show set a new Guinness World Records title for the most unmanned aerial vehicles airborne simultaneously.
“Several years ago, we had an idea of flying drones forming the Intel logo over our corporate headquarters, and here we are doing just that,” says Anil Nanduri, vice president and general manager, Intel Drone Group.
“It really speaks to the innovative spirit that Intel was founded on 50 years ago.”
Airbus and International SOS to study use of UAS to deliver medical cargo and supplies
On July 18, Airbus signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with medical and security risk services company International SOS, which will result in the companies jointly studying the viability of using aircraft or UAS to deliver medical cargo and supplies.
Under the agreement, Airbus will help to define and install reliable aircraft or UAS medical cargo deliveries as part of International SOS MedSupply services.
“We hope to develop a viable business partnership where we can assist International SOS with unmanned medical cargo delivery,” says Dirk Hoke, Chief Executive Officer, Airbus Defence and Space.
Aeronyde and Unifly to provide emergency responders with advanced UAS technology
Aeronyde and Unifly have announced a partnership to bring advanced UAS technology to emergency responders.
The companies will create an “efficient self-flying system” for police and fire departments by integrating Unifly’s Unmanned Traffic Management services, along with Aeronyde’s system for Autonomous flight.
“Whenever I visit a new city, I look up and see endless possibility,” says Edgar Munoz, CEO of Aeronyde.
Boeing and SparkCognition partner to deliver UTM technology
Boeing has announced that it is working with SparkCognition, an artificial intelligence (AI) technology company, to deliver UAS traffic management (UTM) technologies.
The companies will use artificial intelligence and blockchain technologies to track UAS in flight, and allocate traffic corridors and routes to ensure safe, secure transportation. Through the collaboration, the companies will also provide a standardized programming interface to support commercial applications such as package delivery and industrial inspections.
“Estimated by some analysts at $3 trillion, the urban aerial mobility opportunity will lead to the creation of the largest new market in our lifetimes,” says Amir Husain, founder and CEO of SparkCognition.
Purdue Extension offering UAS demonstrations to help Indiana farmers
This summer, Purdue Extension, which offers research-based information and expertise to millions of people in Indiana, will host a series of demonstrations throughout the state, to help Indiana farmers take full advantage of new UAS technology.
“This is perhaps the biggest innovation in agricultural technology I’ve seen,” says Bob Nielsen, Purdue Extension corn specialist for 36 years. “The possibilities for data collection are tremendous.”
GA-ASI to provide UAS to Royal Netherlands Air Force
After consideration by the Ministry of Defence for the Netherlands, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has been selected to provide the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) with its UAS.
GA-ASI will deliver its Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper Medium Altitude, Long-endurance (MALE) UAS to the Dutch Military.
“We are extremely pleased to have the opportunity to meet the UAS requirements of the Royal Netherlands Air Force,” says Linden Blue, CEO of GA-ASI.
“We are committed to providing a NATO-interoperable solution that enhances the ISR capabilities of the Netherlands and the Alliance.”
Mississippi's Vicksburg Police Department set to acquire UAS
The Vicksburg Police Department (VPD) in Vicksburg, Mississippi is primed to acquire a UAS by the close of the fiscal year.
Last week, the Board of Mayor and Aldermen accepted an FAA certificate of authorization that allows the department to fly a UAS at or below 400 feet altitude.
Vicksburg's mayor, George Flaggs Jr., supports the department getting this new piece of technology.
“I think they are absolutely to be commended,” Flaggs Jr. says via the Vicksburg Post. “Anytime they can get another tool that the city of Vicksburg can use to prevent crime and monitor crime that’s absolutely good news.”
UAVOS completes flight test of UAS that is powered by the Sun
UAVOS Inc. has completed flight tests of its unmanned SAT-i aircraft, which is powered by the Sun.
Designed to perform monitoring and aerial photography during daylight hours, the UAS has demonstrated high performance capabilities thus far, having successfully completed a non-stop 10-hour mission for aerial photography of the surface relief, with a payload of a 600-gram mirrorless camera.
“Based on UAVOS experience, to achieve high quality aerial photography, work has to be done in the daytime with a good level of illumination,” explains Vadim Tarasov UAVOS investor and board member.
