A recently unearthed patent filing reveals a possible endgame for the drone delivery agenda: The use of roving “airborne fulfilment centers” (AFCs) to make Prime deliveries. Continue reading
South Korea’s National Standard on Drones
The Korean Agency for Technology & Standards (KATS) of the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy said that it announced the world’s first national standard on drones on December 30. Continue reading
General Atomics Gets $349M USAF Support Contract
The U.S. Air Force has awarded General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. a $349.1 million cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide support services for the MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial systems.
US Army Researchers Demonstrate 3-D Printed Drones
US soldiers witnessed the innovation of Army researchers recently during flight testing of 3-D printed unmanned aircraft systems that were created on-demand for specific missions. Continue reading
Goleta Star Gets US Department of Homeland Security Silicon Valley Innovation Program Contract
Goleta Star LLC has announced that it has been awarded a DHS Silicon Valley Innovation Program contract worth $200,000. Goleta Star will demonstrate the unique capabilities of its VideoRadar product to track vehicles and people illegally crossing the US border for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Transport Canada Launches Online “Drone Incident” Reporting Tool
Canadians expect to feel safe on the ground and in the sky, which is why Transport Canada is moving forward with a number of safety initiatives for drones. Continue reading
Amazon Patents Drone Protection System
Amazon’s latest patent, called ‘Countermeasure for Threats to an Uncrewed Autonomous Vehicle’, was filed on November 17, 2014 and was published last week. If a drone is stuck with a rock, gun or even an arrow, the system will deploy ‘a protective device such as an airbag, foam, parachute, bumper and so forth’.