The US Air Force in now jumping into the counter-drone game, following other service branches such as the Army as well as civilian agencies that include the Bureau of Prisons, to combat potentially dangerous, expendable aerial bombs deliver by small unmanned aerial systems.
6 Techies Held for flying UAV over Indian Temple
At least six IT professionals and two students who allegedly took aerial visuals of the Tiruvannamalai hill using an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) were arrested by the police on Sunday. The UAV was seized by the Tiruvannamalai Taluk police who released the accused on bail. Continue reading
Elbit Winds Up Brazilian UAS Joint Venture
Elbit Systems of Israel announced on 7 January that it has agreed to dissolve the Brazilian Harpia Sistemas joint venture (JV) that it operates with its subsidiary AEL Sistemas, Embraer Defense and Security, and Avibras. Continue reading
New US Medal for UAS Pilots and Cyber Warriors
The Pentagon has firmly rejected the idea of giving unmanned systems pilots and cyber warriors their own medal, and instead will offer a new “R” device to pin on existing noncombat medals. Continue reading
Human-Carrying Drone Unveiled at CES
Chinese drone maker Ehang Inc. unveiled what it calls the world’s first drone capable of carrying a human passenger. The Guangzhou, China-based company pulled the cloth off the Ehang 184 at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the CES gadget show.
US Navy wants sUAS that Can See in the Dark
The US Navy, which already operates the catapult-launched ScanEagle and Blackjack, is interesting in procuring more tactical small unmanned aerial systems to provide ISR in day and night operations, as well as in adverse environmental conditions.
Flying Camera has $34 million in Pre-Sales
Antoine Balaresque, who co-founded the Lily company in the basement of a University of California, Berkeley robotics lab, set out to make the simplest drone — make that, flying camera, or one that didn’t require any flight skills. Continue reading
Drone Policies at US Ski Areas
Last January, at a seminar on drone use held during the National Ski Areas Association (NSAA) Eastern Winter Conference hosted at Killington Resort, members heard that a policy would be needed at ski areas and that there were many potential uses for drones, from an operations standpoint—lift and trail inspections, searches for lost persons, etc.—to guest use and commercial usages. However, it was noted that FAA regulations were in progress and that privacy and safety concerns made it a complex issue.