Volansi Inc. has launched a commercial healthcare drone delivery project in North Carolina. In collaboration with pharmaceutical company Merck, Volansi is testing the delivery of cold chain medicines from Merck's Wilson, North Carolina manufacturing site to Vidant Healthplex-Wilson, a Vidant Health clinic, as the first of three phases in a project to learn about how drone technology can improve access to healthcare.  Accessing care in Eastern North Carolina can be challenging because of its vast and rural environment. During initial flights in the project, the first drone delivery of temperature-controlled medicines within the U.S were made.

A patent-pending UAS that allows drones to be dispatched autonomously by 911 operators called FIRST iZ has announced a partnership with KnackForge to create control systems hardware and software for its FIRST Port drone port, as well as its launch ecosystem. Founded in 2011, KnackForge employs development teams across the world. Through this strategic partnership, KnackForge handles the details involved with safely and successfully launching a UAS from a smart hangar, or port, that keeps the UAS charged and ready to fly within seconds of a known need. This involves bringing together power and control hardware with software to remotely manage all scenarios that may occur.

Through a NASA contract with its UAS Test Site at Griffiss International Airport, Oneida County, New York has been awarded an $897,000 task order for Advanced Air Mobility development. To support high-density vertiport operations that allow for vertical take-off and landing aircraft, the county’s UAS test site, which is one of just seven sanctioned UAS test sites by the FAA in the U.S., will conduct research in automation technology for NASA. “Oneida County’s long-standing partnership with NASA has proven to be a productive one,” says Executive Anthony J. Picente Jr., who announced the award.

UAVOS’ UVH-170 unmanned helicopter recently showcased its value to mountainous areas operations by successfully conducting its first high altitude flight and reaching a height of 16,400 feet. During its flight, the UAS performed surveillance missions.