AI
The U.S. Air Force now has the capability to use facial recognition on drones that could target specific people. Special operations forces can use the drones to gather intelligence and to aid in other missions, according to a contract first spotted by New Scientist. It’s part of a
Patents
“When a company wants to start commercialising drone technology, the patent landscape can be thought of as a minefield.”Drone technology has taken to the skies over the past twenty years in multiple areas—from applications to the military. It seems like everyone wants their piece of the skies including
Testing
China has successfully demonstrated take-off and landing operations of its Y-5U utility and transport unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The Y-5U is an unmanned version of the Shijiazhuang Aircraft Industry Company Y-5B biplane transport aircraft. In a statement on its English-language website in March, the Aviation
VTOL
Kaman Corporation and PHI Aviation LLC announced at the 2023 HAI Heli-Expo that Kaman’s subsidiary, Kaman Aerospace Corporation (“Kaman”) and PHI have entered into a master commercial agreement for the promotion, sales and support of a commercial version of Kaman’s KARGO UAV unmanned aerial system, including collaboration
South Korea's military plans to launch a comprehensive drone operations unit in July as part of its efforts to bolster its counter-unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) capabilities following North Korea's drone incursions late last year. According to officials Wednesday, the military is accelerating its efforts to
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. is pleased to continue supporting the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) LongShot program. LongShot changes the paradigm of air combat operations by demonstrating an unmanned air-launched vehicle capable of employing air-to-air weapons. Current air superiority concepts rely on advanced manned fighter
Military
Elbit Systems has received and order for its 120th Hermes 900 Medium-Range Long-Altitude (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The family of the Hermes 900 multi-role MALE UAV is Elbit Systems' largest unmanned aerial vehicle and is capable of performing a wide range of missions including persistent
Business
Utilising AI and drones, Perceptual Robotics provides autonomous wind turbine inspections across the UK and Europe. The company has now secured a brand-new deal with leading south-east Asian organisation, K2 Energy Group which has purchased its own Dhalion drone as a first of its kind for the region.
BVLOS
Swiss drone manufacturer RigiTech becomes the first to operate a full BVLOS (Beyond-Visual-Line-of-Sight) route and makes drone delivery a reality in France. Starting with their first approved route linking Bourgoin-Jallieu to Tignieu-Jameyzieu, RigiTech has begun daily flights between laboratories, using its long-range drone,
Inspections
The Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) and Netherlands Coast Guard are deploying drones to check lashings on board container ships. In 2022, 44 container ships were checked in this new way. Violations were found on eleven ships. To inspect container ships at sea, an ILT drone team sails
Business
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has announced a new contract with U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) to provide three MQ-9B SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft systems to its first U.S. customer. AFSOC’s acquisition of MQ-9B builds on more than 20 years as a GA-
Law Enforcement
Through a contract worth as much as £1 billion ($1.2 billion), Tekever’s drones provide live-streamed video footage that helps law enforcement distinguish between passengers and traffickers. This has, according to the Home Office, led to “dozens of” convictions of smugglers. Three years on and the Home Office