PrecisionHawk, of Raleigh, North Carolina, is testing a water sampling drone with some clients in the oil industry. It takes the form of a seaplane and has a pump mounted on its pontoons that can handle even viscous swampwater thick with bugs, mud, or algae. The water is sucked into a container and then carried to a lab to check for signs of oil leaks or spills. Continue reading
UAS Operator Fined after Posting Videos on YouTube
An Australian man has been fined for breaking aviation regulations whilst flying his drone, after authorities discovered his flight footage posted on YouTube. Continue reading
DARPA Wants Autonomous UAS
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency released a special notice, inviting participation in its Collaborative Operations in Denied Environment programme — offering capabilities, methodologies and approaches that could enable more autonomy and collaborative operations for military drones. Continue reading
Raytheon Acquires Sensintel, Inc.
Raytheon Company has acquired privately-held Sensintel, Inc., a leading provider of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) solutions to the intelligence and special operations markets.
Swiss Federation of Civil Drones Joins UVS International
The Swiss Federation of Civil Drones (SFCD), which has 70 corporate members, has joined UVS International. Continue reading
UK Partnership to Promote Responsible UAS Use
Air traffic services company, NATS has signed a safety partnership agreement with ARPAS UK, a trade association that represents the operators and stakeholders within the community of small Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS). Continue reading
Irish Police Considers UAS
The Garda is considering the use of robotic drones that could be deployed on covert surveillance flights or to overtly aid other police work. The Irish Times understands the purchase of a number of drones is “under consideration” at Garda headquarters. Continue reading
Goblin Shark Micro-UAV Provides 360-Degree Vision
Tuscon, Arizona-based Brock Technologies has been testing a new line of small, tube-launched unmanned air system (UAS) that can provide 360 degree situational awareness with a distributed camera system. Recent tests in January 2015 have demonstrated its ability to be launched from a gas and electric UAS as a marsupial.