Companies in Illinois, home to the upcoming AUVSI Xponential conference and exhibition, have for years been researching, testing and ultimately benefiting from unmanned systems technologies throughout the state.
In 2015, the largest electric utility in Illinois, Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), became the first electric utility company to be granted permission by the Federal Aviation Administration to operationally use UAS.
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Daytona Beach Police Department uses UAS to help apprehend murder suspect
The Daytona Beach Police Department (DBPD) recently used a UAS to help apprehend a murder suspect.
According to DBPD Officer and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Professor Anthony Galante, the UAS served as a “force multiplier,” providing a lookout for the six-person team trained to apprehend the suspect.
In-Flight Data awarded three Guinness World Records for recent BVLOS UAS flights
In-Flight Data has been awarded three Guinness World Records for UAS flights it recently conducted as part of a beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) project in collaboration with senseFly.
Through the project, In-Flight Data conducted the longest cumulative BVLOS battery-powered UAS flight, covering 2,723.04 kilometers; the longest cumulative urban flight for a BVLOS civilian UAS (small class – up to 25 kilograms), covering 414 kilometers; and the longest single urban flight for a BVLOS civilian UAS (small class – up to 25 kilograms), covering 40 kilometers.
Persistent Systems and Hoverfly announce partnership; Hoverfly joins Wave Relay Ecosystem
Persistent Systems and tethered-UAS manufacturer Hoverfly Technologies Inc. have entered into a five-year agreement.
Hoverfly will join the recently launched Wave Relay Ecosystem, which is an alliance of unmanned systems and sensor companies working together to deliver a “true networked battlefield to warfighters.”
Hoverfly’s tether-powered small UAS, the LiveSky and the BigSky, will both be part of the Ecosystem, and the Wave Relay MANET will be offered as the standard communication link.
Massachusetts' Salisbury Police Department expresses interest in UAS technology
According to the Salem News, a specially equipped UAS is expected to fly over the Salisbury Police Department’s station in Salisbury, Massachusetts next week as part of a demonstration of the technology.
According to Police Chief Thomas Fowler, a Rhode Island-based company is scheduled to visit the station to show what a police UAS could mean for a variety of operations, including rescue operations, inspecting suspicious packages and measuring beach erosion.
California's Corona Police Department launches UAS team to assist with community operations
On Thursday, Feb. 7., the UAS team of Corona, California's police department officially went into service. According to the Corona Police Department, the UAS team will be used to enhance the safety and service the department provides the community.
Made up of seven FAA certified UAS pilots, the UAS team will support various traditional and non-traditional police activities, including but not limited to, search and rescue, supporting fire operations, and helping locate and apprehend fleeing criminals.
UAVOS and Stratodynamics Aviation complete flight tests of HiDRON stratospheric aircraft
UAVOS Inc. and Stratodynamics Aviation Inc. have successfully completed the next stage of flights tests for their HiDRON stratospheric aircraft.
Reaching an altitude of 82,000 feet, the HiDRON carried an atmospheric measurement system onboard, as a result of a collaboration with researchers from the University of Kentucky.
The night-time flight, which was conducted in collaboration with the regional Air Traffic Control Agency, lasted four hours. There was a one-hour weather balloon launch period that had an average climb rate of 22 feet per second. At release altitude, the HiDRON was 22 miles away from the launch site where it headed home and was above launch area at an altitude of 59,000 feet.
