Air
Air
North Carolina's Spring Lake Fire Department uses UAS to rescue stranded kayakers
The Spring Lake Fire Department in Spring Lake, North Carolina recently used its UAS to rescue stranded kayakers from the Little River.
Over multiple days, the department rescued seven people in two separate incidents. One rescue utilized a boat and took the department all morning to pull a family of five from the river. The other water rescue, though, utilized the department’s new UAS, and took just minutes.
“These drones can fly a lot faster than walking though woods and going down to the river in a boat so just making eye contact and putting a visual image on somebody is key to this,” says Drone Pilot Brandon Fitzhugh, via ABC 11.
Alta Devices announces new solar product for HALE market
Alta Devices has unveiled a new solar product that is designed to meet the specific needs of UAS that can serve as platforms for cellular and IoT connectivity.
According to Alta, the product, known as AnyLight Solar, combines “breakthrough” solar cell technology with several new inventions to provide features to maximize power, minimize weight, and provide sufficient protection from the harsh environment commonly found in the Earth’s stratosphere.
“Alta Devices recognizes that our aerospace customers need to innovate every aspect of these new and complex aircraft systems,” says Alta Devices CEO, Jian Ding.
FLIR Thermal Studio streamlines workflow and increases productivity for UAS users
FLIR Systems has introduced its new thermal image analysis and reporting software called FLIR Thermal Studio, which is designed to manage large sets of thermal images and videos.
According to FLIR, the software is engineered for thermographers who use FLIR thermal handheld cameras, optical gas imaging (OGI) cameras, and UAS with thermal cameras.
FLIR Thermal Studio is equipped with advanced processing capabilities and automation, which are designed to streamline and increase productivity.
SkyX Systems' drones selected for long-range search missions in Canada
Canada’s Advanced Tactical Training Search & Rescue Division (ATTSAR) is using drones from SkyX Systems for long-range search missions.
UAS have proven to be extremely beneficial for search and rescue missions, as a recent announcement cited by ATTSAR and SkyX Systems says that UAS-operated missions have led to 133 people being rescued across the world from 2017 through the first half of 2018.
Quadcopter UAS are typically used for these missions, but according to ATTSAR and SkyX Systems, these UAS have limitations such as endurance, the range that they can operate without a controller, and the weather conditions that they can operate in.
AATI acquires unmanned technology service-provider Sky Scape Industries
American Aerospace Technologies Inc. (AATI), a provider of real-time remote sensing and airborne intelligence services for enterprise, has acquired Sky Scape Industries LLC (SSI), a provider of unmanned technology services.
According to SSI, its services are widely used by critical infrastructure operators in the electric, water, and oil & gas industries. The company says that it will continue to provide integration services, professional UAS advisory services, and inspection services across the U.S.
DJI partners with Los Angeles Fire Department to advance UAS tech for public safety purposes
In an effort to create, test and deploy its UAS technology as an emergency response and preparedness tool, DJI has announced a Solution Development Partnership with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD).
Through the partnership, DJI will provide the LAFD with access to new technologies, training and support, so that the agency can utilize UAS technology as part of its operations.
Miami University using UAS to conduct building inspections on campus
The physical facilities department at Miami University in Ohio is using UAS to inspect the roofs and gutters of some buildings on campus.
The technology is being used thanks to a Lean Project, which examined how UAS could be used on campus to increase efficiency.
One idea was to use the technology for visual inspections of roofs, gutters, chimneys and cupolas. Usually, a lift would be used to allow employees and contractors to conduct inspections and repairs.
To conduct these UAS operations, Miami chose a Boise, Idaho drone company called Rapid Aerial as its time and materials contractor for drone services. The company inspected four academic buildings that are difficult to access due to their height and location.
