Threod Systems, a developer and manufacturer of drones for tactical and commercial applications, has confirmed that its quadcopter Titan Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has been deployed in Mali, Africa. Deployed with Milrem Robotics’ THeMIS Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), the two unmanned systems will support the troops of Estonian Defence Forces conducting operations there.

The Titan VTOL UAV can operate independently, providing surveillance or last mile support to ground units. The quadcopter platform has a multi-payload capability and lift capacity of 6 kg, making it ideal for a range of military of missions.

ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance) assets and automated intelligent information system gives information superiority over threat forces. These assets gather large amounts of information, process it rapidly into intelligence, and disseminate it to decision-makers quickly.

The THeMIS UGV is used as a transport or observation platform: it can transport equipment, such as ammunition, to lighten soldier’s load. The combined unmanned solution (UAV and UGV) is a modular, semi-autonomous and deployable capability that provides the unit commander with combat service and intelligence support with limited/minimum man-in-the-loop involvement.

Importantly, the two combined unmanned systems are a real force multiplier; they can significantly extend operation times, outperforming the endurance of any wireless drone. The system provides situational awareness and force protection for ground units, allowing for faster deployment and enhanced interoperability of ground forces.

The extreme climatic conditions in Mali have provided Threod with an opportunity to further assess the weather resistance of their VTOL UAV and push it’s boundaries in harsh environments.

Operation Barkhane

The mission of Estonian soldiers in Mali is to ensure the security of the French base in Gao and its vicinity. Operation Barkhane is a French-run counter-insurgency operation in the Sahel region. Its aim is to support the warfare against Islamic extremists in five countries (Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad). Thus, preventing illegal immigration and trafficking in Europe.

The mission is a great opportunity to provide the units of the Defence Forces with experience in the use of unmanned systems and enhance their operational capabilities.

“It is an operation in one of the world’s most challenging climates. It is a priceless experience for us and knowledge gained during the mission will be used for further R&D.,” said Jüri Pajuste, Director of Milrem Robotics’ Defense Programs Department.

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Ascent Vision Technologies (AVT) Australia has announced that it has been named by the Australian Association of Unmanned Systems (AAUS) as a finalist for the AAUS Industry Champion Innovation Award 2019. AVT Australia was nominated for its CM142 UAS (unmanned aerial system) payload – a lightweight, gyro-stabilised imaging system that delivers intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance in a compact 1kg system.

For maximum detection, recognition and identification during unmanned ISR missions, the CM142 delivers high definition daylight imagery with 30x continuous optical zoom and crisp longwave infrared imagery with 3x continuous optical zoom. Engineered for integration into small UAS, the CM142 offers cutting-edge technology enhancements in a lightweight, low power system. The CM142 was designed in AVT Australia’s R&D office in Melbourne and manufactured in their Sydney production facility. Since its launch, the CM142 has had substantial commercial success, with dozens sold worldwide for integration into UAS.

The AAUS Industry Champion Innovation Award recognises organisations that have largely contributed to the Australian unmanned systems industry through the development of new products and services. The winner of the award will be announced at the AAUS Champions of Industry Gala Dinner on July 17 at the National Convention Centre in Canberra.

Maurice Gonella, Vice President at AVT Australia, said: “It is a pleasure to be named a finalist for the AAUS Industry Champion Innovation Award. The CM142 is an innovative system that offers our customers superior performance in a 1kg system that can be easily integrated into small unmanned aerial vehicles. We are delighted that the CM142 lightweight gimbal has been acknowledged for its superior capabilities. This system marks the next generation of gimbal technology.”

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MetaVR has announced that the US Army Joint Technology Center and Systems Integration Lab (JSIL) has purchased an additional 86 MetaVR Virtual Reality Scene Generator (VRSG) licenses to provide visuals for the continued rollout of US Air Force MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) simulators.

The VRSG software is used in the Air Force’s MALET-JSIL Aircrew Trainer (MJAT) – a plug-and-play training capability that converts an operational MQ-9 ground control station (GCS) into a training simulator.

Within the MJAT, VRSG is part of the Air Force Synthetic Environment for Reconnaissance and Surveillance (AFSERS) software to stimulate the tactical vehicle control software to emulate GCS functions: air vehicle control, payload control, weapons control, communications, video data transmission and mission planning. VRSG simulates the RPA camera payload by streaming real-time HD-quality H.264 video with KLV metadata.

With its force-multiplying ability to enable RPA operators to train on actual aircraft GCS hardware, using real ISR systems and interacting with networked Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) simulators, the embedded MJAT provides the US Air Force a flexible and cost-effective method to ‘train as it fights.’ The MJAT also provides RPA operators the ability to conduct simulation training as part of their qualification and continuation training.

VRSG shares a common baseline with Battlespace Simulations’ Modern Air Combat Environment (MACE), which is used by all MJAT simulators for scenario creation and fully/semi-automated enemy force generation. This coupling enhances interoperability and correlation between MJAT and the large number of fielded VRSG-MACE-based JTAC simulators. This interoperability is critical in the simulated training environment, in order to emulate the joint force interaction and collaboration between Reaper sensor operators and JTACs during real-world missions.

“MJAT allows the US Air Force to maximize the use of its MQ-9 Reaper GCS at all times, to direct existing resource into deployed operations or training capacity in line with shifting demand,” Garth Smith, President of MetaVR commented. “The MQ-9 Reaper joins the growing list of US military UAV/RPA training platforms we support, including the Grey Eagle, Shadow, and Aerosonde.”

These new licenses will extend the roll-out of the MJAT simulator across US Air Force MQ-9 Reaper GCS sites. To date 56 MJATs have been fielded by the Air Force.

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HENSOLDT has announced that it has enhanced an important feature of its collision avoidance radar system for UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles). Following extensive laboratory tests and measurements, HENSOLDT has developed a special radome technology which protects the radar from environmental factors such as bird strikes or lightning, while minimally affecting the radar’s functionality. The architecture of the new radome was initially tailored to a particular test aircraft but can be adapted to other platforms. Further flight tests are scheduled to take place shortly.

HENSOLDT has developed a demonstrator of the detect-and-avoid radar system, which uses the latest radar technology to detect objects in the flight path of a UAV and to give early warning of any threat of collision following precise evaluation of the flight direction. At the same time, the sensor also assumes all the functions of a weather radar system. The multifunction radar for UAVs will be presented for the first time to the general public in Ulm, during the International Radar Symposium of the German Institute for Navigation (DGON).

The UAV radar system uses state-of-the-art AESA technology (Active Electronically Scanned Array), which allows several detection tasks to be carried out at the same time and enables objects to be detected extremely fast. It replaces the pilot’s visual assessment of the situation. Thanks to its excellent detection capabilities, the multifunction radar is equally suitable for military and civilian UAVs, e.g. for the delivery of cargo.

This radar system, which is incorporated into the UAV’s nose, needs to be protected by a radome that is electrically transparent, has exactly the same thickness across the board and is adapted to the aerodynamics of the platform. This requires special knowledge of materials processing and the operating principle of radar systems.

HENSOLDT operates one of Europe’s largest cleanroom production facilities at its Ulm site in order to produce the radio-frequency components required for AESA equipment. The company’s radar systems and radar components are used on board aircraft, satellites, ships and in ground stations.

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Microdrones, a developer of professional unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) solutions, has announced that it is partnering with CSI Mapping, a provider of forensic mapping solutions for accident reconstruction, crash scene training and equipment.

Steve McKinzie, President and CEO of CSI Mapping, conducted a thorough worldwide search to find the optimal integrated aerial solution to assist in collision scene reconstruction and investigation using unmanned aircraft systems. He concluded that Microdrones commercial grade products should be the standard.

McKinzie said, “Our focus was locating the finest product made with the best workmanship and the most reliability. No other product set the bar as high as Microdrones. Our biggest concern is a failure in flight, which is alleviated by partnering with Microdrones. Their integrated solutions have gained the trust of more than 1000 businesses worldwide. They have taken the guesswork out of the process, so you are ensured a perfectly integrated aerial solution that performs flawlessly from start to finish. We don’t buy our police officers kit cars to patrol in and they deserve a product like Microdrones to perform their jobs in a reliable, safe manner.”

CSI Mapping’s area of specialty is critical incident management on highways, which are highly dynamic and dangerous environments. Operations are designed not to further complicate the scene but to assist in the quick accurate documentation of roadway geometry and evidence. Microdrones mdMapper, mdLidar and mdTector solutions can help reduce time spent at collision sites, allowing for rapid restoration of traffic flow and the safety of investigative members.

“The mdMapper units will by far be the core of our application,” notes McKinzie. “The mdLidar unit will be the product that leads the industry in safely collecting data points. As you know highways carry large volumes of chemicals. The mdTector, we hope, will be the first of many chemical detectors that can save the lives of first responders. Equipment can be replaced while the preservation of life and limb is paramount. I am confident that CSI Mapping and Microdrones partnership will continue to provide the best service and product to our public servants.”

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Custom Interface, a leading manufacturer and integrator of custom cable assemblies, wire harnesses and electro-mechanical assemblies for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other aerospace systems, has partnered with Unmanned Systems Technology (“UST”) to demonstrate their expertise in this field. The ‘Gold’ profile highlights how they can provide innovative turnkey manufacturing solutions, systems integration, value-added engineering and prototype support for a wide range of defense, commercial and industrial UAS applications.

Custom Interface wiring harnesses and cable assemblies for Group 2 and 3 unmanned aircraft provide mission-critical, never-fail functionality under the most demanding of conditions, and have to date flown over one million hours without field failure. Custom rugged wiring solutions can be manufactured for everything from interface panels and lighting, up to complete UAS command and control systems.

Custom Interface also offer a wide variety of aerospace & UAS manufacturing services, including:

• Electro-mechanical and UAS Lead System Integration: installation of harnesses and electronic componentry into composite structures, such as Group 2 and Group 3 UAS airframes. Custom Interface works closely with customers to improve harness routing and product longevity, while simultaneously enhancing performance and reducing weight.
• Value-Added UAS Engineering Design Support: extensive review of customer designs to ensure manufacturability and recommend cost-saving and quality-improving options. This keeps design costs down and saves weight in space-constrained UAS applications, as well as maximizing ease of connection for UAS field operators.
• Aircraft Prototyping Services: supporting the development of UAS and aerospace prototypes and low initial production runs, helping customers move from concept to working design in a matter of days. Custom Interface can review drafts or schematics for manufacturability, build the prototypes and create a final document package for the product.
• Testing & Quality Control: Custom Interface target 100% quality on customer products, and currently achieve over 99.4%. The company is experienced with testing to NASA, Boeing, Airbus, FAA, ASME, and IPC 620 standards. Testing capabilities include microscopic visual inspection, basic continuity & isolation testing, HiPot testing, pull force testing, RF cable VSWR and insertion loss testing, and much more.
• Supply Chain & Cost Management: development of Turnkey Manufacturing programs that help reduce cost and lead times over the entire life cycle of customer products. Custom Interface can also help customize stocking packages and raw materials safety stock programs to mitigate lead time risks and ensure demand is always met.

To find out more about Custom Interface and their cable assembly and wire harness solutions for unmanned systems, please visit their profile page:
https://www.unmannedsystemstechnology.com/company/custom-interface-inc/

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FlyTech UAV has announced that it has upgraded its flagship BIRDIE fixed-wing UAS (unmanned aerial system) with VTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) capabilities. The BIRDIE is a complete mapping solution consisting of the fixed-wing platform, dedicated flight controller, PPK, full-frame camera and GSM connectivity for unlimited flight range.

Find suppliers of Hybrid Fixed-Wing VTOL UAVs >

The VTOL capability is delivered via extension modules that can be attached and detached at any time, giving the user flexibility of use. The use of the VTOL extension module is recommended when fixed-wing UAVs might encounter issues due to hard surfaces or lack of proper takeoff and landing space. It takes a few seconds to attach the extension modules between the body and wings of the UAV. The dedicated flight controller adjusts the flight mode automatically.

The UAV takes off vertically and fully autonomously, then converts to horizontal flight, follows the mission pattern and lands vertically wherever the user requires. The VTOL module can be used without any loss of data quality – for both fixed-wing and VTOL flight, mapping accuracy up to 3 cm and resolution up to 1 cm/px can be achieved.

With this new upgrade, the BIRDIE UAS can now be used in a wide range of demanding environments, such as thick forests and on mountainous and rocky terrain. The aircraft can be upgrade to VTOL at any time after purchase.

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BAE Systems has announced that it has been awarded funding from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to integrate machine-learning (ML) technology into platforms that decipher radio frequency signals, such as military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Its Controllable Hardware Integration for Machine-learning Enabled Real-time Adaptivity (CHIMERA) solution provides a reconfigurable hardware platform for ML algorithm developers to make sense of radio frequency (RF) signals in increasingly crowded electromagnetic spectrum environments.

The up to $4.7 million contract, dependent on successful completion of milestones, includes hardware delivery along with integration and demonstration support. CHIMERA’s hardware platform will enable algorithm developers to decipher the ever-growing number of RF signals, providing commercial or military users with greater automated situational awareness of their operating environment. This contract is adjacent to the previously announced award for the development of data-driven ML algorithms under the same DARPA program (Radio Frequency Machine Learning Systems, or RFMLS).

RFMLS requires a robust, adaptable hardware solution with a multitude of control surfaces to enable improved discrimination of signals in the evolving dense spectrum environments of the future.

“CHIMERA brings the flexibility of a software solution to hardware,” said Dave Logan, vice president and general manager of Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Systems at BAE Systems. “Machine-learning is on the verge of revolutionizing signals intelligence technology, just as it has in other industries.”

In an evolving threat environment, CHIMERA will enable ML software development to adapt the hardware’s RF configuration in real time to optimize mission performance. This capability has never before been available in a hardware solution. The system provides multiple control surfaces for the user, enabling on-the-fly performance trade-offs that can maximize its sensitivity, selectivity, and scalability depending on mission need. The system’s open architecture interfaces allow for third party algorithm development, making the system future-proof and easily upgradable upon deployment.

Other RF functions, including communications, radar, and electronic warfare, also can benefit from this agile hardware platform, which has a reconfigurable array, front-end, full transceiver and digital pre-processing stage. Work on these phases of the program will take place at BAE Systems’ sites in Hudson and Merrimack, New Hampshire, and Dallas, Texas.

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Inertial Sense, a developer of inertial navigation solutions for UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and robotics, has released a case study outlining how an aerial imaging company has utilised Inertial Sense INS/GNSS navigation systems to provide accurate orientation information that helps them implement better automated data processing algorithms.

When conducting an aerial survey, obtaining an accurate position estimate of the camera target is essential. In order to collect the imagery, the imaging company builds their own camera systems and flies them on small single-engine aircraft between 1,000 and 10,000 ft. above the fields.

Read the full case study here

The case study provids details of:

• The challenges inherent in multi-spectral aerial imagery acquisition for precision agriculture
• The specifications of the Inertial Sense OEM INS module selected for the solution
• The improved results delivered by the new system

To find out more about the improved performance provided by Inertial Sense INS/GNSS solutions in harsh environments, read the full case study on their website.

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DJI has announced that its high-security solution for government UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) programs, Government Edition, has received independent validation from the U.S. Department of the Interior. The approval was received after a more than 15-month rigorous assessment of the flight, payload, and data management assurance performance of DJI Matrice 600 Pro and Mavic Pro drones equipped with Government Edition firmware and software.

“The Department of Interior’s report validates DJI’s effort to build software and hardware solutions that meet the evolving data security needs of its customers,” said Mario Rebello, Vice President and Regional Manager of North America at DJI. “The DOI has a strong track record of leadership within the U.S. Government for its ability to pragmatically evaluate and implement drone technology for use across a wide variety of applications. We appreciate their partnership and value the collaborative effort to help create a DJI drone solution that will allow emergency first responders and others to save lives and effectively manage our public lands. We look forward to continuing to support the Department of Interior and other federal agencies with DJI’s industry-leading drone technology.”

The DOI’s findings were presented in a flight test and technical evaluation report. Key findings of the report included:

• DOI has been working with DJI for over two years to create a solution that would allow its bureaus access to DJI’s high-quality off-the-shelf hardware equipped with custom firmware and software to prevent intentional or unintentional data leakage to any outside entities.
• Testing of the Government Edition solution began in April of 2018 as part of the three-phase testing plan developed by DOI.
• Testing included 1,133 flights totaling 298 hours on the DJI Matrice 600 Pro and 1,112 flights totaling 240 hours for the DJI Mavic Pro drones.
• DOI collaborated with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Kennedy Space Center as well as other industry and federal partners with expertise in data management assurance testing to conduct targeted assessments of Government Edition hardware, firmware, and software.
• During testing there was no indication that data was being transmitted outside the system, confirming that they were operating as promised by DJI.

While DJI customers have full control over how the data they generate with drones is collected, stored and transmitted, Government Edition’s unique architecture ensures that drone data – including photos and videos captured during flight – can never be intentionally or accidentally shared with unauthorized parties. The solution is based on DJI’s drone hardware and is controlled by custom device firmware and operational software in a unique architecture that supports high data security requirements:

• No Data Transmission – A permanently enabled Local Data Mode within the custom DJI Pilot application prevents users from accidentally or even intentionally transferring data from the mobile application over the internet to third parties or to DJI.
• Firmware Reviews – Government agency aviation and IT departments can review firmware updates in electronic isolation before applying them to their fleets, and have full control over how to validate them and when to install them on DJI drones.
• Restricted Hardware Pairing – Drones and remote controllers running Government Edition solution firmware can only be linked with each other and are not compatible with other off-the-shelf DJI products, preventing the use of unsecure hardware and unauthorized third-party applications.

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Krypto Labs, the global innovation hub with a unique ecosystem for funding ground-breaking startups, has announced the opening of Phase II of Drone X Challenge (DXC) 2020. This global multimillion-dollar challenge aims to push the frontiers of innovation in drone technologies, with a focus on high payload capacity and long flight endurance UAVs.

The Drone X Challenge 2020 is Krypto Labs’ most rewarding initiative to date and is open to entrepreneurs, start-ups, researchers, university students and established companies. Teams wanting to apply for Drone X Challenge 2020 Phase II will have to develop a drone system capable of achieving the minimum endurance and payload as per the category they are applying to.

Categories:

• Fixed-wing drones battery powered
• Fixed-wing drones hybrid/hydrocarbon powered
• Multi-rotor drones battery powered
• Multi-rotor drones hybrid/hydrocarbon powered

Drone X Challenge 2020 is divided in 3 phases and a final event, providing US$1 Million Final Prize. The outstanding applications that meet the requirements of Phase II will collectively receive US$300,000 in R&D grants.

The shortlisted teams of Phase I received US$320,000 in R&D grants, which required applicants to provide a technical proposal detailing the design of a drone capable of meeting the minimum requirements of payload and endurance.

The shortlisted teams of Drone X Challenge 2020 Phase I are:

• RigiTech from Switzerland
• Forward Robotics from Canada
• Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) from Taiwan
• KopterKraft from Germany
• DV8 Tech from USA
• Richen Power from China
• Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) from Taiwan
• Vulcan UAV Ltd from UK.

Dr. Saleh Al Hashemi, Managing Director of Krypto Labs said: “This competition aligns with our efforts in contributing to the development of drone technology globally. We aim to redefine the way drone technologies are impacting our lives, and Krypto Labs is proud to be leading the way in the region by supporting startups, established companies, and industries involved in the field of drone development. By catalyzing and supporting these cutting-edge solutions, we aim to continue leveraging disruptive technologies that can create value and make an impact.”

For more information about Drone X Challenge 2020, please visit https://dronexchallenge2020.com.

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Microdrones has announced that the company is undertaking a California Summer Tour, from Monday July 15 through Friday July 19, travelling from Northern California to Malibu Beach and on to Southern California. The company will be showcasing their unmanned aerial systems (UAS) solutions at selected locations.

Microdrones will demonstrate how to make drones a part of Surveying, Mapping, LiDAR and inspection work, and how their integrated solutions create powerful data deliverables like 3D pointclouds, orthomosaics, or methane inspection concern maps. The company will also be conducting flight demonstrations to show how Microdrones Integrated Systems help collect data efficiently and safely.

Openings for participation in the Microdrones Summer Tour are still available:

• Monday July 15th – Outside of San Jose, at the Calero Dam and Reservoir, 10am -12pm
• Thursday July 18th – Riverside, CA in the Santa Ana Region at the Riverside County Flood Control

Register for the tour at Microdrones’ website.

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A consortium led by humanitarian aid organization Direct Relief has announced the successful completion of a program testing the potential to deliver temperature-controlled medicines and vaccines by using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It is the fourth in a series of proof-of-concept missions the group has undertaken to demonstrate the potential of using UAVs to safely deliver temperature-dependent medicines and vaccines to hard-to-reach locations. Direct Relief, Merck (known as MSD outside the U.S. and Canada), Softbox, AT&T and Volans-i are working together on the project.

The successful pilot and the potential of UAV technology could represent an important step forward in biopharmaceutical supply chain innovation and for humanitarian efforts around the world. The pilot was conducted in the Bahamas. The group previously conducted test flights in Switzerland and Puerto Rico.

“Experience and research consistently show that those most at risk of health crisis in disasters live in communities which are likely to be cut off from essential health care due to disruption of transportation and communications,” said Andrew Schroeder, who, among other responsibilities, leads analytics programs, data visualization, and geospatial analytics for Direct Relief. “Drone delivery is one of the most promising answers to this problem. More remains to be done to operationalize medical cargo drones in emergencies. But successful tests like this one demonstrate that remarkable new humanitarian capabilities are emerging quickly.”

While the technology is promising, the potential viability of the technology for real-world application will depend on several factors, including tackling diverse and evolving regulatory challenges around the world.

“This successful pilot demonstrates the potential of innovative UAV technology to aid in delivery of temperature-dependent medicines and vaccines to people who critically need them,” said Craig Kennedy, senior vice president, Supply Chain, at Merck. “The potential of UAV technology is just one of the many areas in which we are innovating across our business and our supply chain to maximize our ability to save and improve lives around the world.”

The pilot test was conducted fully autonomously with cold-chain delivery technology allowing for precise temperature control of medicines and vaccines at temperatures as low as minus 70 degrees Celsius, the temperature required for storing and transporting some life-saving medicines and vaccines. It utilized live, continuous temperature tracking through the duration of the flight with cloud-based, real-time data analysis and collection, designed to ensure safe and effective delivery.

“Our goal is to revolutionize the way goods and people move in the world,” said Hannan Parvizian, CEO and Co-Founder of Volans-i, in San Francisco. “Successfully demonstrating our ability to make temperature-controlled drone deliveries in various climate and terrain conditions across these pilots is a first step towards realizing our vision for a world in which no one should be deprived of access to life-saving medical supplies and vaccination due to lack of infrastructure and responsiveness of the transportation ecosystem.”

Richard Wood, Director, Digital Connected Technologies at Softbox, said, “This most recent proof-of-concept test has once again demonstrated the capabilities of the Softbox SKYPOD for the transportation of life saving medicines, this time at ultra-low temperatures. To ensure full track and trace throughout the test flight Softbox utilized Internet of Things (IoT) technologies and data dashboard services provided by AT&T. The data collected during the successful flights has shown everybody involved the power of IoT to provide full visibility of the Cold Chain, even in the most extreme environments while using innovative transportation modes. Through close collaboration with Direct Relief, Merck, Volans-I and AT&T, we have successfully proven the capabilities of this unique and ground-breaking combination of cutting-edge technologies and now will focus our efforts on completing subsequent pilot projects.”

In the test, a UAV flew over open water between the islands of the Bahamas, beyond the operator’s line of sight. Volans-i built and operated the all-electric drones, and the temperature-controlled payload box was developed by Softbox and connected by AT&T. Merck initiated the idea and provides supply chain expertise. The collaborators will now advance the pilot program so the technology can be tested in Africa and Latin America. The group of organizations involved in the successful pilot plan to continue to explore ways in which this technology can be used to deliver life-saving medicines and vaccines to the communities that need them most.

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Volans-i, Inc., an on-demand drone delivery business, has announced a strategic partnership with Fli Drone to provide on-demand drone delivery services in The Bahamas. To cement the partnership, the companies have successfully completed the first long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) delivery in The Bahamas.

The delivery originated at Abaco Aviation Services, a private FBO at The Leonard M. Thompson International Airport in Marsh Harbour and completed its delivery at Green Turtle Cay in 28 minutes. Previously this same delivery would require transit in both a car and on a ferry. Vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities allowed the drone to land and safely deliver its payload without any infrastructure required. In total, the fully autonomous flight covered nearly 50 miles, crossing both land and water.

The flight also marked the first time that a UAV operated in controlled airspace at an active commercial international airport outside of emergency operations. Fli Drone was in communication with and is grateful for the support it received from local officials including Marsh Harbour Air Traffic Control.

The Bahamas’ maiden UAV delivery was attended by leaders in the public and private sectors, including leaders of the Bahamian government. Attendees included Captain Stephen Russell (Director of the National Emergency Management Agency), Andrea Linden (Nurse-in-Charge Ministry of Health Abaco), various members of the Royal Bahamian Defence Force and members of the Volans-i and Fli Drone teams.

“Volans-i is excited to embark on this strategic partnership with Hogfish Ventures and offer drone delivery services in The Bahamas through Fli Drone,” said Hannan Parvizian, CEO and Co-Founder of Volans-i. “We see The Bahamas as a nation that is willing and wanting to adapt to match the pace of technology. Innovation in delivery systems, such as the leaps that drone delivery systems have enabled, should allow everyone to have new ways to tackle the challenge of getting supplies where they need them at the exact moment they need them.”

“The Bahamas is the most opportunistic area in the world for UAV deployment and development. Our inter-island nation can greatly benefit from a streamlined supply chain, capable of delivering goods to any island with minimal infrastructure,” said Robert T. Sweeting, Hogfish Ventures CEO & Co-Founder.

“Bringing world-class UAV technology to The Bahamas is yet another example of Fli and Hogfish Ventures’ commitment to bridging the gap between Silicon Valley and The Bahamas,” said Hogfish Ventures CTO & Co-Founder, Arthur E. Frisch.

Over the next 6-12 months Fli Drone will expand their on-demand aerial delivery services powered by Volans-i in The Bahamas to 70+ locations serviced from 2 main hubs with a capacity of transporting 1,000 lbs. of cargo per day.

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Delair, a supplier of commercial drone solutions, has announced the launch of Delair Takeoff, a subscription program for accessing the company’s high performance Delair UX11 family of UAVs and its delair.ai cloud-based data management solution. Customers can pay a fixed monthly fee and have unlimited use of the long-range, fully equipped drone. A six-month minimum contract is required, and the plan is currently only available to customers in Europe.

The program provides a 48-hour drone replacement guarantee in case of an accident, with limited out-of-pocket cost in case of user error or accidental damages.

“This Delair Takeoff program provides the ultimate in flexibility, predictability, and cost-effectiveness for customers who don’t want to lay out an upfront capital expense for a high-performance drone platform. Delair is providing a new level of accessibility for commercial drone users who need to incorporate highly precise and insightful aerial intelligence into their business operations,” said Chase Fly, Delair UX11 Product Manager.

The Delair UX11 is a state-of-the-art drone solution for highly precise and efficient mapping. It delivers integrated features for before, during and after flight operations, including an embedded global shutter camera, centimeter-level precision GNSS sensor, post processed kinematic (PPK) capabilities for survey-grade results, and both 2.4 GhZ wireless and 3G/4G cellular connectivity to operate anywhere. The drone’s operational performance allows flights of up to 59 minutes covering over 300 acres at 400 feet.

The Delair UX11 Ag model is custom-built for agriculture and vegetation management and provides high-grade multispectral data with PPK positioning which enables precise georeferencing for repeatable analysis of individual plants, a tremendous benefit for applications such as seed breeding, precision agriculture, or range management.

Delair UX11 users can also access delair.ai, a cloud-based platform that helps users manage, process, view, analyze and collaborate around aerial data. Delair’s industry-specific solutions provide the simplicity, security, and scalability that enterprises require to turn aerial data into business insights. and models as well as to use advanced analytics like verified stockpiles, haul roads, lidar classification and much more.

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NovAtel, a developer of high-precision GPS & GNSS positioning technologies for UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and unmanned systems, has released a case study highlighting Arcturus UAV, a manufacturer of fixed-wing systems designed for military applications such as ISR and electronic warfare. The case study was published in NovAtel’s annual Velocity magazine.

Download the full issue of NovAtel’s Velocity Magazine here

Industry analysts predict that much of the development focus of the rapidly expanding UAV market will be in fixed-wing military UAVs. Arcturus UAV manufactures and configures unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) including air vehicles, ground control stations and launch systems, and its team of experts integrate non-standard payloads.

NovAtel’s solutions provide accuracy, centimetre-level precision with Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) positioning, track Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) encrypted GPS signals and offer protection from spoofing attempts. While the specific GNSS receivers used by Arcturus are classified, one of NovAtel’s premium solutions is the OEM625S SAASM GNSS receiver, which can operate with NovAtel’s proprietary GPS Anti-Jam Technology (GAJT) antenna systems for added defense.

Arcturus’ JUMP 20 UAV is a Group 2 UAV with a typical maximum takeoff weight of 210 lbs, a max speed of 72 knots and a rated ceiling of 15,000 ft. Depending on payload and avionic fit out, fuel can be adjusted to deliver between 9 and 15 hours of endurance. The JUMP 20 aircraft can also be converted to perform a catapult launch with a simple wing change and uses a common autopilot and ground control station architecture.

The company are currently one of just three UAV manufacturers that have won a chance to compete for a share of a five-year $475 million contract to develop and deliver mid-endurance UAV and support surveillance services for the U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) at MacDill Air Force Base, FL.

To find out more about NovAtel’s GNSS solutions for military UAS, as well as Arcturus UAV, download the full issue of NovAtel’s Velocity Magazine.

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Researchers at Cranfield University have announced the development of a smartphone app which can connect with off-the-shelf unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and send them to autonomously inspect multiple locations using coordinates received by SMS text message.

Controlling drones in this way could be useful for a variety of applications in the future including the collection of crop health data in specific locations and searching for missing persons.

The goal of the CASCADE (Complex Autonomous Systems Configuration and Design Exploratory) project is to accelerate the exploitation of drones across a range of science and industry applications by automating control and facilitating communication between multiple drones so they can work on tasks together.

Alex Williamson, Experimental Research Fellow in UAV Operations in the Centre for Autonomous and Cyber-Physical Systems, Cranfield University, said: “Autonomy is a fundamental factor in increasing the ease of adoption of UAVs for many applications while reducing operational costs. Creating this smartphone app has demonstrated that UAVs can carry out complex tasks autonomously from simple instructions.

We are initially focusing on demonstrating the benefits that multiple autonomous UAV operations can have within a precision agriculture environment, but alternative use cases are being considered to enable quick spin-off adoption into other applications such as search and rescue.”

The app – designed for Android phones and to work with the majority of DJI drones – receives waypoints via SMS text message, compiles the mission and sends standard off-the-shelf (commercially available to the general public) drones on autonomous missions with no user intervention required. Safety features are included within the app to ensure the drone operates within legal requirements, and currently a safety pilot is required to keep the drone within line of sight throughout the mission.

Mission waypoints are defined by a separate higher level survey drone which processes data during flight and communicates to a ground control station. SMS messages are then sent by the ground station to the smartphones connected to the lower level UAVs with coordinates to fly to.

Adam Fleming, Chief Technical Officer of Apadmi, who worked with Cranfield to develop the app, said: “It was great to work with the Cranfield team on the CASCADE project – it’s a true innovation in orchestrated drone operation automation, and gave us the chance to explore the integration of mobile devices with drone control systems. We’re already thinking about next steps, such as how mobile devices could further reduce the need for on-site manpower and increase automation – we’re excited for where we can take this development.”

The app was successfully trialled during a week of testing at a CASCADE collaboration event at Snowdonia Airfield. Next steps in the project will focus on automating the control of multiple drones and technology development that allows UAV operations at extended and beyond visual line of sight.

Partners in the five-year Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (ESPRC)-funded CASCADE project are the University of Bristol, Cranfield University, Imperial College London, the University of Manchester and the University of Southampton. Other case studies of potential applications being investigated include wildlife surveys, traffic monitoring, environmental sampling and package and cargo delivery.

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DroneShield Ltd. has announced that it has released the DroneGun MKIII, following extensive development in response to end-user feedback. DroneGun MKIII is a portable pistol-shaped drone jammer, weighing under 2kg and designed to be used in one hand.

DroneGun MKIII is designed to be an additional product in the company’s lineup, rather than a replacement for its DroneGun Tactical unit, having a shorter effective range of 500m versus 1-2km for the DroneGun Tactical. It is able to disrupt multiple RF frequency bands simultaneously (433MHz, 915MHz, 2.4GHz & 5.8GHz), and also features optional GNSS disruption capablity (GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou, Galileo).

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DroneGun MKIII can also be used in combination with other DroneShield products, including the RfPatrol body-worn detection device and the DroneSentinel stationary multi-sensor detection system.

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Photo Credit: US Army

The U.S. Army has announced that its 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division (3/1 CD) has trialled a new prototype that complements electronic warfare systems to combat enemy drones. The trials took place at the Army’s Natonal Training Center in the Mojave Desert.

Using the Army’s enhanced cyber-enabled Counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) capability, Soldiers with the 3/1 CD were able to detect and counter common small drones during their training. The new prototype alerted Soldiers to the presence of a drone and provided a means to target it, for protection across the brigade.

This integration of cyber-enabled prototypes with existing signal, intelligence and electronic warfare capabilities allowed the Soldiers to fix on a target and engage their fires cell, said Capt. Christopher Packard, electronic warfare and cyber electromagnetic activities chief for the 3/1 CD.

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“That’s the goal right there, to reach the commander’s end state and to meet his intent for lethal targeting – those are some of the main concepts to focus on,” Packard said. “I think we’ve done well here, getting intelligence information as it’s passed…that we can use for targeting. I’m looking forward to seeing where this goes in the future.”

While the Army has a wide variety of solutions to counter drones, the new capability focused on bringing precision cyber techniques to bear as a complement to those other C-UAS systems. A small group of software developers within the U.S. Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER) and the Defense Digital Service custom-built software, developed a user-focused design and modified commercial off-the-shelf equipment to create pilot systems in early 2018.

Growing demand for a more robust and scalable solution generated a need for a rapid prototype. The Defense Digital Service completed the specialized software of the pilot system and transitioned development of a prototype to the Army Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO), which crafted an acquisition approach that integrated software and hardware. Working with Tobyhanna Army Depot and ARCYBER, RCCTO launched prototype production in November.

The integrated team delivered the new cyber C-UAS capability to the 3/1 CD in less than three months. The new system is an interim solution that will continue to evolve as the Army applies direct Soldier feedback to improving design and performance. The integrated team is incorporating feedback from the unit’s rotation at the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California, which took place Jan. 7-25, as they develop a phase two prototype, to be delivered later this summer.

“This effort allowed the 3/1 CD to receive valuable C-UAS training ahead of their upcoming mission set,” said Jack Dillon, RCCTO’s cyber lead. “It also provided critical feedback that we are already feeding into the next version.”

“The RCCTO and Tobyhanna helped out with taking it from an advanced prototype and turning it into an engineering design model,” said 1st Lt. Aneesh Patel, with ARCYBER’s Cyber Solutions Development Detachment – Georgia, 782nd Military Intelligence Battalion, 780th Military Intelligence Brigade. “We designed our own hardware and schematics, but what we didn’t have was the proper ability to scale, and I think that’s important in a bridging strategy and for any prototype.”

The ability to turn a concept into a small package of operational prototypes for use by a unit required a proper yet flexible acquisition strategy that would also set the foundation for increased production later. In turning a concept into an operational prototype, Tobyhanna had to put together a complete drawing package using items from the depot and create the prototype while keeping to strict quality standards.

“We must do everything per Army regulations,” said Joe Lynn, a project manager for Tobyhanna Army Depot, located in Pennsylvania. “So, once everyone came on-site and saw what we do here, and that we’re basically a one-stop shop from concept to combat, it brought a better understanding.”

The process also required constant communication. This came in the form of coordination on the ground during the NTC rotation with the unit’s electronic warfare Soldiers, and during biweekly technical and synchronization meetings involving Tobyhanna, ARCYBER, the Defense Digital Service and RCCTO. Tobyhanna also hosted multiple face-to-face meetings to expeditiously solve technical questions and challenges. On the project management end, RCCTO worked in parallel to address typical program, legal and budget reviews. Of particular note, in addition to constructing the prototype from an engineering concept, the RCCTO, ARCYBER and Tobyhanna put in place a training plan for the 3/1 CD.

This rapid approach unfolded on the ground at NTC, as Soldier input went directly to engineers on-site so that they could make changes quickly, sometimes within hours.

“Having that agility really made it possible to have mission success and also to get a lot of feedback to better the system,” Patel said. “Being a newer system and a new tool for a maneuver unit, there are going to be a lot of things we don’t know as [cyber] engineers, and a lot of their specific needs for the capability that may not have gotten through to us. So being out there was very important to this and any other project like it.”

For example, to enhance the overall training experience, RCCTO, Tobyhanna and ARCYBER were able to quickly design and deliver custom mounting systems consisting of cables, brackets and other hardware for vehicle and fixed-site implementation during the prototype deployment at NTC. This fixed-site configuration, part of the unit’s tactical operations center (TOC), was a new design put together days before the unit received it, and proved paramount to Soldiers’ effectiveness in using the system.

“We fielded a completely new configuration kit, the TOC kit,” said Capt. Adam Schinder, commander of the Expeditionary Cyber Support Detachment, 782nd Military Intelligence Battalion. “It was perhaps the most successful implementation of the C-UAS solution. As a result of being statically configured and continuously monitored and plugged in, the unit found the TOC kits extremely successful.”

During the 3/1 CD’s rotation, ARCYBER embedded five Soldiers with the NTC’s opposing force who had the ability to attack the unit with their own “enemy” drones, thus providing more realistic training.

“The system was able to give the supported unit situational awareness of drones that threatened the formation across a wide front,” Schinder said. “It alerted the unit to the presence of the drone, and then it provided automated force protection at the request of the operator. Simply put, we flew the drones, we deployed the devices and we successfully defeated the threat.”

This phase-one cyber precision drone detection system will be followed by an upgraded phase-two version slated for delivery to the U.S. Special Operations Command for an operational assessment this summer. Phase two will maximize the capability’s operational life span by incorporating multiple software updates to improve performance. Both efforts will begin to help inform the Army’s overall requirements for cyber-based C-UAS.

Already, RCCTO and ARCYBER are coordinating with partners in the C-UAS community to optimize investments and share technical cyber approaches. They are also advancing new versions that are software-based for easy portability into mounted and dismounted C-UAS platforms.

“Ultimately, the momentum gained through this partnership will increase cyber integration into equipping efforts within the multidomain operations paradigm,” Dillon said. “It’s a great example of the type of partnership that can produce meaningful operational prototypes while setting conditions for transition to programs of record.”

SOURCE: U.S. Army

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General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) has announced that it has marked the 25th anniversary of its Predator A unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Predator A completed its first flight in July 1994 and made its operational debut in 1995. More than 320 Predator A aircraft have been delivered to customers in support of global security throughout the world, and the product line remained in production until 2011. Predator A UAVs have flown close to 141,000 missions and over two million total flight hours. More than 90 percent of those hours were flown supporting combat missions.

“With innovation in mind, we have always looked for ways to challenge the industry standard,” said Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI. “Our Predator-series has evolved over the past 25 years into MQ-9 and Gray Eagle (MQ-1C), which are the most combat-proven RPA in the world.”

GA-ASI won its first major program award for the Predator A in 1994 from the U.S. Joint Program Office, which was later transferred to the U.S. Air Force. In addition to the U.S., the Predator A was purchased by the Italian Ministry of Defense for the Italian Air Force, and later in a modernized version known as the Predator XP for the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Predator A established GA-ASI’s legacy of delivering long-endurance, multi-mission RPA with integrated sensors and data link systems for persistent situational awareness and rapid strike capabilities. The Predator series continues to excel in combat environments and in performing civilian surveillance missions.

“We’re proud of our long and distinguished history of supporting the warfighter,” said David R. Alexander, president, GA-ASI. “From Predator A, to Predator B, Gray Eagle, Avenger, and their various mission configurations, our aircraft and payload systems continue to address changing mission requirements for U.S. and Allied militaries and civilian users.”

Over its 25 year history, the Predator series fleets have flown close to six million flight hours. GA-ASI is now developing the newest version of the series, MQ-9B SkyGuardian, which complies with airworthiness certification and air traffic management requirements that will enable the RPA to operate in the National Airspace System (NAS).

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