DroneDeploy, a Silicon Valley tech company that provides cloud–based aerial mapping software for commercial drone operations, announced that they’ve made their software available for free to anyone in over 120 countries, providing users with the fastest solution available to automate their drones and receive detailed aerial maps and 3D models.
Light Aircraft Collides with Drone in Norway
Norwegian investigators have revealed that a light aircraft collided with an unmanned air vehicle just days before the country’s air navigation service cautioned about their proliferation. Continue reading
Official Opening of German UAS Test Site
Bavaria´s State Secretary for Economy and Technology, Franz Josef Pschierer with EMT LUNA NG tactical UAS
The official opening of the “Deutsches Erprobungsgeländes für Unbemanntes Fliegen (DEU) / German Testsite for Unmanned Flying”, in Mattsies, Bavaria, Germany took place on Friday, September, 11th. The test site, which is the Airfield of Grob Aircraft, is for research & development of civil UAS. The test site can activate restricted airspace for flight operations with UAS. Several UAS companies displayed at this event. Continue reading
Marine Corps Shadow Ditched in the Neuse River
A 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing unmanned aerial vehicle ditched earlier today in the Neuse River at approximately 9:48 a.m., north of MCAS Cherry Point. It was recovered at approximately 4 p.m., with the help and assistance from U.S. Navy and Cherry Point personnel. The search and recovery took about six hours — the aircraft has been returned to the unit.
Construction Starts at Grand Sky Tech Park
America’s first unmanned aerial systems business and aviation park has officially entered the construction phase. About 200 guests including officials from Northrop Grumman, Grand Forks County and Grand Forks Air Force Base gathered for the groundbreaking ceremony of the new Grand Sky UAS tech park after a highly publicized enhanced use lease signing earlier this year. Continue reading
US Navy Wants Cosworth Engine on RQ-21A
Insitu Inc., Bingen, Washington, is being awarded $6,874,313 for cost-fixed-price delivery order 0052 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-12-G-0008) for technical studies, conceptual design modifications and engineering development, including associated preliminary test assets necessary to integrate the Cosworth AG engine onto the RQ-21A unmanned aircraft system. Continue reading
Indian Government Approves $400M Armed Heron TP Contract
The Indian government has quietly approved the purchase of 10 missile-armed UAS from Israel — a crucial acquisition that will enhance India’s cross-border military strike capability. The $400-million proposal for buying armed Heron TP UAS from Israel was cleared last week.
Crashed UN Drone Abandoned in Congo
On a cloudy October morning last year, an unarmed United Nations drone on a surveillance mission over eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo crashed and burned in farmland just north of the city of Goma. Local residents quickly gathered at the crash site, where U.N. officials later retrieved some of the drone’s pieces, including its black box, radar, and camera system. But its engine and tail arm — clearly emblazoned with U.N. insignia — stayed in a resident’s home in the poor territory for months, and other debris remained untouched in a field whose owner could no longer afford to farm.