Launchers
DroneRafts LLC has developed the Patent Pending WaterStrider which bridges the gap between land and water; allowing operators to take their UAV wherever they want to go and liberating them from the concern of where to land. WaterStrider is a multi-terrain landing gear system for unmanned aircraft. Designed to fit
Training
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has announced two contracts in support of GA-ASI’s new RPA Training Academy in Grand Forks, North Dakota. GA-ASI will collaborate with the UND Aerospace Foundation located at the University of North Dakota (UND) to support UND Aerospace in expanding the use of RPA for
News
NovAtel’s compact GAJT anti-jam antenna is now on-board Schiebel’s revolutionary CAMCOPTER S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS). Schiebel, the Vienna-based manufacturer focused on the development, testing and production of the state-of-the-art CAMCOPTER S-100UAS, as well as innovative mine detection equipment, is a long-time customer of NovAtel’s high precision
Business
Crop-spraying specialist Air Tractor, Inc. has announced its expansion into the field of unmanned aerial systems. The recent acquisition of Hangar 78 UAV, and its flagship aircraft, the Yield Defender unmanned aerial system (UAS) will create the foundation of Air Tractor’s development and visionary integration of unmanned technology to
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The Federal Aviation Administration has responded to Disney’s request for an exemption under Section 333, permitting the company’s use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for theme park entertainment. After a period of time soliciting comments from the public — 12 in all, most decidedly against granting Disney the exemption
Propulsion
Drones are already making headlines about how they can dramatically cut costs for one-off inspections. Replacing $2000/hr helicopter surveys, accessing hard to reach areas, inspecting hazardous locations or rapidly surveying large areas have all provided huge time and cost savings through the use of drones. However, the cost of
Military
The Portuguese Ministry of National Defence (MND) has authorised the country's army to launch a procurement programme for tactical mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). This long-expected wish by the army will allow it to provide intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) capability to its battalion-sized units. The aim
News
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) is testing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly referred to as drones, to enhance the safety and reliability of its electric and gas service. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has authorized PG&E to use drones to assist with inspections of electric
Research
Scientists from Duke University and the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill have undertaken a research program exploring the potential for drones to detect bonnethead sharks lurking in the shallows. The project is designed to test out exactly how reliable this approach could be when dealing with different water conditions and
VTOL
Ten years after the first delivery of CAMCOPTER S-100 to the launch customer, the Vienna-based Schiebel company proudly celebrates the anniversary of its world class product. Unmanned helicopter development at Schiebel started in 1995 and once the first CAMCOPTER S-100 was supplied to the UAE Armed Forces in 2006, it
News
DroneDeploy, a cloud software platform for commercial drones, is making powerful aerial data accessible and productive for everyone with the new release of its fully integrated, free iOS and Android app, to deliver a more seamless and engaging drone mapping experience. Now anyone with the latest drones from DJI, the
News
U.S.-based Wyvern has advised business aviation on safety best practices for more than two decades. It also now assesses vendor compliance with quality- and safety-management practices for end users of UAV services. “They want to know when they’re going out and sourcing these vendors—do they meet