Boeing has announced an investment in Kittyhawk, a company that is offering a “unified approach” to the safe operation of commercial UAS.
According to Boeing, Kittyhawk’s technology will support the development of a UAS Traffic Management System (UTM), which will allow both piloted and autonomous air vehicles to safely coexist in the airspace.
Founded in 2015, Kittyhawk has developed enterprise software and mobile-based apps that integrate “real-time UAS flight operations and management solutions” all in one platform. The company’s customer base has grown over the last three years to include industry leaders from a variety of fields, including media, rail transportation, and fire and emergency management agencies that rely on it for end-to-end UAS operations.
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In-Flight Data and senseFly partnering on Canada's largest BVLOS UAS Operations trial to date
In-Flight Data has announced that starting this week, it is embarking on Canada's largest BVLOS UAS Operations trial to date.
With support from senseFly, this project will seek to “demonstrate that BVLOS UAS flights can be conducted safely and efficiently, to the benefit of all Canadians, while providing cost reductions and/or operational efficiencies for the different use-cases involved.”
“We are truly excited to get the go ahead for this ambitious project,” says Chris Healy, the owner of In-Flight Data.
Chino Police Department purchases two new UAS
After purchasing two UAS in October 2017, California’s Chino Police Department has purchased two more UAS to add to its fleet.
The UAS, which were purchased by the City of Chino for a combined $64,000, weigh approximately 10 pounds. They are equipped with sirens, blue and red lights, and have infrared and zoom cameras.
“It’s a game changer,” says Lt. Aaron Kelliher, leader of Chino Police’s drone program, via the Chino Champion. “One camera has a 30 times optical zoom and six time digital zoom camera, which gives us the ability to see an object in detail.”
Lockheed Martin's Stalker eXtended Endurance UAS receives VTOL capability upgrade
Lockheed Martin has announced that its Stalker eXtended Endurance UAS has received a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability upgrade, which, according to Lockheed, gives users “greater mission flexibility,” and allows them to operate the system in more “austere locations.”
Aside from featuring a reduced logistics footprint, the new VTOL option also expands how and where the Stalker XE UAS may operate. Additionally, Lockheed notes that other launch alternatives include a pneumatic rail or a standard bungee launch system.
Callen-Lenz launches UAS development Flight Test Center in South West England
Callen-Lenz has launched its UAS development Flight Test Center.
Located in Wiltshire, South West England, the test center operates with regulatory approval from the UK Civil Aviation Authority, allowing for quick, local approval of UAS flight test activities “across a wide range of types and all-up mass.”
Callen-Lenz says that customers will really benefit from the ability to rapidly achieve testing on UAS greater than 20 kilograms mass.
Iris Automation selects Robotic Skies as aftermarket installation and field maintenance partner for its line of avionics products designed for UAS
Iris Automation has selected Robotic Skies Inc. as an “aftermarket installation and field maintenance partner” for its line of avionics products designed for UAS.
Under the agreement, Robotic Skies, through its global network of independently owned and operated certified aircraft service centers, will provide sales, installations, and ongoing field support for Iris Automation customers.
Corporate Service Supply & Manufacturing now an authorized reseller of Fruity Chutes UAV Recovery systems
Fruity Chutes, which manufactures UAS recovery systems, and Corporate Service Supply & Manufacturing (CSSM) have announced that CSSM is now an authorized reseller of Fruity Chutes UAV Recovery systems.
Through their agreement, CSSM can now sell the Fruity Chutes systems directly to its customers. The agreement also allows CSSM to integrate the Fruity Chutes Drone Recovery Systems into the UAS and system offerings that it markets to law enforcement, government, and commercial operators.
AeroVironment receives contract awards from U.S. Army for its Switchblade Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System and Contractor Logistics Support
AeroVironment has announced that in April, it received contract awards from the United States Army for procurement of its Switchblade Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System (LMAMS) and Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), bringing the total value of Switchblade awards to $111,054,202 since August 2017.
With the AeroVironment Switchblade, warfighters are provided with “rapid-response force protection and precision strike capabilities” up to 10 kilometers from its launch location. The Switchblade has been deployed by U.S. forces for more than five years.
ULC Robotics and Los Gatos Research showcase UAS technology during Mobile Methane Monitoring Challenge
While participating in the Mobile Methane Monitoring Challenge, ULC Robotics and Los Gatos Research (LGR) deployed their patented UAS-based sensor to identify the source of controlled methane leaks.
Data collected during the challenge by the UAS and sensor will be compared to eleven other ground- and aerial-based technologies.
“Leak surveys are traditionally carried out by vehicle or by foot, which can be inefficient and dangerous to utility workers,” says Michael Passaretti, UAV Program Manager at ULC Robotics.
