The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) recently conducted an inspection of the Delaware Memorial Bridge Twin Span using an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) or drone. Keystone Aerial Surveys, Inc., based at Northeast Philadelphia Airport, in cooperation with WSP/Parsons Brinckerhoff, utilized an Inspire Pro 1 and Maverik X8 to perform the inspection services for DRBA as a test of the technology. The test inspection flights occurred on the New Jersey side of the Bridge complex on Tuesday, April 5. Continue reading
Drone-Mounted NIR to Find out Where the Bodies Are
Near infrared (NIR) is an analytical technique used in a variety of applications, from drug tablet manufacturing to detecting counterfeit products. It can also tell you where the bodies are buried. Continue reading
Communication Range of 120 km by SpyLite Mini UAV
BlueBird Aero Systems Ltd – a designer and developer of combat-proven Micro, Mini and Small tactical UAS solutions and peripheral equipment – announced that its SpyLite Mini UAV, weighing only ~9 kg, has achieved an extraordinary communication range of 120 km, an outstanding achievement and a new world record in the Mini UAV category. Continue reading
Brimstone Reaper Integration Still in Pipeline
MBDA is still hopeful its dual-mode Brimstone air-to-surface missile will be carried on General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air vehicles, as it awaits requirements that will lead to the next round of testing.
Drones Wear Out Excitable Pooches
A rescue centre for dogs has a unique and rather ingenious way of exercising the ‘hyper’ animals in its care. Whitehall Dog Rescue in East Ardsley, West Yorkshire purchased a drone to be chased by its four-legged residents in a bid to wear them out before bed. Continue reading
Avro 504K Take-Off and Flame-Out
The Vintage Aviator Ltd’s original WW1 Avro 504K takes off, and then lands at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton, New Zealand. Continue reading
FAA Reviews and Publishes Micro UAS Report
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently reviewing the report and recommendations of the Micro Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee. The agency had tasked the group to develop recommendations for performance-based regulations that would let certain unmanned aircraft operate over people not directly involved in the flight of the aircraft. Continue reading
DARPA Flight Tests Demonstrate Optical Sense-and-Avoid Capability
A research effort associated with DARPA’s Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program recently conducted the first successful flight tests of a shoebox-sized, plug-and-play system designed to enable manned and unmanned aircraft to automatically detect nearby aircraft and avoid potential mid-air collisions. An unmanned air vehicle (UAV) repeatedly used the technology demonstration system to detect and track in real time a Cessna 172G aircraft approaching from various vertical and horizontal distances. Continue reading