The UK government is continuing to push the nation ahead in unmanned air vehicle operations, as it calls for a more realistic approach to the issue of airspace integration. As the UK works towards permitting beyond line of sight UAV operations by 2020, the UAV lead at the Department for Transport (DfT) has urged more realism in tackling regulatory and safety concerns, so that rules are implemented correctly. Continue reading
Measure Launches Franchise System
Measure has announced Measure Nationwide, a proprietary franchise system that will be working to convert existing commercial drone operators around the country into Measure franchisees. Continue reading
Woolpert Deploys UAS to Collect Imagery for Rural Roads Project
Woolpert has been hired by Michigan Tech Research Institute (MTRI) to collect imagery via unmanned aerial system (UAS), or drone, of haul roads throughout the Midwest. Continue reading
Hijack a UAV? Not so Easy as China TV Discovers
At the 3.15 Gala hosted by China’s nationwide TV network CCTV this year, white hat hackers demonstrated how they could utilize vulnerabilities to remotely hijack an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), sparking a debate among consumers about and focusing their attention on the security of smart devices. Continue reading
Lloyd’s Register’s Issues Guidance Notes on UAS
Lloyd’s Register’s first phase of its guidance notes for drones and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) is launched today, giving operators in the energy and marine industries confidence in using UAS for offshore, marine and onshore surveys and in-service inspections.
New Partnership for BVLOS for Power Line Inspections
The Edison Electric Institute (EEI) and Sharper Shape, an operator of automated Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS)-based asset inspection, have formed an innovative partnership to demonstrate and develop commercial UAS beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) flights for electric companies. Continue reading
UAV Factory Launches ISR Solutions Division
UAV Factory has announced the launch of a new division, Octopus ISR Systems. The new division offers a complete set of ISR solutions consisting of Epsilon advanced gimbals, IP datalinks, tracking antennas, and ground control stations. The Octopus ISR Systems division focuses on manufacturers and users of unmanned and manned systems whose existing aircraft or vehicles operate on air, land, or sea.
General Atomics Gets $54M US Air Force MQ-9 Upgrade Contract
General Atomics – Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, has been awarded a $53,825,727 cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price, undefinitized contract action for the MQ-9 Hybrid Release 1 integration. Contractor will provide the integration and initial fielding of new capabilities into the MQ-9 Block 5 aircraft. Continue reading