The U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) completed a successful land-based operational assessment (OA) with the unmanned, autonomous helicopter MQ-8C Fire Scout, at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, Nov. 20. The OA demonstrated the endurance and sensor integration capabilities on the new MQ-8C airframe.
Australian Operator Focusses on Inspections
When a tiny hobbyist drone revealed the damage inside Christchurch Cathedral in New Zealand, just after the 2011 earthquake, very few had an inkling of the enormous potential these flying objects had to emerge as a major commercial infrastructure inspection tool. Continue reading
Australian Maritime Safety Authority Selects ViDAR for Search and Rescue
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA) four new Challenger 604 jet search and rescue aircraft which begin to enter service in August 2016 will have an unprecedented ability to visually detect and track objects and people in the water, thanks to prime contractor Cobham Aviation Services’ selection of Sentient Vision’s Kestrel Maritime ViDAR (Visual Detection and Ranging) system as part of the program’s sensor suite. Continue reading
Add-on Scans Disaster Zones to Locate Survivors
A technology firm has developed a small robot module that clips on to any small drone and can be used to search for survivors from the air in a disaster zone. Continue reading
Embry-Riddle Offers Free Online UAS Course
Key concepts related to unmanned aerospace systems (UAS) / recreational drones will be covered during a free online course being offered by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide in January. Continue reading
China to Introduce Drone Regulations in December
China will soon publish regulations for civilian unmanned aircraft that will help put an end to irregular flights, according to an industry insider.
Japanese Security Company Offers Drone Surveillance
Japanese security company Secom, starting in December, will offer a surveillance service using drones designed to detect and track suspicious vehicles and people. The drones can also take pictures of license plates and intruders’ faces as they enter factory grounds or shops at night. Continue reading
Toddler Loses Eye in Drone Accident
A four-year-old child in Roseburg, Oregon at International Drone Day in March 2015.
An 18-month-old boy has lost an eye after being hit by a drone flown by a family friend. Oscar Webb’s eye was sliced in half by a propeller after the operator, Simon Evans, lost control of the drone. Continue reading