uAvionix, a designer and manufacturer of communications, navigation, and surveillance (CNS) equipment for unmanned aerial systems (UAS), has announced that it is testing its prototype of a Command and Non-Payload Control (CNPC) radio for UAS and Urban Air Mobility (UAM) vehicles.

“skyLink” is an L-Band frequency modulated CNPC radio ultimately intended for point-to-point or networked Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAS operations. uAvionix has focused on minimizing size, weight, and power consumption (SWaP) while maximizing range and spectrum efficiency. The current 50g 10-Watt prototype is testing successfully at ranges exceeding 40 miles at low altitude. uAvionix is testing under an experimental transmit license and approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) respectively.

Prior to founding uAvionix, CEO Paul Beard invented and brought to market the “Spektrum” digital spread spectrum radio control (RC) technology which revolutionized the RC industry by moving the control link from 27 and 72MHz bands to a high bandwidth 2.4GHz ISM band.

“Building high performance datalinks for airborne applications is insanely challenging,” said Beard. “Combining our ability to produce TSO certified equipment with the experience of developing and deploying millions of commercial products globally with Spektrum, we expect to bring affordable, scalable, and safe solutions to enable the UAS and UAM markets.”

The post BVLOS Command & Control Radio for UAS Under Development appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

SBG Systems has announced the Quanta UAV Series, a new line of Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) designed for system integrators of UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle)-based surveying platforms. The new line will be unveiled at the AUVSI Xponential show in Chicago.

SBG Systems has designed a small, lightweight, and low-power inertial navigation system with two levels of accuracy. Quanta UAV and Quanta UAV Extra have been developed for compact LiDAR and high-end BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) mapping solutions. They provide precise orientation and centimeter level position data delivered both in real-time and post-processing. This direct geo-referencing solution eliminates the need for ground control points and greatly reduces the need for overlapping.

Qinertia, SBG’s post-processing software, provides access to offline RTK corrections from more than 7,000 base stations located in 164 countries. Trajectory and orientation are greatly improved by processing inertial data and raw GNSS observables in forward and backward directions. This advanced software also computes base station positions to quickly get projects to centimeter-level accuracy.

Quanta UAV is the result of SBG’s expertise in both miniaturized technology for drone navigation and high-end sensors for mobile mapping. Designed as a geo-referencing solution, it can also be used as a high-end navigation solution to feed the UAV autopilot. Quanta UAV benefits from a tight integration with in-house IMUs, advanced calibration techniques and algorithms which ensure a consistent behavior in all weather conditions, as well as a robust position even if the UAV gets close to buildings, electrical lines, or trees.

Quanta UAV embeds a web interface for an easy configuration with a 3D view showing all parameters. The calibration tool automatically aligns the lever arm between the two antennas and the sensor, and re-estimates it in flight for more precision. Asking for More simplicity? The SBG Support Team is there to help the user for no extra cost, and Quanta UAV benefits from a two-year warranty and unlimited firmware updates.

Watch a video about the new Quanta UAV series below:

The post New INS/GNSS Developed for UAV Surveying Applications appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. has announced that its new Oklahoma City production facility will be the future home of the XQ-58A Valkyrie UAS (unmanned aerial system), which recently successfully completed its maiden flight. The announcement was made during an event at the facility during which Kratos’ first MQM-178 Firejet target drone aircraft was unveiled.

With primary customers including the United States Air Force, Navy, and Army, as well as foreign ally militaries, the Kratos Unmanned Systems Division opened this new production facility in November 2018 to accommodate the existing and increasing demand for its newest line of high performance, jet-powered unmanned aerial tactical and target systems. The XQ-58A Valkyrie is a runway-independent stealth drone capable of long-range flights at high-subsonic speeds, developed in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), that will be deployed by the U.S. Air Force as a “wingman” flying alongside manned aircraft.

Eric DeMarco, CEO of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., said: “Kratos is excited to announce that Oklahoma will be the future home of the XQ-58A Valkyrie. Kratos and the state of Oklahoma share a commitment to supporting our armed forces. As our company continues to grow and develop and build high-performance, low-cost technologies like the Firejet and the Valkyrie, we are proud to be doing so here. Oklahoma’s skilled workforce will help us keep America safe.”

Steve Fendley, President of Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, said, “As demand for Kratos’ target and tactical unmanned aerial systems continues to increase, so too does our need for additional and parallel production capacity. The Oklahoma facility provides us the added bandwidth necessary for sustained growth, and with the Firejet now in production here, achieves a key and exciting milestone. The Kratos team is grateful for the incredible support from the Oklahoma leaders and community that made this goal a reality in record time.”

“I am glad to join with the Oklahoma City community to welcome Kratos Defense,” said Senator James Lankford (R-OK). “Oklahoma is a national leader in aerospace and technology and an excellent home for the production of the unmanned Valkyrie and Firejet. We are grateful for Kratos’ commitment to our national defense, and we welcome another great employer to the state.”

The post Production Base for XQ-58A Valkyrie UAS Announced appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

Velodyne Lidar has announced that Techmake Solutions, a technology development company, is including Velodyne lidar sensors in its Eagle X mapping and surveying system. Velodyne’s lightweight lidar sensor provides Eagle X unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with a high-resolution image that allows users to accurately measure and analyze any landscape.

The Eagle X system will be introduced in 2019 to address aerial-mapping system needs within the fields of geography, surveying, topography, and natural resource management in Mexico, Central America, and South America.

“We saw the challenge that companies in our markets face in using limited mapping systems and converted it into an opportunity to deliver local innovation,” said Ing. David González P., CEO, Techmake Solutions. “We created a lidar mapping system that integrates several hardware components, including Velodyne sensors, and software we developed. The result is Eagle X, which makes lidar mobile mapping more accessible than ever before in our region.”

The Eagle X system is customizable to fit customer requirements for range, accuracy, weight, point cloud density, and budget. Eagle X delivers considerable ease of use because the system is controlled, from set-up through operation, via a smartphone, laptop, or tablet. Eagle X provides these devices with a streaming real-time image of a geo-referenced point cloud, while simultaneously generating and saving a map of the area. As Techmake expands Eagle X capabilities, users will receive automatic updates by connecting their system to a Wi-Fi network.

“Velodyne’s lidar sensors deliver the most accurate real-time, high-resolution data in the industry. Their performance, light weight, and compact form factor helped us to design an easy-to-use system that can be configured to fit a company’s specific mapping needs. Eagle X eliminates customer fear of not being able to buy a lidar mapping system or not being able to use it due to inadequate local support,” said González.

“Industry leaders rely on Velodyne’s rich computer perception data to provide high-performing mapping systems in a compact solution,” said Mike Jellen, President and CCO, Velodyne Lidar. “Techmake has developed a strong and hard-earned reputation for delivering customized projects and has built on this position by providing an exceptional, user-friendly lidar mapping experience with Eagle X.”

The post Velodyne Lidar Sensors Selected for Aerial Mapping UAS appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

Intelligent Energy has announced that it has developed a 2.4kW fuel cell power product for the commercial UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) market. The new module will be oficially unveiled at the AUVSI Xponential 2019 show in Chicago.

Intelligent Energy has to date launched four products specifically designed for commercial UAVs. These products provide a solution to the constraints of battery power and offer minimum downtime and fast refuel.

Recently, Intelligent Energy’s 800W Fuel Cell Power Module was used to achieve a new World Record for the longest multi rotor flight time, conducted by South Korean company MetaVista. The multi-rotor UAV flew for 12 hours, 7 minutes and 5 seconds using liquid hydrogen to fuel the module. This record greatly exceeds the previous one held for 2 hours, 6 minutes 7 seconds, demonstrating just what can be achieved.

Lee Juby, Chief Sales Officer at Intelligent Energy, said: “We have the lightest and most power dense fuel cells available on the market and we continue to design new and innovative products to ensure we are leading the way in fuel cell power for commercial UAVs.

“Initially, we will be offering the 2.4kW to select customers with first deliveries planned for October 2019. The modules will then be made widely available to customers from early 2020. This latest product can achieve much longer flight times, for example on a DJI M600 frame with a 11 litre 350Bar hydrogen cylinder, a retrospectively fitted 2.4kW FCPM could achieve a flight time of over 2 hours compared to just 25 minutes with its battery power pack.”

Two 2.4kW modules can also be linked in parallel to provide up to 4.8kW of power without the need for additional hardware. The module provides continuous power to the UAV and is hybridised with a small battery to manage the peak loads. The module can be fitted onto a number of off the shelf frames, however, efficiencies and flight time can be optimised further still on a customised frame.

The post Intelligent Energy Launches 2.4kW Fuel Cell Power Module appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

KDE Direct, a designer and manufacturer of UAS (unmanned aerial system) components, has announced that it has developed a new brushless motor, the KDE13218XF-105, designed for heavy lift applications.

Offering improved efficiency and torque, the new KDE13218XF-105 motor has the largest lift capacity in KDE’s Brushless Motor Series. Designed with state-of-the-art computer modeling, the motor integrates a centrifugal fan for efficient cooling, angular contact bearings, and machine wound copper wiring for consistent performance.

KDE Direct has also developed a new universal battery eliminator circuit, the KDE-UBECUVC, designed for high power applications supporting 14S LiHV power systems. The UBEC is engineered with overload protection, six power output ports, and a high-power output lead. The new high voltage product is designed to provide clean adjustable voltage to power peripheral equipment tailored to individual system needs.

Both products will be displayed at the AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2019 trade show.

The post New Industrial Heavy Lift Brushless Motor Announced appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

FLIR Systems has announced that it has been awarded a $1.8 million contract by the British Army to deliver the FLIR Black Hornet 3 Personal Reconnaissance System (PRS). The order is for an experimental procurement of the combat-proven Black Hornet PRS and part of the UK Ministry of Defense’s Transformation Fund Rapid Procurement Initiative.

Units delivered under the contract will support platoon- and troop-level surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. They also will be used in part for a test and evaluation of nano Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) capabilities to enhance warfighters’ situational awareness on the frontlines.

“In 2013, the British Army was the first military force to deploy this technology in an active combat zone with troops operating in Afghanistan,” said David Ray, President of FLIR’s Government and Defense Business Unit. “We are pleased they have again chosen FLIR for its nano UAS solution and we are proud to provide the Black Hornet 3, our latest version of this revolutionary, lifesaving technology, to soldiers on the battlefield.”

At 32 grams with a flight time up to 25 minutes, the nearly silent, pocket-sized Black Hornet 3 transmits live video and high-definition still images back to the operator. Its information feed provides soldiers with immediate covert situational awareness to help them more effectively complete their mission. FLIR has delivered more than 7,000 Black Hornets to military customers worldwide, and this new contract with the British Army expands use of the Black Hornet PRS for military surveillance and reconnaissance programs.

FLIR will manufacture the systems in Hvalstad, Norway. Deliveries will begin immediately and are expected to be completed within six months.

The post British Army Acquires Black Hornet 3 Reconnaissance UAS appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

uAvionix, a developer of Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance (CNS) equipment for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), has announced a partnership with ProfiCNC and Hex, developers of the Cube UAS autopilot, to integrate ADS-B IN receive capability into their Carrier Board.

The new Carrier Board integrates uAvionix’s custom ADS-B silicon for 1090MHz ADS-B reception for worldwide Detect and Avoid (DAA) functionality. CubePilot, which uses the open-source ARDUPILOT platform, previously provided plug-and-play functionality for several uAvionix ADS-B IN and OUT products, including PingRX, Ping2020i and Ping1090i. Support for these products is retained in the new design, allowing for 978MHz ADS-B reception or integration of ADS-B OUT functionality.

With this integration, UAS operators will be able to see nearby ADS-B OUT enabled aircraft on ARDUPILOT’s Mission Planner, allowing the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) with timely notification to take the necessary actions to remain well clear.

“With this partnership, uAvionix furthers our goal of ensuring safety and common situational awareness between airspace users,” states Christian Ramsey, uAvionix President. “We believe that ADS-B IN functionality should be a requirement for every DAA system for UAS operations over people or Beyond Visual Line of Sight, and meeting that requirement should not be cost prohibitive.”

“The safe integration of UAS into the National airspace of any country needs to take a safety-first approach from all players. By partnering with uAvionix and including the ADSB-in at practically no cost to the customer, we remove the cost barrier, adding safety to our customers’ UAS solutions.” said Philip Rowse, Hex/ProfiCNC CTO. “We envisage this added situational awareness, and optional auto avoidance behavior will be an important step towards safely shared skies.”

The post ADS-B IN Capabilities Added to CubePilot UAS Autopilots appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

Sky Power, a manufacturer of propulsion systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has announced that it will unveil a series of new engines for different UAS performance classes at the AUVSI Xponential 2019 trade show in Chicago. The new product portfolio ranges from small single-cylinder engines based on carburetor technology to 2-cylinder engines with carburetor or injection system options.

“We are very proud to be able to present an entire series of new engines at the trade fair. This is an important step for our young, but experienced company. We have incorporated more than 30 years of experience of our employees into developing efficient, reliable and powerful efficient, reliable and powerful engines,” stated Karl Schudt, CEO of Sky Power GmbH.

Of the new engines, only the SP-28 is available in just one version, as it is the smallest single-cylinder engine in the portfolio. This engine is equipped with a carburetor and has an improved cylinder design for increased thermal stability. From the second half of the year the engine will be offered with the newly developed SP-IGU ignition system.

All other engines in the Sky Power portfolio are provided with two spark plugs. “With the SP-28 this is not possible due to the small cylinder volume of 28 ccm,” commented Schudt. The SP-55 series, with 55ccm, can be operated both with a carburetor as well as with an injection system. Both the carburetor and the injection system are positioned at the side of the crankcase and inject directly into it. As a result, a generator or starter generator can be positioned on the rear exposed drive shaft, which enables a highly compact design. In addition, the engine is equipped with Sky Power’s HKZ215 ignition system and ECU030 fuel injection system.

“At the trade fair we will present the engine in a carburetor version. However, the engine is also available in other versions, with injection system and soon as a Heavy Fuel (HF) variant,” added Schudt.

Heavy fuel engines will be available in the near future, with three different versions based on one engine. 2-cylinder engines with 110, 210, 170 and 275 ccm will presented at AUVSI Xponential. All engines can be provided with a generator or starter generator on the drive shaft and are equipped with the HKZ215 ignition system and the ECU030.

The entire engine portfolio can be used for hybrid operations. “What kind of generator power and other subsystems are necessary depends on the customer’s application. Because of this we presented our Engine Kit last year, which gives the customer an overview of the different options. Ultimately almost every engine leaves our production in a different configuration, dependent on the customer’s needs,” stated Schudt. Furthermore, all engines can be provided with a system carrier, on which the ignition electronics are mounted. As a result, the engine can be integrated with the most important subsystems in an aircraft to save space.

The post Sky Power to Unveil New Series of UAS Engines appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

Cubic Corporation has announced that its Cubic Mission Solutions (CMS) business division has been awarded a contract by The Boeing Company to supply its Wideband Satellite Communications (SATCOM) modem system and Line-of-Sight (LOS) Common Data Link (CDL) system for the MQ-25 unmanned aerial refueling program.

“Our resilient, wideband communication solution will enable the MQ-25 to conduct its missions safely and securely,” said Mike Twyman, president of Cubic Mission Solutions. “We are thrilled to continue our support of Boeing’s innovative design for this critical platform.”

The MQ-25 is the U.S. Navy’s first operational carrier-based unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and is designed to provide a much-needed refueling capability. The contract supports Boeing’s engineering and manufacturing development program to provide four MQ-25 aircraft to the U.S. Navy for initial operational capability by 2024.

“The MQ-25 program is vital because it will help the U.S. Navy extend the range of the carrier air wing, and Boeing and our industry team is all-in on delivering this capability,” said Dave Bujold, Boeing’s MQ-25 program director. “The work we’re doing is also foundational for the future of Boeing – where we’re building autonomous systems from seabed to space.”

This latest contract will help support more than 30 jobs for Cubic, which is a data link supplier to a range of U.S. Navy defense programs.

The post SATCOM & Data Link Selected for US Navy Tanker UAV appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

Alta Devices has announced a new solar solution that is designed to meet the specific needs of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can serve as platforms for cellular and IoT (Internet of Things) connectivity. By combining its breakthrough solar cell technology with several new inventions, this solution offers features to maximize power, minimize weight, and provide sufficient protection from the harsh environment commonly found in the Earth’s stratosphere.

High altitude long endurance (HALE) UAVs that fly at stratospheric levels (sometimes also referred to as high altitude pseudo satellites (HAPS)), are an important new aircraft category and can include airplanes, airships, and/or balloons that can fly at altitudes of 20 kilometers (60,000 feet) for extended periods of time. In addition to being used for a variety of communications (such as cell phone connectivity and others), these aircraft can be used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), search and rescue, border patrol, mapping, and many other applications. Solar power is critical for these aircraft, particularly because the objective is to fly for years without refueling.

Flight at this altitude demands solar technology that is different from the type used in terrestrial installations or in space. For example, at 60,000 feet, ultraviolet radiation from the sun is more intense than on the earth’s surface. Unlike in space with zero gravity, the generation of lift is important for stratospheric vehicles. In order to allow the aircraft to carry a useful payload and enough batteries for night flight, the solar technology used must be extremely light-weight. In contrast to both terrestrial and space applications, at 60,000 feet, mechanical stresses during flight can be very tough on the aircraft surface and solar panels, so the solar material must be flexible and durable.

Alta Devices’ new HALE solar product uses world-record efficiency single junction gallium-arsenide solar cells, producing industry-leading power-per-unit-area under high-altitude operating conditions. Alta has worked closely with its HALE customers to solve critical challenges related to the mechanical and electrical integration of this technology onto multiple aircraft platforms. The company developed a special, lightweight packaging solution that protects the solar cells from the extreme UV, ozone and the thermal environment of the stratosphere, while maintaining a smooth, aerodynamic surface.

Other crucial challenges addressed by Alta include designing for mechanical stresses and vibration expected during flight and developing techniques for successful co-curing into lightweight composite structures. Optimizing a solar array for an aircraft requires complex configurations that maximize cell packing factor, minimize electrical mismatch and allow the design to utilize maximum surface area for solar. Alta worked with its customers to understand these requirements and developed sophisticated module designs that address these issues, thus providing an easy-to-integrate solution that maximizes system performance, while reducing the amount of work required during installation.

Alta Devices CEO, Jian Ding, commented, “Alta Devices recognizes that our aerospace customers need to innovate every aspect of these new and complex aircraft systems. With our new HALE solar solution, they now have one less thing to worry about. This will simplify the design process and significantly reduce the complexity involved in manufacturing these aircraft.”

The Alta Devices HALE solar product, called Alta Devices Anylight Solar for HALE, utilizes Alta’s recently announced 29.1% world-record efficiency single junction solar cell. It provides performance of over 300 W/m2 under high-altitude operating conditions. This product provides packing density of up to 94% including diodes and connectors. Aerospace-grade UV and ozone-resistant materials encapsulate the lightweight gallium arsenide solar material for multi-year life. Alta Devices engineers with extensive expertise in integration are available for customer support and advice on optimal integration techniques such as co-curing or adhesives. Finally, Alta Devices is ramping its production capability in response to its customers, who plan to manufacture a multitude of HALE aircraft in the near future.

The post Solar Power Solution Announced for HALE UAVs appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

AeroVironment has announced the achievement of a significant milestone in its solar HAPS (High-Altitude Pseudo-Satellite) UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) project, the assembly of the first HAWK30 solar HAPS for its HAPSMobile joint venture with SoftBank Corp.

“AeroVironment recently rolled out the first HAWK30 for our HAPSMobile joint venture, initiating a new phase of our design, development and demonstration program and the promise of a new era for global connectivity,” said Wahid Nawabi, AeroVironment president and chief executive officer. “The result of decades of experience developing and flying solar HAPS, our team designed, developed and assembled the entire HAWK30 in only 24 months. This is very rapid for a HAPS of such large size and significant payload capacity.”

Developed and assembled in AeroVironment’s HAPS Innovation Center, the HAWK30 has a wingspan of approximately 260 feet and is propelled by 10 electric motors powered by solar panels covering the surface of the wing, resulting in zero emissions. Flying at an altitude of approximately 65,000 feet above sea level and above the clouds, the HAWK30 is designed for continuous, extended missions of up to months without landing.

“We are making great progress on this program and look forward to sharing future achievements with our shareholders and potential customers. We are excited to debut our next generation HAPS as we advance this strategically important project for HAPSMobile and for AeroVironment,” added Nawabi.

The post First HAWK30 Solar HAPS UAV Assembled appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

uAvionix has announced the development of a new line of certified avionics designed to enable Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) type certifications and Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) mission capabilities. The new products include the ping200X Mode S Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast (ADS-B) transponder and the truFYX Satellite Based Augmentation System (SBAS) Global Positioning System (GPS) navigation source.

Ping200X represents a revolutionary step in the uAvionix Mode S ADS-B transponder technology. Ping200X is designed from the ground up for Technical Standard Order (TSO) certification to Design Assurance Level C (DAL-C) for software and hardware under RTCA DO-178C and DO-254. Weighing only 50 grams, Ping200X is a 250W Class 1 Level 2els, full power Mode S transponder being certified to TSO-C112e (Mode S), TSO-C166b (ADS-B OUT), and TSO-C88b for the internal altitude encoder. Certification is expected to be complete by July 2019.

truFYX will be the world’s first SBAS GPS position source certified under TSO-C145e as a Class Beta 1 device. uAvionix previously certified the truFYX position source as a integrated component of the skyBeacon ADS-B OUT solution for General Aviation (GA). Not only is the truFYX designed to pair with ADS-B OUT solutions for U.S. and worldwide ADS-B compliance, it is also approved for use as a certified position source for an integrated navigation system (autopilot) for oceanic and domestic en route, terminal approach (LNAV), and departure operations. The truFYX TSO certification package has been filed with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Aircraft Certification Office (ACO) and approval is expected very shortly.

“The UAS market has evolved to the point where UAS Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are now executing serious efforts to achieve aircraft type certifications. Leveraging certified equipment not only for ADS-B, but also as the primary position source for BVLOS autopilot navigation helps our customers achieve those goals,” states uAvionix President Christian Ramsey. “Until now, certified solutions meeting the Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) profile of unmanned systems simply didn’t exist.”

Both the ping200X and truFYX will be on display at the AUVSI XPONENTIAL trade show in Chicago.

The post uAvionix Launches Certified UAS Avionics appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

Elistair has announced the Ligh-T V.4, the newest version of its rugged and compact tether station for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The new drone tether station will be displayed at the AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2019 trade show in Chicago.

Since the release of the first version in 2015, Ligh-T has been widely deployed by police forces, public safety, private security and industries in over 50 countries, and was selected to provide security for various major events such as the 2019 Superbowl and the Trinidad Carnival.

Drawing on its experience and its large tethered drone customer base in more than 50 countries, Elistair has provided the Ligh-T V4 with new features designed to facilitate operator workflow. With its 230 feet long micro-tether, the system provides unlimited power to a wide range of drones thanks to Plug and Fly Air modules, and is compatible with models such as DJI’s M200 V2, M200 V1, Inspire 1 and 2, or the Yuneec H920. Unlimited data transfer is possible through its 10.5 g/m micro-tether.

The micro-tether is also equipped with a new Dual Mode Tether Management system (DMTM), enabling smart motorized control of the micro-tether tension while allowing the user to manually wind and unwind, in case of power outage. Housed in a rugged cased with an open and accessible interface, the system is easily transportable, optimized for easy maintenance and fully protected from the elements, allowing it to be deployed quickly in demanding and challenging conditions.

Ligh-T V.4 is ideal for fast and safe surveillance, defense, public and private safety, incident/natural disaster assessment and pop-up telecommunication missions. The smart system is completed by the T-Monitor application that allows full monitoring of the drone tether station’s state during each flight.

Watch a video about the new tethered drone station below:

The post Elistair Unveils New Drone Tether System appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has announced that, in conjunction with the Ohio Unmanned Aircraft Systems Center, it will begin testing groundbreaking aviation technology at the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently confirmed that new technology developed in collaboration between AFRL and the State of Ohio – called SkyVision – safely, accurately, and effectively allows UAS to detect and avoid other aircraft while in flight.

The validation of this aviation technology led the FAA to grant AFRL a certificate of authorization to test defense-related drone technology without reliance on a visual observer or chase aircraft. Typically, drones can only fly within the uninterrupted line of sight of the person operating the UAS, but this special waiver allows AFRL and the Ohio UAS Center, which is part of the Ohio Department of Transportation’s DriveOhio Initiative, to use SkyVision to test drones beyond the visual line of sight within a 200 square-mile parcel of unrestricted airspace near the Springfield-Beckley Municipal Airport.

“As our country steps more and more into the unmanned age of flight, this technology is on the forefront of the aviation frontier, making Ohio a critical national asset for the research and development of UAS technology,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “This also opens the door for commercial companies to work with Ohio, AFRL, and the FAA to test their own UAS-related technology using our SkyVision detection system. This is a major step in revolutionizing the transportation industry, with Ohio leading the way in aerospace, defense, and aviation innovation.”

“This is an important development in the progression of unmanned aircraft,” said Major General William Cooley, Commander of AFRL at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. “This waiver provides the latitude to test beyond-line-of-sight keeping AFRL on the leading edge of world-class research and accelerates the delivery of technology that makes a difference to the warfighter.”

“By enabling our lower-altitude airspace for advanced modes of transportation, we’ll be able to facilitate new opportunities around advanced autonomous aircraft research and development,” said Lt. Governor Husted. “This will bring investment to Ohio and solidifies Ohio’s position as a world-recognized leader in aviation technology.”

Ohio’s SkyVision detection system could potentially be used by the state to develop and test UAS technology to assist citizens in the event of a natural disaster or to significantly enhance the capability of search and rescue teams to find missing persons in time-critical situations. Commercial companies, such as those looking to use drones to survey damaged infrastructure or hoping to launch drone commerce operations, will also now have incentive to move to Ohio to test their own UAS technology.

VyrtX, a company based out of Dayton, is among the first companies that has committed to expand into Springfield to work with AFRL and the Ohio UAS Center. VyrtX is currently developing technology for the potential transport of organ donations between hospitals for transplant surgeries.

UAS test flights will take place at heights ranging from 1,000 feet above ground to 10,000 feet mean sea level. Air traffic control experts from the Ohio UAS Center will operate SkyVision during each flight. The SkyVision detection system is located within a mobile unit so that it can be flexibly placed in optimum positions for each flight.

“Today’s announcement comes after years of hard work and collaboration among an incredible group of partners,” said Jeff Hoagland, President and CEO of the Dayton Development Coalition. “AFRL and Ohio had a bold vision to bring UAS into the national airspace for true beyond-visual-line-of-sight flight. The work done here will shape the industry for years to come.”

The State of Ohio and AFRL both invested a combined $5 million for the research and development of SkyVision.

Supported by the Ohio Department of Transportation, DriveOhio works to ensure Ohio’s regulatory environment and public policies are conducive to the development of the infrastructure and technologies needed for smart mobility.

AFRL and a delegation of Ohio UAS industry experts will showcase the SkyVision system at AUVSI Xponential in Chicago.

The post Air Force Research Laboratory Tests UAS Traffic Control System appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

Polynesian Exploration has announced the release of PolyScanner, a high-performance, compact integrated solution for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) 3D HD mapping and surveying.

The system features dual frequency dual antenna GNSS INS, a high level of integration and a compact, robust design. The next generation long-range LiDAR and industry-grade global shutter camera provide superior performance in comparison with rolling shutter cameras commonly used in mapping and GIS equipment. The PolyScanner system is supported by post-processing software suite which generates high accuracy true colored point cloud data.

With a LiDAR detection range of up to 260 m and a camera resolution of 8.9 MP, the system is designed to be quickly integrated with an existing UAV. It is also available as part of PolyMapper, a complete solution bundled with a DJI Matrice 600 commercial drone.

The POLYSCANNER system also includes:

• HD CAMERA w/Global Shutter
• Dual RTK INS/GNSS with centimeter-level accuracy
• FUSION Board w/ ARM, and memory
• Point cloud post-processing software suite

The onboard fusion computer is tightly coupled with the precision GNSS/INS system, allowing creation of a single raw data file from both LiDAR and camera sensors inputs, which are time- and geo-tagged. The data can be post-processed by 3rd party software. Polynesian Exploration provides a full set of software to generate highly accurate, true color point cloud data.

The embedded GNSS/INS provides centimeter-level accuracy location and high precision attitude. The precision inertial sensors allow the system to successfully maintain position during GNSS outages while going under bridges, inside tunnels or during similar signal obstructions.

The post 3D HD Integrated Mapping & Surveying Solution Unveiled for UAVs appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

Navmar Applied Sciences Corporation (NASC) has announced that it has received a Special Airworthiness Certification in the Experimental Category from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) for two of its NASC TigerShark-XP UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), the N1740X and N1750X. The TigerShark-XP is a variant of the US Navy RQ-23A Group III Unmanned Aircraft System. The RQ-23A saw service in both Iraq and Afghanistan with over 100,000 flight hours.

The TigerShark-XP has been assigned to research and development projects such as aircraft anti-ice and de-ice projects, detect-and-avoid development, National Airspace integration, weather detection and avoidance, and numerous payload operations for NASA and Academic R&D programs. As experimental aircraft, they are also utilized as autopilot development platforms evaluating denied GPS environments and other command and control innovations.

Both the TigerShark-XP and its larger NASC stablemate, the NASC Teros, offer a “Plug and Play” capability and can be equipped with a variety of payloads including onboard weather radar, detect-and-avoid radar, 4G LTE data links, Iridium satellite, and an expanded Silvus MIMO radio network.

“Having the TigerShark-XP approved as FAA Special Aircraft Category-Experimental Certification (SAC-EC) allows for expanded research and flight crew training in the National Airspace System (NAS),“ said Richard Leverich, Senior Program Engineer, NASC. “This opens innumerable opportunities for further development leading to FAA type certification and even further integration into the NAS.”

Additionally, NASC recently announced the opening of a TigerShark-XP training center at the Griffiss International Airport in Rome, NY. This training center focuses on TigerShark-XP flight and maintenance operations as well as Cloud Cap Piccolo Command Center (PCC) training.

The post TigerShark-XP UAVs Receive FAA Experimental Certification appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

Sky Power, a manufacturer of propulsion systems for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has announced that it is now offering Project Consulting, Project Workshops and Project Management services, catering to specific requirements during the different stages of customer projects.

“Our customers are in different project stages of developing their products, when they are interested in an engine or a complete propulsion unit from Sky Power. In some cases, our customers already know exactly what kind of propulsion performance is required for their UAS. In other cases, both sides have to work together to specify the next steps of development,” commented Karl Schudt, CEO of Sky Power GmbH.

In order to be able to respond flexibly to these project conditions, Sky Power offers various project services to determine, together with the customer, the right engines and propulsion units for a particular project. Sky Power offers Project Consulting for when the project objective of the customer is not yet clearly outlined. This may include development as well as system integration. The aim of the project consulting is to support the customer with technical knowledge and experience in the definition of project objectives.

Customers who are already in an ongoing project phase are often searching for a drive partner, who not only supports them with hardware, but also applies knowledge and experience. To understand what added value Sky Power can provide, 1- or 2-day Project Workshops are offered. In these workshops the customer’s project and objectives are examined in more detail to define a possible cooperation framework. The goal of the workshop is the preparation of a tight project cooperation, in which the intentions and tasks of both partners are clearly defined.

Sky Power can undertake the entire Project Management for the development of a custom-fit propulsion solution. All technical parameters, schedules and budgets must be clarified and fixed in advance. Subsequently, the Sky Power team collaborates as closely as possible with the customer and is involved in all design and development steps of the UAS. The earlier this cooperation starts, the more system-related the propulsion solution can be specified and implemented.

Sky Power will be attending the AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2019 trade show in Chicago.

The post Sky Power Adds UAS Consulting and Project Development Services appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

Anemoment LLC, a designer of specialized meteorological instruments for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has announced the availability of the Anemoment Data Logger 222 for use with its TriSonica Mini Wind and Weather Sensor. The Data Logger 222 simplifies data capture and integration of the TriSonica Mini Wind and Weather Sensor in fixed or mobile installations.

The model number (222) indicates 2x Serial instrument ports; 2x analog inputs; and 2x digital inputs. Able to operate from a simple AC power adaptor, a solar or wind-charged battery system, or an integrated battery pack, the Data Logger 222 provides the deployment flexibility that researchers require. Data captured is stored on a MicroSD card, or transmitted over a Serial or WiFi data link.

“Our goal has always been to make our products intuitive, reliable and extremely accurate,” states Stephen Osborn, Chief Technology Office, Anemoment, LLC. “The Data Logger 222 continues that tradition. Gone are the days of hacking together a solution using multiple boards from multiple vendors, attempting to match voltage levels and power requirements, simply to integrate the TriSonica Mini into your project.”

Data Logger 222 options include:

• PCB Assembly (for integration directly into user’s system)
• Packaged in a water-tight box (accommodates a single TriSonica Mini pipe-mount version, with power and data connectors wired to the PCB inside the box)

The Data Logger 222 can accept data from two TriSonica Minis. With this option, the water-tight box accommodates two pipe-mount connectors and a single power and data connector.

Anemoment will be showcasing its product line at the AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2019 trade show in Chicago.

The post Integrated Data Logging Solution Launched for UAV Anemometers appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.

Applied Aeronautics has announced that the company’s Albatross UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) complies with the latest Transport Canada regulations for advanced drone operations in controlled airspace, as well as operations near people and operations over people. This certification will allow Canadian customers to operate the long-range Albatross UAV once Transport Canada’s new framework for civilian drone operations takes effect across the country.

“This approval of our Albatross UAV is an important milestone for our company as we work not only to expand international exposure but to do so in a manner that emphasizes safe and responsible use,” said Ryan Johnston, Applied Aeronautics CEO. “Advanced operations, particularly BLOS, are sure to be the cornerstone of this industry, but must go hand in hand with solid and accessible education tools and reasonable restrictions.”

The updated Transport Canada regulations for advanced drone operations restrict use to drones whose reliability and operational characteristics are compliant with a stringent safety assurance framework.

“We’ve had the pleasure of working with several leading Canadian companies and government bodies, and see tremendous opportunity for advanced commercial operations from coast to coast,” said Meg Annand, Applied Aeronautics COO. “We’re thrilled to receive this certification that will allow us to continue serving our Canadian customer’s varied needs without interruption.”

The post Albatross UAV Achieves Transport Canada Compliance appeared first on Unmanned Systems Technology.