UAV

Kalashnikov gunmaker creates satellite navigation signal suppressing system for drones

ZALA AERO, part of the Kalashnikov Group, has demonstrated a new device of satellite navigation signal suppression for UAVs.

The compact module is placed under an unmanned aerial vehicle’s wing and suppresses the signal of satellite navigation systems within a radius of up to 5km, and also blocks the operation of all devices that use satellite navigational systems for navigation.

The satellite navigation signal suppressing system has been developed for Special Operations forces. The system can be used to neutralize an enemy’s equipment that may pose a threat to defended facilities.

The new system will expand the range of electronic warfare devices developed by ZALA. It comprises the REX-1 antidrone rifle and the ZONT man-portable device. The new satellite navigation signal suppressing system has undergone successful trials and proven its efficiency. http://tass.com/defense/1027589

DJI Rolls out Phantom 4 RTK Surveying Drone

DJI has announced the global rollout of the Phantom 4 RTK, a high-precision drone designed for surveying, mapping and inspection. According to DJI, a realtime kinematic (RTK) module is integrated directly into the drone, providing realtime, centimeter-level positioning data.

The RTK module can provide positioning accuracy of 1cm+1ppm (horizontal) and 1.5cm+1ppm (vertical). In addition, the drone can get 5-centimeter absolute horizontal accuracy of photogrammetric models, says DJI.

DroneShield Launches DroneNode Drone Security Device

DroneShield Ltd. has announced the launch of the additional product DroneNode, in response to end-user requirements. It is an evolution of the company’s existing Drone Cannon product, a portable, compact and inconspicuous counterdrone jamming device which can be utilized at large outdoor events by law enforcement without raising public concern. This product is particularly relevant given the recent drone attacks, heightening the awareness of law enforcement globally to potential threats to high profile political targets. www.suas-global.com

FAA expands restrictions on drones near high-priority Navy bases

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is expanding its efforts to keep drones from operating near high-priority Navy bases.

Drones will be required to maintain a distance of at least 3,000 feet laterally and 1,000 feet vertically from vessels operating in the vicinity of Naval Base Kitsap in Washington and Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay in Georgia.

The new regulation comes at the request of the Department of Defense and the U.S. Coast Guard, which have expressed concerns about drone overflights near sensitive locations for years. A separate FAA notice issued advises to drone operators to remain clear of DoD and Department of Energy facilities, mobile assets, and Coast Guard vessels nationwide. https://abcnews.go.com

Skycatch Edge1 now available worldwide

Skycatch has announced the first-ofits- class, on-premise data processing and GNSS base station, the Skycatch Edge1. Tested and optimized for the Skycatch Explore1 and DJI Phantom 4 RTK drones, the self-positioning Edge1 allows commercial drone users the ability to process and receive data without the need for internet or cellular connectivity. www.skycatch.com

PAE ISR Partners with NASA for 2020 Unmanned Aircraft Demo

PAE ISR, LLC, the original equipment manufacturer of the Resolute Eagle, signed a cooperative agreement with NASA to conduct a demonstration in the National Airspace System in 2020 and work toward full integration of unmanned aerial systems into the NAS.

The Resolute Eagle platform has the range and endurance to provide line of sight, beyond visual line of sight, and satellite communications-based beyond line of sight operating capabilities, enabling it to support a wide range of military, law enforcement, homeland security, humanitarian, and commercial missions.

The single, reconfigurable aircraft comes in two configurations—standard and vertical take-off and landing—with a flight endurance of 12 to 18+ hours depending on configuration. PAEISR.com.

FLIR announces DroneSense- FLIR Edition

FLIR announced the new DroneSense-FLIR Edition. This drone flight management software platform, designed for public safety applications, is the first collaborative product to result from a recent strategic investment in DroneSense. FLIR invested in the Austin, Texas-based unmanned aircraft system (UAS) software developer in April 2018. It is the only software platform to combine thermal and visual imaging processing with flight data planning and management capabilities, with the goal of improving incident and routine nonemergency response management for public safety organizations. FLIR.com/DroneSense.

EU ‘GLAD-2’ develop lowcost nav for UAVs

A European Union-funded initiative has developed a low-cost positioning and navigation system for unmanned aerial systems (UAS).

Using multiple antennas, the device is based on off-the-shelf components and advanced data-fusion algorithms. It fuses GNSS and inertial data to enable accurate and reliable navigation. The EU-funded Horizon 2020 GLAD-2 project developed the system. The work involved in-depth analysis of algorithms, hardware and software redesign, exhaustive refinement and repeated in-field testing.

Researchers used low-cost GNSS receivers, together with advanced data fusion with an inertial measurement unit, and barometer data to enhance the attitude and position of UAS in harsh GNSS environments. The system also avoided the use of magnetometers, making it immune to magnetic fields, and removing the need for system calibration when the magnetic environment is modified.

Engineers selected different GNSS antennas and measured their performance according to technical and economic criteria. A multiantenna approach enabled UAS to take accurate headings without suffering the usual problems inherent to magnetometers.

Skyfish unveils on-board computing module

UAV technology developer Skyfish has introduced the company’s computing platform for commercial drones that fully automates crucial infrastructure inspection and measurement tasks for the first time, giving drone service, communication infrastructure, and energy providers unrivalled performance and accuracy. www.skyfish.ai/

Drone Delivery Canada Integrates into Controlled Airspace

DDC’s BVLOS Pilot Project commenced on September 17, 2018 and was completed on September 28, 2018. The Pilot Project flight operations were conducted in both day time and evenings on a set of approved flight paths. Throughout the Pilot Project, DDC worked closely with Transport Canada and NAV CANADA to ensure safety while also demonstrating the efficiency and efficacy of its Sparrow drone as well as its proprietary FLYTE management system. DDC is pleased to report that no flight safety incidents occurred, and each mission was completed successfully.

DDC’s Sparrow X1000 cargo drone and DDC’s proprietary FLYTE management system successfully delivered medical supplies, dry blood spots kits for HIV, Hepatitis C and general blood chemistry testing, as well as food, automotive parts and general parcels for many of DDC’s customers which were present for the Pilot Project. These flights were conducted both to and from Moosonee and Moose Factory. www.dronedeliverycanada.com

Unifly and Terra Drone co-develop UTM system with Hitachi

Hitachi has launched a drone platform solution expanding their existing infrastructure inspection services portfolio with an AI-assisted, drone-based service. Moving from pilot controlled flights to automated drone flights Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) is key to realizing the full potential of these drone applications. To that end, Hitachi provides a drone flight management system and drone maintenance services to support safe and secure autonomous drone flights.

In August 2018, Hitachi was awarded the contract for the development of the “Fukushima Robot Test Field” drone flight management system. The “Fukushima Robot Test Field” is the only test center with a drone operations management function at the Japanese large-scale demonstration laboratory. The goal of the test center is to further advance BVLOS drone flights.

Unifly and Terra Drone provide the technical UTM backbone to ensure safe BVLOS drone flights at the test center.

MSAB and URSA introduce XRY Drone XRY Drone

lets investigators extract and analyze data from popular drone models being used for illegal activity – to reveal flight paths, origin, behavior and other critical information that can identify operators. Police, corrections agencies, border control and military organizations around the globe are developing methods to counter the growing threat from drones. When a drone engaged in illegal activity is recovered, investigators need to extract, decode and view the data – to get actionable intelligence that can help lead them to the operators and organizers. www.msab.com