In a development that takes the life-saving capabilities of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to one of the most remote and unforgiving regions on earth, AeroVironment, Inc. announced it and a team from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have been contracted to provide the U.S. Coast Guard ice breaker Polar Star with a RQ-20A Puma AE unmanned aircraft system and a flight crew for the annual joint “Operation Deep Freeze,” the military component of the larger, civilian-managed U.S. Antarctic Program to re-supply the National Science Foundation’s McMurdo Station.
Dutch Police Test Anti-Drone Birds of Prey
Birds of prey in the Netherlands will be trained to hunt down and take out enemy unmanned flying devices, police announced. The authorities released video of a successful demonstration from Friday, saying a final decision on continuing the program will be made over the next few months. Continue reading
Westar Energy Drones for Emergency Line Inspections
Westar Energy will soon deploy drones in the war on power outages. The state’s dominant electric company last week obtained a rule exemption from the Federal Aviation Administration to begin using two remote-controlled aerial drones.
Bahamas Regulations Now in Force
The Bahamas Ministry of Transport and Aviation has reminded the public that regulations governing the operation of drones took effect from February 1st. Continue reading
AUVSI provides Interactive Map of UAS Legislation
The Association for Unmanned Vehicles Systems International (AUVSI) has been tracking all active legislation pertaining to unmanned systems. This year, to provide the best information to its members, legislators, regulators and the media, AUVSI has organized data on all unmanned systems-related state legislation into a sortable, interactive map with details that include a summary of each bill. Continue reading
Chinese RPAS Association To Exhibit at Europa Drone
EuropaDrone, which is taking place in Lyon, France on 6 & 7 April 2016 will be Europe’s largest RPAS event for international RPAS professionals and will be dedicated to the entire RPAS supply & value chain [manufacturers (systems & sub-systems & critical components), services with RPAS & services for RPAS operators].
Skybender: Google’s Secret 5G Internet Drone Tests
Google is testing solar-powered drones at Spaceport America in New Mexico to explore ways to deliver high-speed internet from the air. In a secretive project codenamed SkyBender, the technology giant built several prototype transceivers at the isolated spaceport last summer, and is testing them with multiple drones, according to documents obtained under public records laws. Continue reading
Near Miss 2,000ft Above UK Houses of Parliament
A drone came within a whisker of crashing into an airliner just 2,000ft above the Houses of Parliament, according to a new report. The unmanned craft was just 20m from the short haul jet, with up to 76 passengers aboard, as it passed down the left hand side.