The Verge has partnered with the Center for the Study of the Drone at Bard College to collect data on every commercial exemption the FAA grants. It’s a fascinating snapshot of a fast-growing industry still in its infancy.
Worldwide UAV Market to Triple in Ten Years
Global spending on unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programs is expected to triple over the next decade in military, commercial, and consumer markets, according to analysts at Teal Group in a new market analysis. They estimate that UAV production will rise from current worldwide UAV production of $4 billion annually to about $14 billion, totaling $93 billion over the next ten years. Military UAV research spending would add another $30 billion over the same decade. Continue reading
Reapers and Predators
MQ-1s and MQ-9s maintenance, taxiing, taking off, and landing. Continue reading
Drone Crashes into US Open Stands During Match
A New York City teacher was arrested early Friday for allegedly crashing a drone into an empty section of seats during a second-round match at the US Open, police said.
Elbit Systems Gets $78 Million Contract in Europe
Elbit Systems Ltd. announced that it was awarded a contract from a European country to supply an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)-based cutting-edge intelligence solution. Valued at approximately $78 million, the contract will be performed over a two-year period by Elbit Systems’ ISTAR Division, established several months ago, as a result of combining Elbit Systems’ Electro-optics – Elop and UAS Divisions.
AEgis Delivers UAS Simulation to Sinclair College
AEgis Technologies has successfully fielded a Vampire Institutional Training System (VITS) for classroom simulation at Sinclair College in Dayton, Ohio. Sinclair has incorporated Vampire as part of a state-of-the-art learning lab included in the National UAS Training and Certification Center. The simulation will support both credit and non-credit courses, as well as training and research leveraging live, virtual and constructive technologies and partnerships. Continue reading
Drone Surveillance Radar at UAS Test Range in Spain
DeTect, INC. announced that its HARRIER S200d Air Surveillance Radar (ASR) has been installed at the Air Traffic Laboratory for Advanced Systems (ATLAS) in Villacarillo, Spain, to provide detection and tracking of aircraft, drones and Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). ATLAS is Europe’s first purpose-built drone and UAS test flight and development range. Continue reading
Analysis of FAA Section 333 Exemptions
At the end of July, the FAA granted its 1,000th exemption. An analysis of the exemptions, as reflected in the chart below, shows that nearly half are for applications involving photography, including videography and film production. The next most frequent industries cited in approved exemption petitions are real estate and utilities/energy/infrastructure, which made up roughly one-third and one-quarter, respectively, of granted exemptions. Rounding out the top five are agriculture and construction, both appearing in around one-fifth of approved exemption petitions. Continue reading