The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has proposed a major financial penalty against a U.S. retailer for the marketing of transmitters used in connection with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs, or drones) that failed to comply with FCC rules and regulations. In a Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture,
SkySkopes, an unmanned aircraft operator based in North Dakota, has devised a new way to string power lines using drones. Their multi-step process uses an unmanned drone to pull a lightweight rope. This initial lead line pulls a heavier metal cable, and finally the cable pulls the much heavier
Military
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) announced that the Guardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) has concluded the first large-scale demonstration flights in Japan. The demonstration flights, which took place from 10 - 23 May were intended to promote the civil and scientific applications of the RPA. "We thank
Commercial
Scientific study of the evolution of the southern end of the San Andreas Fault is of vital importance given the earthquake-prone nature of southern California. Mapping fault zones and land surface changes that resulted from previous earthquakes can deepen the understanding of hazards posed by the fault, including the
C-UAS
A radar shield to detect low-flying targets, such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), has been put into operation above all major Russian cities, a senior Russian military official has told TASS. "At present, we have a low-altitude radar field in operation above all major Russian cities,"
Accidents
An Israeli drone crashed in Syrian territory Tuesday evening, as troops loyal to Syrian President Bashar Assad prepared an assault on the rebel-held Quneitra and Daraa. The cause of the Skylark tactical surveillance drone’s fall was not clear, though Syrian sources near Quneitra claim the UAV was shot
Commercial
With bee populations continuing to decline, farmers, conservationists, and technologists alike are busy searching for a solution to help carry out pollination. A New York-based company recently lent a high-tech hand to assist a local apple orchard pollinate its 300 acres of tasty crops. The Beak & Skiff
Business
Insitu has received a first-of-its kind contract from the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) to provide fire suppression services within the contiguous 48 states and Alaska using its ScanEagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). Per the contract, Insitu will support manned aerial operations Including fire suppression, search
Business
The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has awarded LiquidPiston Inc., an advanced internal combustion engine technology company, an additional $2.5 million to continue development of its 30kW X4 rotary diesel engine prototype, bringing DARPA’s total funding of the engine technology to $6M. LiquidPiston received this
Electronic Sub-Systems
Researchers at MIT, who last year designed a tiny computer chip tailored to help honeybee-sized drones navigate, have now shrunk their chip design even further, in both size and power consumption. The team, co-led by Vivienne Sze, associate professor in MIT's Department of Electrical Engineering and
Video
Model: Big Monster (HJK Speedwings) Speed: 500 Kmh / 308 Mph Engine: Strecker ESC: HV ??? Prop: 12" x 25" Centerpiece: ??? Accu: LiPo 16s Take-off weight: ??? Pilot: Dr. Walter Flögel Event: HJK Speed Day in Mettenheim Germany June 2018 Source: YouTube
Military
The US Marine Corps has shelved several new, small drones – at least temporarily – amid a Pentagon ban and assessment on the cybersecurity of commercial, off-the-shelf, unmanned aerial systems, a service spokesman told USNI News. The USMC has been forced to ground COTS, it has been fielding to infantry