UAV News Talk – Drone News, eVTOLs, UAS Policy & Air Mobility

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UAV 324 Drones and the Pandemic Apr 03, 2020

Show notes

Drones fight the pandemic through cloud-based drone technology, spraying disinfectant, and medical deliveries. Also, a first responder drone endurance challenge, NOAA’s new unmanned systems program, and some free drone training.

UAV News

New NOAA program to support and expand agency’s use of unmanned systems

NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, continues to expand their use of UAS to collect high-quality environmental data. To support this, NOAA is establishing a new Unmanned Systems Operations Program. The deputy NOAA administrator said, “Unmanned airborne and maritime systems are transforming how we conduct earth science at NOAA. Our new Unmanned Systems Operations Program will help us dramatically increase the application and use of these technologies in every NOAA mission area.”

The new program will be housed at two locations:

The NOAA Aircraft Operations Center in Lakeland, Florida, will continue to support the agency’s unmanned aircraft activities.
A new facility being built by the Mississippi State Port Authority in partnership with the University of Southern Mississippi in Gulfport, Mississippi, will support unmanned maritime systems.

The new Unmanned Systems Operations Program was a key goal of NOAA’s recently released Unmanned Systems Strategy.

Emergency responders seek the last drone standing

The Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Safety Public Safety Communications Research has launched the First Responder UAS Endurance Challenge with cash prizes totaling $552,000. The challenge is designed to keep a UAS and its payload airborne for the longest time possible supporting first responders on the ground. Concept papers are due April 30, 2020.

First Responder UAS Endurance Challenge YouTube Channel

Drones Provide Planetary Protection During Pandemics and CT Company is Prepping to Power Them!

Aquiline Drones uses cloud-based technology to build drone-based solutions, The AD Cloud programs UAVs and unmanned ground-based vehicles (UGVs) with cloud-based command and control to conduct tasks such as:

Delivery of medical supplies to front-line healthcare workers
Transport of test results to labs
Delivery of medicine and urgent supplies to individuals quarantined at home
Disinfectant spraying into public pandemic areas
Serving as mobile public speakers to inform people of safety measures and tips
Patrolling high-risk areas with photoelectric sensors to enforce curfews
Monitoring health of employees with heat signature, infrared cameras
24-hour surveillance of critical infrastructure

Kuala Lumpur is testing drones to sanitize high-rise buildings

Using manned crews to spray disinfectants is expensive and poses a safety risk. Test flights of spray drones are underway in Kuala Lumpur.

Coronavirus: Should the UK use drones to disinfect public spaces?

Some UK drone experts want prohibitions against spraying relaxed. They’d like to see drones spray disinfectant in public areas. Authorities aren’t convinced it’s effective.

Zipline will bring its medical delivery drones to the U.S. to help fight the coronavirus

Zipline has used drones effectively in Africa and they had intended to come to the U.S. later in 2020. But now Zipline wants to move that up. They envision:

Home equipment deliveries enabling telemedicine
Delivery of specialty medicines that aren’t available at local drugstores.
Delivery of masks and other PPE.
Vaccine delivery, when it becomes available

In a 2019 exercise with the Department of Defense, Zipline only took a couple of weeks to set up a new system.

What to do at home…

Using LAANC to Fly Drones in Controlled Airspace

This free course shows you the information you need to fly your drone in controlled airspace. Other King Schools drone test prep courses include:

The Drone Pilot License Test Prep prepares you for your FAA Part 107 Remote Pilot Certificate exam.
If you have had your Drone Pilot certificate for almost two years, it is time to renew your certificate. The King Schools Drone Pilot License Recurrent Test Prep Course helps you prepare for this exam.

323 Drones and Low Altitude Operators Mar 27, 2020

Show notes

An FAA Request For Information from low altitude operators, drones with super-fast reaction times, the Northern Plains UAS Test site wants to deliver packages, drone deliveries are underway in a small Virginia town, a European program to integrate drones into the airspace, UPS and Wingcopter plan for drone deliveries, using quadcopters to map inaccessible historic ruins, and Reaper replacements.

UAV News

FAA Seeks Information on Low Altitude Operators for UAS Rulemaking

The FAA wants to hear from operators who fly at low altitudes, such as pilots who fly aerial firefighting, agriculture, survey, pipeline and infrastructure patrols. The FAA Request for Information is titled: FAA Low Altitude Manned Aviator Participation In UAS Remote Identification Request for Information. “This RFI seeks input from the manned aviation community regarding whether and/or how they can potentially receive and use UAS remote ID information to further enhance safety, by reducing collision risks at lower altitudes.” Responses will be accepted until April 16, 2020.

Researchers from the University of Zurich have demonstrated a drone that can detect and avoid fast-moving objects

Researchers have fitted a quadcopter with what they call “Event Cameras” and used algorithms that allow a reaction time of a few milliseconds. The results are published in the journal Science Robotics. The PhD student that authored the paper says, “Our ultimate goal is to make one-day autonomous drones navigate as good as human drone pilots. Currently, in all search and rescue applications where drones are involved, the human is actually in control. If we could have autonomous drones navigate as reliable as human pilots we would then be able to use them for missions that fall beyond line of sight or beyond the reach of the remote control.”

ND Sen, UAS test team working with FAA on drone delivery waiver

The Northern Plains UAS Test site had asked the FAA to consider allowing drone delivery operations. Now Senator John Hoeven, has asked the FAA’s Administer, Stephen Dickson, to allow the use of drones to deliver supplies to areas in urgent need: “Small UAS can accelerate the delivery of critically-needed supplies across the country, such as food and medicine, saving time and money, while also reducing the risks of transmitting COVID-19. We’re working with the FAA to get the right waivers in place so these kinds of low-risk, high-reward operations can move forward.”

Virginia Town Where Drone Deliveries are Daily

Christiansburg, Virginia is a small town of about 22,000 people south of Roanoke, right on I-81. In October 2019, the Wing subsidiary of Alphabet started deliveries by drone and Christiansburg became the first town in the U.S. to see drone delivery to a customer’s doorstep.

SUGUS kicks off, a European project for integrating drones into airspace

SUGUS is an 18-month, 485,000-euro, European Union R&D project – the “Solution for E-GNSS U‑Space Service.” It’s designed to speed up the takeup of GNSS and Galileo in the UAV segment. GMV has been awarded the project to lead the consortium. A series of trials will be held to show the benefits of E-GNSS for drone operators as well as its approval by aviation authorities.

Wingcopter flies into delivery partnership with UPS

UPS Flight Forward (UPSFF) and German UAV startup Wingcopter are collaborating to develop a next-generation delivery drone solution for packages. UPS Flight Forward says they are “building a network of technology partners to broaden our unique capability to serve customers and extend our leadership in drone delivery.” Wingcopter VTOL drones have four rotors that swivel 90 degrees, a range of 75 miles, autonomous flight capabilities, and the ability to fly in extreme weather.

Exploring Shetland’s uninhabited Kame of Isbister with GNSS and UAV

The Kame of Isbister is an uninhabited rocky promontory in Shetland. There are old structures there that are not visible from the sea or the nearby land. This inaccessible location is being studied using drones to create a 3D model as well as an orthomosaic and digital terrain model. The team consists of Shetland Flyer Aerial Media, Shetland College UHI, and the Institute for Northern Studies.

Could a commercial drone replace the MQ-9 Reaper? The Air Force is considering it.

The Air Force assistant secretary for acquisition, technology and logistics, said the service is working on a study for the fiscal 2022 budget that will describe how the General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper can be replaced, possibly by several different unmanned aircraft.

322 Drones and Coronavirus Mar 20, 2020

Show notes

Unmanned aircraft and the Coronavirus (COVID-19), a new Drone Racing League Academy to teach STEM, EHang looks to Europe with their autonomous aerial vehicle, a radar cross-section database for malicious drone identification, and a flying car that looks like a car.

UAV News

Spanish police are using drones to scold citizens who go outside

Many countries are combating the coronavirus by asking (or telling) people to self-quarantine and practice social distancing. But not everyone is doing that. Police in Spain are responding using drones fitted with speakers to admonish people who aren’t doing their part.

Disinfecting Drones to Fight COVID-19? No Thanks, Says Defense Department

China has been using quadcopters to spray disinfectant and some companies in the U.S. have proposed the same. However, the U.S. Defense Department says they have no plans to do this. Same for the National Guard, the U.S. Special Operations Command, and DARPA (the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency). But Droneresponders is exploring “all use case options in response to COVID19.”

Drone Racing League launches DRL Academy

The Drone Racing League launched the DRL Academy, a STEM program for school kids with the main focus on drones. DRL partnered with the National Geospatial Technology Center of Excellence, West Valley College, Eduscape, and New Jersey City University. If you are interested in the DRL Academy, you can email them at STEM@DRL.io.

EHang Gets Operational Flight Permit from CAA Norway

The EHang 216 two-seat autonomous aerial vehicle has received an operational flight permit from the Civil Aviation Authority of Norway (CAA). Flights for testing and certification are planned with a local customer.

EHang, city government of Seville partner to launch first UAM pilot program in Spain

EHang has an agreement with the city of Seville, Spain to develop passenger transportation, air logistics, and command and control platforms in the city. Seville is a member of the UAM Initiative Cities Community which was launched by the EU’s European Innovation Partnership on Smart Cities and Communities project.

Team scans drones of different shapes and sizes to counter terrorist attack risk

Researchers are building a database of drone radar cross-sections (RCS) that could help identify malicious UAVs. Commercial and custom-built drones are being measured. The research was published in IEEE Access. The measurement data is available to the public.

Ascent Makes UAM Plans With eVTOL Group Urban Aeronautics

The Metro Skyways subsidiary of Urban Aeronautics is developing a six-seat hydrogen-powered eVTOL called CityHawk. Their Singapore partner is Ascent and they are seeking to develop urban air mobility services in Asia.

321 DJI on Remote ID Mar 13, 2020

Show notes

DJI brings out the guns in its criticism of the Remote ID proposal, the Air Force has new medical standards for RPA pilots, a better communications antenna for UAVs, a draft executive order that would ban Chinese drones from the federal government, and using drones to speed 5G deployment.

UAV News

DJI urges FAA to reconsider Remote ID NPRM

The comment period for the FAA Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) for the Remote Identification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems is closed, but not before DJI submitted an 89-page formal comment. The FAA estimated its proposed Remote ID rules would cost about $582 million over the next 10 years. In the report prepared by NERA Economic Consulting, the cost was calculated at $5.6 billion over that period. DJI has demonstrated a direct “drone-to-phone” wi-fi based solution.

Medical standards changing for RPA pilots

Effective February 28, 2020, the Air Force changed the medical standards for remotely piloted aircraft pilots. Previously, graduating RPA students had to meet the medical standards designed for aircrew operating at altitude. Now, these Airmen will only need to meet the Ground-Based Operator medical standards.

New Antenna Will Boost UAV Communication with Satellites

Chinese researchers have developed a compact saber-shaped antenna for UAVs that can switch between two radiation patterns for better communication coverage. The new antenna incorporates a monopole perpendicular to the ground with an omnidirectional pattern and a dipole parallel to the ground with a broadside pattern. Published in a study in IEEE Transactions on Antennas and Propagation.

US is preparing to ban foreign-made drones from government use

TechCrunch says the Trump administration is preparing to ban federal departments and agencies from buying or using foreign-made drones. This would be accomplished through an executive order that would effectively ban foreign-made drones or drones made with foreign components.

Afraid of heights? Drones, AI and digitalization to the rescue!

Deployment of 5G communications has some serious obstacles, including the need for many more antennas. Ericsson is using drones to speed the site survey process and build 3D site models that can be used for engineering decisions.

Announcement

The 14th annual UAS Summit & Expo is scheduled for September 1-2, 2020 at the Alerus Center in Grand Forks North Dakota. The event is produced and organized by UAS Magazine and BBI International.

320 Holographic Radar for C-UAS Mar 06, 2020

Show notes

Holographic radar for drone detection, inspecting the Tokyo underground, good uses for drones at airports, delivery drones in China, Elon Musk has another prediction, a drone delivery proposal for Long Island Sound, an eVTOL prototype goes up in flames, and NASA’s Autonomous Navigation Demonstration Challenge.

UAV News

Aveillant’s Holographic Radar and Fortem Technologies’ Complete End-to-End Counter UAV Solution

The UK National Beyond Visual Line of Sight Experimentation Corridor (NBEC) was created to test new technologies that integrate unmanned aircraft into the airspace. A counter-UAS holographic radar from Aveillant was used to detect and track several different drones. Counter drone systems developer Operational Solutions signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Airways New Zealand for a drone detection system based on Aveillant’s radar technology. This is being trialed at Auckland Airport. Fortem Technologies has also developed an autonomous Counter UAV solution using TrueView R30, a holographic radar similar to Aveillant’s Gamekeeper.

Drones used to inspect Tokyo’s subway tunnels

Tokyo Metro is using drones to inspect almost 200 km of tunnels. The drones reduce the need for scaffolding and heavy equipment. The drone has a 22 cm diameter, weighs 1.15 kg, and can fly for up to five minutes. It’s surrounded by a spherical cage with LED lights and sends video to a monitor where workers look for any defects in the tunnel. The drone also takes photos for later inspection.

Good drones: the UAVs changing airport operations for the better

Three ways drones can work positively with airport operations: maintenance and inspection activities at airports, drone delivery systems based at the airport, and bird control. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) lists six major technology trends that will impact how future air cargo facilities evolve: augmented reality and wearables, robotics and automated systems, IoT and connected cargo, big data and AI, green buildings, and drones and autonomous vehicles.

Drones & Robots: Deploying New Technology to Handle Crisis

China’s eCommerce powerhouse JD.com has been using drone technology for deliveries since at least 2016. Under the JD Drone program, items are carried from regional delivery stations to village entrances, then local partners deliver orders to the customers. The JD drones are also being used for disaster relief and disinfectant spraying for Coronavirus.

Elon Musk says military drones will outlive fighter jets

Elon Musk had a fireside chat with Gen. Jay Raymond, chief of space operations for the Space Force, about the future of air defense. Musk expects unmanned drones will outlive fighter jets in the U.S. Air Force. “It’s not [that] I want the future to be this. The fighter jet era has passed.”

Wave Aerospace proposes commercial drone delivery between Stamford and Long Island

Wave Aerospace wants to establish a corridor across the Long Island Sound for commercial drone delivery from Stamford, Connecticut to Huntington, Long Island – about 10 miles. The corridor would be 1,000 feet wide, outside New York’s Class B Controlled Airspace.

First electric VTOL Lilium Jet prototype goes up in flames

Lilium had two prototype jet eVTOL prototypes in their flight-test program. Now they have one. The first prototype was destroyed in a fire on February 27, 2020, while in maintenance in Germany. The investigation to determine the cause is underway.

Video: The Lilium Jet in flight

NASA Langley Opens Applications for $20,000 UAV Competition

Applications for NASA Langley’s Safeguard with Autonomous Navigation Demonstration (SAND) Challenge are now being accepted. Small businesses will compete in an autonomous UAV for a grand prize of $20,000 under the America Competes Act. They will complete a set of complex mission profiles using NASA’s “Safeguard” technology. The SAND Challenge will be held in August of 2020 in Hampton, Virginia. To apply for the SAND challenge and to view more information including drone eligibility, participant eligibility, operational requirements and more visit: sand2020.nianet.org.

Max’s Zip News One-Liners

Quaternium drone HYBRiX sets a new World Record of Endurance with a flight of 8 hours and 10 minutes

Quaternium accomplished the feat with its HYBRiX hybrid fuel-electric drone.

Protesters tell FAA “If we build it, let it fly”

A protest was held in front of FAA headquarters by modelers who don’t like the proposed remote ID rules. The Help Save Our Hobby webpage was created for the event.

New Tech Could Finally Change Drone Regulations for the Better

Detect-and-avoid technology is being tested at Virginia Tech’s Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP) where drones are being flown head-on.

With a speaker and four microphones, drones can echolocate like bats

The headline says it all. From Purdue University.

UAV Video of the Week

These insanely fast racing drones capture golf shots as you’ve never seen them

Seattle drone pilot Ross Beck released a video of golf shots captured from tee to green via a drone that can fly 85 mph.

Mentioned

Drones deployed in bid to tackle Queensland’s rogue crocodiles

319 Canadian Drone Management System Feb 28, 2020

Show notes

Canada selects a national drone management system, BlueBird Aero Systems wins a large UAS order, North Texas aims to educate new drone flyers, Freedom of Information Act produces mystery drone emails, flying over (and into) the Golden Gate Bridge, and drones that monitor environmental changes.

UAV News

NAV Canada signs strategic deal to help manage drones

NAV Canada has selected Unifly to provide a national system with digital services for safely operating and managing drones in Canadian airspace. The system has an intuitive user interface and Canadian drone pilots can use the web and mobile apps to identify safe and legal airspace. Requests for authorization to fly in controlled airspace can be made and drone flights planned. See also the Unifly YouTube channel.

BlueBird Aero Systems Secures an Order for Over 150 Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) UAS

BlueBird Aero Systems received an order for more than 150 vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAS of various categories. A European military customer has ordered the WanderB-VTOL Mini UAV and ThunderB-VTOL Tactical UAV. These will be operated by infantry soldiers, armored units, artillery corps, and special forces. The order is worth “tens of millions of euros.”

“Know Before You Fly”: North Texas Community Steps Up to Provide Drone Flyers with Resources

The North Texas UAS Safety and Integration Task Force is working to provide new drone flyers with a free “Know Before You Fly” training workshop. They are working with sponsors including Women and Drones, AUVSI Lonestar, and drone industry solution providers. The Task Force, under the North Central Texas Council of Governments, wants to help mitigate reckless UAS operations and promote the safe integration of UAS technology into the DFW regional airspace.

Internal Air Force Emails Show Confusion And Concern Over Colorado’s Mystery Drones

There has been no serious explanation of the mystery drones that were spotted in several states. However, a volunteer researcher operating in affiliation with the Scientific Coalition for UAP Studies recently obtained emails through the Freedom of Information Act that include internal communications of the public affairs office at F.E. Warren Air Force Base and the 90th Security Forces Group. The heavily redacted emails indicate that the military took the sightings seriously.

Drones fly illegally and crash at the Golden Gate Bridge in hunt for photos

People are violating the prohibition of flying drones in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, which surrounds the Golden Gate Bridge. Five drones have crashed onto the roadway, and an additional drone crashed into one of the towers. Park rangers handle drone enforcement in the National Recreation Area, have issued citations, and have seized drones.

Monitoring climate change from the sky: DRONES could play a ‘critical role’ in tracking the effects of global warming but only if their battery life improves, expert claims

Drones can be used to monitor climate change over large areas. But they need to stay aloft a long time to collect data, and drones with long flight times are expensive. Researchers at the University of Southampton are working with Dr. Ewan Kirk to develop new drones and batteries that are less expensive and fly longer. Three teams of fourth-year students will work to create better drones, then test them by monitoring a live volcano in Guatemala.

318 Police Micro-Drones Feb 15, 2020

Show notes

Micro-drones for law enforcement, a laser C-UAS system, DJI and the Coronavirus, drone remote ID interaction with manned aircraft, airplane modelers and remote ID, and a new reality show featuring drones.

UAV News

Calif. PD deploys new indoor micro-drones

The Sacramento Police Department is testing micro-drones indoors during conflicts. Drones with video cameras can give officers a real-time view and they can also avoid direct physical confrontations with suspects. The Sacramento police have a fleet of 12 small FPV drones that cost only about $90.

This Is How a Laser Weapon Torches Drones Out of the Sky

In a just-released video, you can watch a C-UAS system from Rafael Advanced Defense Systems take down drones with a laser. The system is truck-mounted on a Land Rover Defender and a DJI Phantom plays the role of a hostile drone. The system detects the Phantom, tracks it, and fires a high-powered laser. The laser continues to melt the drone even as it tries to maneuver.

Video: RAFAEL's DRONE DOME with LASER Intercepts Multiple Targets

DJI drones join worldwide fight against Coronavirus

DJI explained how its drones have been helping fight the Coronavirus. The company has pledged almost $1.5 million in aid and developed best practices for spraying a chlorine or ethyl alcohol-based disinfectant from the air. DJI adapted its Agras series of agricultural spraying drones to spray disinfectant in potentially affected areas.

FAA Exploring How Manned Aviation Can Benefit from Drone Remote ID

The FAA’s roadmap for integrating unmanned aircraft into the NAS relies on remote ID, but how will the remote ID signals from drones interact with manned aviation? The FAA plans to ask industry that question and is Internally discussing a request for information on how manned aviation could take advantage of remote identification signals.

Oklahoma model aircraft hobbyists fight back against drone proposal

The Academy of Model Aeronautics and Oklahoma model aircraft fliers have some problems with the FAA’s proposal for remote ID. The 400-foot requirement is not far enough for an RC glider. The FAA needs to have a compliance path for competitions outside the fixed sites. Adding a transmitter to a low-risk aircraft is too expensive and Remote ID requires access to the Internet. Also, the AMA doesn’t want owners to have to individually register every aircraft. NPRM comments are being accepted until March 2, 2020.

Reality show to highlight role of drones in difficult survey ops

A new reality series called “Down to Earth” shows real surveyors working with drones under challenging conditions. The surveyors use aerial drone imagery and analysis and the series is sponsored by MicroDrones. Viewers can register to watch a one-hour webinar at either 9 am ET or 6 pm ET February 19, 2020, covering episodes 1-3 of Down to Earth, project overview and objectives, workflow analysis, and a review of final surface model and deliverables.

Video: Down to Earth 15

317 Proposal to Type Certify UAS Feb 07, 2020

Show notes

The FAA proposal to type-certify UAS, autonomous EA-18G Growlers, surveillance with drones in China, no Remote ID NPRM extension, DoD counter-UAS contract, an unmanned kit for the K-Max, delivering ice cream, and an arrest for busting the Super Bowl TFR.

UAV News

How Does the FAA Aircraft Certification Process Affect UAVs?

The FAA proposes to type certify unmanned aircraft the same way they certify manned aircraft. Criticism has arisen because of the long, complicated, and expensive process can only be met by large companies. Type Certification of Unmanned Aircraft Systems is the rule proposed by the FAA to type certify certain UAS as a special class of aircraft under current regulations. (Docket No. FAA-2019-1038.) Comments must be received on or before March 4, 2020.

EA-18 Growlers Can Be Controlled Autonomously

Boeing has announced they and the U.S. Navy have successfully flown two unmanned and autonomously controlled EA-18G Growlers. A third Growler acted as the mission controller for the other two. This showed that F/A-18 Super Hornets and EA-18G Growlers can perform combat missions with unmanned systems.

All the Invasive Ways China Is Using Drones to Address the Coronavirus

Drones with loudspeakers are calling out pedestrians in China who are not wearing a mask. They are also being used to monitor traffic infractions, students taking exams, illegal border crossings, and hospital disposal of waste.

FAA denies requests to extend drone remote ID comment period

A number of organizations requested that the comment period for the Remote ID NPRM be extended due to the complication of the rule and the number of people impacted. The FAA denied the request. Comments will be accepted until March 2, 2020, at Regulations.gov.

The Pentagon is spending millions to scoop drones out of the sky with nets,

Fortem Technologies Wins Contract From Department of Defense for Advanced Airspace Security and Defense System

Fortem Technologies announced it was awarded a contract with the Department of Defense (DoD) through the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). DoD purchased various solutions from Fortem including its SkyDome®, DroneHunter®, DroneHangar, and TrueView radar for a layered C-UAS solution.

Kaman K-Max advances civil and military autonomous flight programs

The Kaman Air Vehicles division of Kaman Corporation is developing the K-Max UAS kit that will convert the helicopter for unmanned operation. First flight scheduled in Q3 2020. Launch customers are Helicopter Express Inc. of Chamblee, Georgia, and Swanson Group Aviation of Glendale, Oregon.

Terra Drone Europe and British-Dutch transnational consumer goods giant Unilever collaborate to deliver ice cream in New York

Delivery of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in New York is being explored by Terra Drone and Unilever. A demonstration flight was conducted at a recent Unilever annual investor event where a multi-copter drone was fitted with a delivery box designed to carry three Ben & Jerry’s mini cups.

Pilot faces a year in federal prison for flying a drone during Super Bowl week

The FBI announced that a 46-year-old man was arrested for flying a drone through the TFR during Super Bowl week in Miami. Authorities say he faces up to one year in federal prison if he is convicted. The man told the FBI that he just wanted to capture images of the Super Bowl-related festivities in South Beach.

Mentioned

Omniscient season 1 is on Netflix. The series is about a city that has chosen to ensure safety by assigning drones to watch each individual and report any crimes.

Video of the Week

An even brighter future is on the horizon. This television commercial from Florida Power and Light includes the NASC Teros Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAS.

316 DJI Responds to US Government Restrictions Jan 31, 2020

Show notes

DJI takes off the gloves and issues a statement of displeasure, Japan Airlines looks at the drone delivery business, why we need standards, drones shut down the airspace over a fatal crash, the Army launches a new counter-drone office, stalking with a drone, and were mystery drones really mass hysteria?

UAV News

DJI Statement On U.S. Department Of Interior Drone Order

DJI says they are “extremely disappointed by the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) order… which inappropriately treats a technology’s country of origin as a litmus test for its performance, security and reliability.” Further, “This decision makes clear that the U.S. government’s concerns about DJI drones, which make up a small portion of the DOI fleet, have little to do with security and are instead part of a politically-motivated agenda to reduce market competition and support domestically produced drone technology, regardless of its merits.”

Japan Airlines and Yabu City in Japan to trial UAV delivery trials

Japan Airlines wants to offer a medical supply delivery service to remote areas using UAVs. Meanwhile, Yabu City has been using drones for agriculture applications and they want to expand into other fields, like disaster, logistics, and medical care assistance. Starting in the Spring of 2020, Japan Airlines and Yabu City will collaborate on UAV trials using Terra Drone Corporation UAV technology.

Developing Drone Standards Is Key to Successful Growth in the UAV Industry

The potential UAV market is recognized as huge, but growth depends on having public standards, frameworks, and certifications. Last April, the Drone Advisory Council of CompTIA released Drone Standards and Best Practices which is targeted to companies who want to implement UAS operations internally or through outsourcing. There is still much to be done and CompTIA’s chief technology evangelist will represent CompTIA’s members and work with the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA). The AIA wants to have a completed standards protocol by Q2 or Q3 2020.

So many drones and aircraft swarmed the site of Kobe Bryant’s helicopter crash that the FAA was forced to close the airspace

A recent crash of a Sikorsky S-76 helicopter in California killed 9 people, including Kobe Bryant. So many drones showed up that the FAA had to issue a temporary airspace restriction for 5 nautical miles from the crash site, up to 5,000 feet.

Defense Department to Stand Up New Counter-Drone Office

The military is concerned about small weaponized drones. The Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Ellen Lord said, “We see that small UAS are becoming a more popular weapon of choice … [and] we need to be agile and pivot to that challenge.” A new counter-unmanned aerial system office will be created under the Army.

Untangling Maine’s Drone Stalking Mystery

A woman in Gorham, Maine says a drone has been following her over the course of several days. When responding to her call, law enforcement also observed the drone.

What happened to the mysterious Colorado drones?

NBC affiliate KUSA in Denver says those mysterious drone sightings have significantly dropped off. Are the drone gone? Were there ever any drones? The Colorado Department of Public Safety issued a news release that calls into question the credibility of the sightings. See also, The Colorado Mystery Drones Weren’t Real.

315 PrecisionHawk Leadership Change Jan 24, 2020

Show notes

PrecisionHawk appoints a new CEO, a plan to deliver cannabis in Seattle with drones, flying medical specimens to the lab with UAS, a Chinese 3-engine MALE drone, taking down small drones with an F-16, a Gremlins maiden flight, and a drone solution to parasitic disease in humans.

UAV News

We’re Welcoming James Norrod as CEO of PrecisionHawk

James Norrod has been named the new Chief Executive Officer of PrecisionHawk. Norrod has 25 years of experience leading companies and “specializes in forming strategic partnerships, optimizing domestic and international operations, establishing new sales distribution channels, and developing management teams.” Previous CEO Michael Chasen will lead PrecisionHawk’s advisory board and continue to act as chair of the FAA’s Drone Advisory Committee.

Deloitte, Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine Announce Project to Accelerate Medical Sample Delivery Via Unmanned Aircraft Systems

Genomic test results for acutely ill babies and children would get back to the medical team more quickly if the specimens were flown to the lab in a UAS, instead of using slower ground transportation. Deloitte Consulting principal Josh Nelson says, “This UAS project is an innovation to speed transport and delivery of samples to their lab. Together with [the Children’s Institute], we plan to go from strategy to testing to operational and develop a blueprint for other health care organizations to use.”

Three-engined variant of China’s Tengden TB001 UAV makes maiden flight

China showed images said to be of the first flight of the Sichuan Tengden Technology Company TW328/TB001 UAV. The strike-capable, reconnaissance MALE UAV is a new three-engined variant with an overall wingspan of 20 m and an 11 m length. The maximum take-off weight is 3.2 tons with an endurance of 35 hours.

Air Weapons: The Little Little UAV Killer

The U.S. Air Force tested a system where an F-16 fighter shoots down a small UAV with a laser-guided missile. The APKWS II (Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System) uses a targeting pod that spots and identifies small flying objects. It enables the pilot to launch an AGR-20A missile that can hit slow-moving targets, UAV of all sizes, and cruise missiles.

Dynetics’ X-61A Gremlins air vehicle performs its maiden flight

The Dynetics X-61A Gremlins Air Vehicle has flown for the first time. This is part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Gremlins program. The flight was carried out in November 2019 at Dugway Proving Ground near Salt Lake City, Utah. One captive-carry X-61A flew a TBM, Inc. C-130A which was then air-launched and flew for one hour and 41 minutes.

Flight test video: Gremlins X-61A Maiden Test Flight

Identifying aquatic plants with drones could be the key to reducing a parasitic infection in people

Schistosomiasis is a parasitic disease caused by worms in the human circulatory system. The parasitic worms incubate in snails and people become infected through contact with contaminated water. More than 200 million people are affected, worldwide. There is no vaccine. Now a University of Washington lab found that snail clusters favor certain types of aquatic vegetation, which can be identified through drone images. The snails can then be targeted.

Cannabis delivery drones are likely to fly above Seattle this year

GRN Holding Corporation announced in December that it was signing a non-binding letter of intent to purchase Squad Drone. The drones would be used for a business-to-business marijuana delivery service. Squad Drone will license its drones and technology to state-registered hemp and cannabis companies. Press release: Cannabis Delivery Drones Could be in Seattle Skies by March.

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