Regulations
CASA Approves AirMap Drone Safety App in Australia
“We believe that operators should have a choice in selecting the drone safety app that best meets their needs,”
The Editor
Commercial
KDDI and LG Uplus to Launch CIRC's Drone G6.0 and Smart-Drone Platform in Japan and South Korea
In summer 2020, KDDI Corporation and LG Uplus will launch Coretronic Intelligent Robotics Corporation's G6.0, a drone compatible with smart drone platforms, in Japan and South Korea. The three companies signed an operational partnership agreement on March 25, 2020. Going forward, the three companies aim to expand
Research
ESA Funds Safe Drone Navigation Project
The European Space Agency (ESA) has funded Ampyx Power, developer of a next-generation wind energy technology, and Omnisense, developer of locating and tracking solutions, to develop a robust fail-safe navigation system. The positioning solution will be used for automated take-off and landing of Ampyx Power’s wind energy aircraft when
Video
Dornier 335 - Hitler's Steel Arrow
One of WWII's strangest aircraft was also one of its best. The Dornier Do 335 Pfeil ("Arrow") was a Nazi Germany World War II heavy fighter built by the Dornier company. The two-seater trainer version was called Ameisenbär ("anteater"). The Pfeil's performance
Military
Near Earth's Autonomous Resupply for US Military
The Pittsburgh-based company, Near Earth Autonomy (Near Earth) has developed unmanned aerial contingency management systems as part of a Joint Capabilities Technology (JCTD) Unmanned Logistics Systems Aerial (ULS-A) Demonstration. Near Earth’s technology offers obstacle avoidance for safe flight and landing enabling reliable cargo delivery in dynamic environments. Autonomous resupply
UAM/UTM
Stealth Air Taxi Startup Drives Up Cost of UAM Engineers
A stealth-mode startup working on electric aircraft is luring engineering talent away from other urban air mobility (UAM) companies with higher salaries, according to sources within the industry. Santa Clara-based Archer Aviation, founded by Adam Goldstein and Brett Adcock, are driving up the price of experienced urban air mobility engineers
Events
Starburst Aerospace Accelerator’s Selection Committee Virtual Event
Skyways Autonomous Mission A group of entrepreneurs presented their nascent products and discoveries during a virtual pitch meeting on April 8 held as part of Starburst Aerospace Accelerator’s latest Selection Committee event. Headquartered in Paris, Starburst's U.S. team brought in 10 hopeful companies, all vying for
Regulations
Kenya Finally Approves Drone Operations
The Civil Aviation (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Regulations, 2019 Act has been approved, meaning that Kenyans can now buy and operate drones without fear or breaking the law. This development is critical for businesses and individuals that use the flying devices for a variety of functions such as photography and general
Commercial
New Drone with Echo Sounder for Bathymetry
SPH Engineering, based in Riga, Latvia, has just announced a bathymetric drone solution. The drone makes bathymetric surveys 10 times faster and 2 times more cost-efficient compared with a standard approach using a ship, a boat or an unmanned surface vehicle. It is easy to transport deploy and has the
Regulations
FAA Continues Drone Integration Initiatives
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced two new participants for the unmanned aircraft Traffic Management Pilot Program (UPP). The FAA’s NextGen program selected Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership in Blacksburg, Va., and Griffiss International Airport in Rome, N.Y., as test site participants for Phase 2 of the
Regulations
EASA Publishes First Rules for Safe Drone Operations in Europe’s Cities
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has published the first view worldwide on the use and control of drones in an urban environment, balancing the desire to maximise the commercial and convenience benefits of drones against the need to ensure the safety and privacy of citizens and the potential
Military
First Candidate for US Army’s Future Tactical Drone gets First Soldier-Operated Flight
The first candidate in the running to replace the U.S. Army’s RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aircraft system had its first soldier-operated flight in an April 7 capabilities assessment. The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division flew the Arcturus UAV JUMP 20 at Fort Riley, Kansas. It was