CNN will explore the use of drones for reporting, after receiving special permission from the U.S. government. In the first programme of its kind, the FAA will allow CNN to test camera-equipped drones for news gathering and reporting purposes.
Northern Europe’s First UAV Pilot Training Base
The Netherlands and aerospace services company Strat Aero has announced that it has entered into discussions at a senior level of the Netherlands Government with a view to establishing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (“UAV”) Training Centre in the Netherlands (the “Training Facility”), which when operational would be the first in Northern Europe. Continue reading
Single Predator B RPA Amasses 20,000 Flight Hours
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) has announced that a Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper RPA has reached a record 20,000 flight hours on a single aircraft, signifying the highest flight time of any Predator B. The milestone was achieved while performing a 17-hour combat mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan on December 23. Continue reading
BASF Develops Simple 3D Sensor
Chemicals giant BASF SE has developed a single-lens passive optical sensor that can measure distance to an object and thereby 3D position detection and 3D imaging. The company hopes to develop the sensor for a broad range of applications from consumer electronics such as cameras and smartphones to automotive, transportation, medical and machine vision and security and surveillance.
Pilots Report Hundreds of Drone Sightings to FAA
Pilots have reported hundreds of drone sightings in the United States, with some of them right here in Chicago, and they’re saying that it’s not safe. Especially at busy airports like O’Hare International Airport. Continue reading
PrecisionHawk’s Low Altitude Tracking and Avoidance System
PrecisionHawk Inc., Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) manufacturer and Aerial Data Processing and Analysis Company, has announced a solution, known as LATAS (Low Altitude Tracking and Avoidance System,) for the safe integration of drones into the National Airspace.
Heron Crash in India
An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) of the Indian Air Force crashed near Akoda hamlet near Chouhatan town in Barmer district on Friday around 2pm. The UAV reportedly crashed over a makeshift house which belonged to a villager, Gangu Singh. The house was damaged but there were no casualties.
Desert Hawk in Near Miss with RAF Helicopter
The British Army almost brought down a troop-carrying RAF helicopter when one of its own drones flew within 60ft of the giant aircraft, a report found. The £15million Merlin vehicle and metre-long Desert Hawk surveillance drone should have been flying in their own restricted areas. But they came close to crashing during a massive military training exercise, as crews blamed map-reading errors and a dispute over airspace for the near catastrophe. Continue reading