RPV

RPV

Schiebel's Camcopter S-100 monitoring ship emissions for French Maritime Authorities

Along with its partners Nordic Unmanned and the NORCE Research Institute AS, Schiebel is operating its Camcopter S-100 UAS to monitor ship emissions for French Maritime Authorities. Expected to run for three months, the operation began on Sept. 23.  The service providers for this French deployment cover ship sulphur emission monitoring in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes in the strait of Pas-de-Calais. Specifically, the Camcopter S-100 UAS measures the ships’ sulphur emissions to check compliance with the EU rules governing the sulphur content of marine fuels. Through the EMSA RPAS Data Centre, measurements are transmitted in real time to the relevant authorities.

Reliable Robotics completes successful test flights of remote-piloted passenger airplanes in U.S. airspace

Reliable Robotics, a company that is equipping airplanes with an autonomous capability,

Schiebel monitoring ship emissions in Danish waters using its Camcopter S-100 UAS

In collaboration with its partner Nordic Unmanned, Schiebel is using its Camcopter S-100 UAS to monitor ship emissions in Danish waters, in support of the Danish Maritime Authority (DMA) and the Danish Environmental Protection Agency (DEPA). The European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) is offering the Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) service. “After our successful sulphur sniffing demonstration in January, we’re proud to be EMSA’s chosen UAS for these important and complex operations,” says Hans Georg Schiebel, chairman of the Schiebel Group. “It goes to show, that the maritime experience and pedigree of the Camcopter S-100 is second to none.”

GA-ASI flies SkyGuardian RPA in NAS above Southern California as part of joint demo with NASA

As part of a joint flight demonstration with NASA, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA‑ASI) flew its SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) in the skies above Southern California on April 3. Since 2014, GA-ASI and NASA have worked together to prove the safety of flying large UAS in the National Airspace System (NAS). GA-ASI was selected to participate in NASA’s Systems Integration and Operationalization (SIO) activity, which includes multiple flight demonstrations that focus on different types of UAS and their respective flight environments.

The International Construction & Utility Equipment Exposition

The International Construction & Utility Equipment Exposition (ICUEE), also known as the Demo Expo is the utility industry's largest trade show, covering 28+ acres of indoor and outdoor exhibits (over 1,000 leading manufacturers & service providers), and bringing together more than 18,000 utility professionals every two years. It is the premier event for utility industry professionals to gain comprehensive insight into the latest technologies, innovations, and trends affecting their industry. 

EQ-4 Global Hawk at Al Dhafra Air Base equipped with beyond line of sight capability

The EQ-4 Global Hawk flying missions from Al Dhafra Air Base (ADAB) can now operate beyond line of sight (BLOS), the Air Force has announced. Previously, the remotely piloted aircraft required coordination with other bases to control it while in the air, but now this can be done locally. “The BLOS plays a major role because it allows us to fly the jet farther than any Launch and Recovery Element could ever before, utilizing Satellite communication as its main link rather than a Line Of Sight link,” says Senior Airman Seth Oatridge, 380th Expeditionary Aircraft Maintenance Squadron ground communication technician.

Hughes Network Systems begins shipment of HM400 SATCOM modems for GA-ASI's MQ-9B SkyGuardian

Broadband satellite networks and services provider Hughes Network Systems LLC has begun shipping its specialized, multiband HM400 SATCOM modems to General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI). The HM400 SATCOM modems will be used to power beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) communications for GA-ASI’s MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). According to Hughes, its specialized Hughes HM400 delivers enhanced satellite-based communications for RPA’s, as it leverages an open system architecture and software-definable modem and waveform technology. The Hughes HM400 modems support both military and commercial satellite frequencies, opening up applications such as search and rescue or disaster response for Predator-variant aircraft. 

Leonardo's Falco EVO Remotely-Piloted Air System being tested as part of Frontex surveillance research program

As part of the Frontex surveillance research program, Leonardo’s Falco EVO Remotely-Piloted Air System (RPAS), in a maritime patrol configuration, has been deployed from Lampedusa airport (Lampedusa Island) to test its ability to monitor the external borders of the European Union. Frontex is looking into the surveillance capability of medium-altitude, long-endurance RPAS, while also evaluating the cost efficiency and endurance of these systems. ​The European agency selected Leonardo under a “service contract tender for drone operations” for maritime surveillance across the Italian and Maltese civil airspace. While the current agreement provides for 300 flight hours, it may be extended into a longer-term agreement. 

GA-ASI completes first flight of its second MQ-9B SkyGuardian RPA

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has announced that on Sept. 26, the second MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) (YBC02) aircraft completed its first flight. The flight was conducted in Arizona at Laguna Army Airfield in Yuma Proving Grounds. “We’re very pleased to have our second MQ-9B aircraft completed and flying,” says David R. Alexander, president, Aircraft Systems, GA-ASI. “MQ-9B development continues to move forward on schedule as we look forward to our first customer delivery in the early 2020s.” With the second MQ-9B SkyGuardian, the GA-ASI program team has another aircraft to perform crucial development testing and demonstrations.

GA-ASI's new Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability demonstrated on MQ-9 Block 5 RPA

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) has announced that the U.S. Air Force (USAF) completed the first-ever automated landing of an MQ-9 Block 5 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) on Aug. 7, which was followed a few days later by the first auto-takeoff on Aug. 9. GA-ASI says that it developed the new Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC) to “enhance mission capability.” “This new, all-weather capability greatly increases the autonomy, flexibility, combat effectiveness and safety of the MQ-9 Reaper for the USAF,” explains David R. Alexander, president, Aircraft Systems, GA-ASI.

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