After receiving approvals from Transport Canada to begin testing its newest cargo delivery drone, Drone Delivery Canada (DDC) has begun testing the Falcon UAS within Southern Ontario.
DDC notes that the Falcon, which has been in development for almost a year, is the big brother of the company’s Sparrow UAS, which is also designed for cargo delivery.
Payloads
Payloads
DJI's new customizable drone protection service plan meets needs of commercial UAS operators
DJI has introduced its new customizable drone protection service plan called DJI Enterprise Shield.
Designed to “meet the diverse needs of today’s commercial drone operators,” DJI Enterprise Shield is the first comprehensive coverage plan of its kind that covers the company’s line of enterprise products, providing broad accident coverage, repair and replacement services, free shipping and rapid delivery, and the option to share coverage across a fleet of enterprise products.
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.
Schiebel's Camcopter S-100 UAS successfully completes trials for Belgian Navy
From June 21 to July 1, Schiebel “effectively demonstrated” the search and rescue and maritime surveillance capabilities of its Camcopter S-100 UAS to the Belgian Navy.
Schiebel's goals for the trials with the Belgian Navy were to build an enhanced knowledge base, and develop a successful concept of operations, for the use of UAS in support of search and rescue (SAR) operations, as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions.
The demonstration flights were designed to show Camcopter's suitability for these capabilities. With this in mind, the Camcopter S-100 was equipped with two payloads, the L3 Wescam MX-10 and the Overwatch Imaging PT-8 Oceanwatch, as well as an automatic identification system (AIS) receiver and a rescue drop box.
Aeryon Defense provides details on new R80D SkyRaider UAS
Aeryon Defense USA has released details on the R80D SkyRaider, which is the company's new multi-mission Defense and Federal Government Group 1 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) small UAS.
Aeryon Defense calls the SkyRaider its “most advanced military-grade sUAS,” as it delivers “a range of versatile Group 2-3 payload capabilities with the agility and single-operator deployment footprint of a proven Group 1 VTOL aircraft.” Some of the SkyRaider's core capabilities include Tactical Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Persistent Overwatch and payload delivery.
Schiebel and Airbus Helicopters demonstrate Manned UnManned Teaming
On April 17, Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 UAS and Airbus Helicopters’ manned H145 successfully completed a series of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) flights.
The user onboard the manned aircraft was provided full command and control over the UAS and its payload — including launch and recovery — allowing Level 5 interoperability to be achieved.
The demonstration took place as part of a technology partnership between the Austrian Armaments and Defense Technology Agency and Schiebel. The purpose of the demonstration was to look into the benefits and challenges of delivering MUM-T flight operations, especially those with “highly valuable, mission-enhancing advantages for army aviation.”
Riptide releases second generation micro UUV
Riptide Autonomous Solutions launched its second generation “micro” UUV product during Oceanology International 2018 in London.
Riptide says that the MK II product offers “significant improvements” over the MK I µUUV.
With a focus on performance and manufacturability improvements, the new MKII µUUV has undergone a “near-total redesign of internal electronics.” As a result, it offers a “nearly 70% reduction” in hotel load power to 3.5 Watts, which extends vehicle endurance across the vehicle speed regime.
New manufacturing approaches—including increased use of molded parts instead of 3-D printed parts—allows for “expanded depth ratings, faster production times and improved quality assurance.”
UAVOS introduces new VTOL UAV
During the UMEX conference in Abu Dhabi, UAVOS Inc. is introducing “«SURVEYOR-H» Unmanned Aerial System with «UVH-290E» drone vertical takeoff/landing.”
In the “tractor” modification, the new unmanned helicopter has a takeoff weight of 192 pounds. UAVOS says that the UAV is designed so that parameters such as durability, extended operation life, ease of use and serviceability have a priority over flight time and load capacity of UAVs.
InstantEye Robotics receives order for 800 of its InstantEye Mk-2 GEN3-A0 sUAS systems
InstantEye Robotics has received an order from the Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-263) for 800 of its InstantEye Mk-2 GEN3-A0 sUAS systems.
The systems delivered under this contract will provide organic surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities, in support of deployed Marine infantry squads.
“We are excited that InstantEye has been selected by the Marines as their squad-level sUAS asset,” says Tom Vaneck, Vice President of InstantEye Robotics.
Riptide announces expansion of UUV payload options
Riptide Autonomous Solutions says that the ease of integration of payloads into its product line of UUVs “has been a key value proposition for diverse customers,” and this flexibility was recently demonstrated by the quick integration of a new sonar and a WiFi data system.
Recently, Riptide took part in a US SOCOM effort to evaluate diver assistance aids. During this program, a Klein 3500 Combined Side Scan and Interferometric Sonar was integrated into a Riptide 1MP 1 Man Portable 7.5” (190mm) diameter UUV/AUV in less than four working days. Successful field demonstrations followed this quick integration.