As the Yalobusha River rose around Greenwood, Mississippi, during a major rainstorm in late February, scientists from the Northern Gulf Institute at Mississippi State University deployed a small unmanned plane that took high-resolution images of rising waters and beamed them back in real time to NOAA weather forecasters. Continue reading
Category Archives: Non-Military & Commercial UAS
Using Infrared Drone Technology to Inspect Solar Panels
An East Coast industrial plant had for months experienced a significant drop off in energy production from its 36,000-square-foot solar field. The plant’s maintenance team had been unable to find any problems with the solar panels during routine thermal/infrared monitoring from the ground. Continue reading
Using Drones for Inspecting Power Plant Boilers in Japan
Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd. (MHPS) is putting into practical service unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to more easily and efficiently inspect the interiors of power plant boilers and other large indoor structures. Demonstration testing for manually operated drones was completed last year, and MHPS plans to begin offering the inspection service from April 2019. Continue reading
ADAMA Partners with Tactical Robotics on Ag-Cormorant
https://youtu.be/x8mGw57OhX4
Global crop protection company ADAMA Ltd. has partnered with Tactical Robotics Ltd., an Israeli aerospace company, in a joint feasibility study for a High-Payload, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) for Aerial Spraying. Continue reading
Ameren Completes 60-mile BVLoS Flight over Transmission Lines
With thousands of miles of high-voltage lines, Ameren Corp. wanted a better and safer way to monitor its assets spread over rural territories beyond manual or helicopter inspections. The St. Louis-based energy company worked with Black & Veatch and Collins Aerospace to identify a solution: Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone flights. Continue reading
Cyberhawk Buyout Backed by Magnesium Capital
Cyberhawk Innovations Limited, a provider of UAV inspection services and asset visualisation software, has been acquired by funds advised by Magnesium Capital LLP, a London-based private equity firm. Acuity’s Andy Lister advised Cyberhawk on the transaction. Continue reading
UPS and Matternet to Transport Medical Samples in Raleigh, North Carolina
UPS has announced a groundbreaking new logistics service to deliver medical samples via unmanned drones through a collaboration with Matternet, a leader in autonomous drone technology. The program is taking place at WakeMed’s flagship hospital and campus in the Raleigh, N.C., metropolitan area, with oversight by the Federal Aviation Administration and North Carolina Department of Transportation. Continue reading
$43M Deal to Trial Heavylift UAS Freighters in Alaska
Sabrewing Aircraft Company, Inc. and the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island (ACSPI), the Unangan (Aleut) Tribe of Native Alaskans, located on St. Paul and St. George, Pribilof Islands, jointly announced that they have signed a history-making agreement for Sabrewing to provide a mix of up to ten aircraft – featuring both the 800-pound-payload “Rhaegal” and the 4400-pound-payload “Wyvern” aircraft. Continue reading






