Hank sat impassively on a Virginia Tech athletic field, ready to take it on the chin for the future of drone commerce. About 30 yards away, an eight-rotor unmanned copter hovered, buzzing like a swarm of bees. The 21-pound drone tilted forward, accelerated sharply and slammed into Hank’s head, smacking the crash-test dummy’s neck backward and embedding shards of shattered propeller in his plastic face. Continue reading
USAF Tests Drone for C-17 Post-Flight Inspection
The 412th Test Wing’s Emerging Technologies Combined Test Force used a quadcopter to conduct a maintenance inspection of the exterior of a C-17 Globemaster III here March 6, 2017. Continue reading
Hughes Wins Satcom Contract for UK Predator Fleet
Hughes Network Systems will provide satellite communications for the United Kingdom’s fleet of Predator B remotely piloted aircraft, the company announced March 6.
Remote Identification – The Next Big Hurdle for Drone Regulations
“Who is that, and are they allowed to be here?”
We’ve hit a snag in the progression of new drone regulations, and it’s not related to the current political environment regarding curbing new regulations. There is a big technical hurdle to overcome before the industry can move on – and there is a legislative deadline of July 2017 to solve it. Continue reading
Drones to Monitor Tiger Reserves in India
Conservation drones will soon hover over select tiger reserves in India, marking the beginning of significant technological intervention in wildlife conservation. Continue reading
Drones Intruded US Air Force & Navy Nuclear Faciities
Drone aircraft recently carried out unauthorized intrusions over Air Force and Navy nuclear facilities, and the incidents pose a growing threat, the commander of the U.S. Strategic Command disclosed to Congress last week. Continue reading
DFS and Unifly Develop Drone Safety App
DFS Deutsche Flugsicherung based in Langen, Germany, and Unifly NV based in Antwerp, Belgium, signed a cooperation agreement at the World ATM Congress 2017 in Madrid to jointly develop and market a DFS drone app to be released on the German market later this year. Continue reading
UAE Creates No-Fly Zones, Bans Cameras on Drones
Drones, autogiros and gyroscopes are banned from flying five kilometres from airports and helipads, and some other restricted zones including residential, commercial and sports areas. It is also not permitted to install cameras on such drones or unmanned aircraft, said a press release issued by the Ministry of Interior on Wednesday. Continue reading