Indian Government issues draft rules for manufacturing and using drones

The Civil Aviation Ministry of India issued draft rules for manufacturing drones and using it in the country. As per the new policy authorized manufacturer or importer can sell its devices only to an individual or entity approved by the aviation regulator DGCA. The draft policy provides guidelines for those who wish to manufacture, operate and even import the UAVs which are classified as either Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems, Model Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems or Autonomous Unmanned Aircraft Systems.

As per new rules, drone importer, manufacturer, trader, owner and operator will need to take approval from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation. An authorized unmanned aircraft system importer or manufacturer must not sell a UAS to any person except an authorized trader or owner. DGCA will have the power to inspect a UAS manufacturing or maintenance facility before granting any authorization under these rules.

“No UAS shall operate in India unless there is in existence a valid third party insurance policy to cover the liability that may arise on account of a mishap involving such UAS,” the draft rules added. Only Nano class drones, which are less than 250 grams, will be allowed to operate in India in general, the draft rules stated, adding that only a “qualified remote pilot” will be permitted to operate heavier drones. https://economictimes.indiatimes.com

Chennai in India soon to become a drone manufacturing hub

Capital of Indian state Tamil Nadu, Chennai will soon become a drone manufacturing hub, enabling better pandemic and disaster responses using drones.

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, space scientists like Mylsamy Annadurai and senior officials of the state are exploring the possibility of turning Chennai into a drone manufacturing hub with support from institutions like Anna University and MIT. The draft Unmanned Aircraft System Rules, 2020 recently issued by the Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation, which seeks to relax the rules related to drone use, has made such a possibility more feasible. https://economictimes.indiatimes

Simple workflow for earthworks monitoring

Virtual Surveyor has introduced new functionality in Version 7.3 of its popular drone surveying software to create a simplified workflow for monitoring earthworks progress at construction sites. The productive workflow enables construction managers to quickly calculate cut-andfill changes over time for comparison with the earthworks design plan.

The software is a powerful construction monitoring tool designed to bridge the gap between UAV photogrammetric processing applications and engineering design packages. The software generates an interactive onscreen environment with drone orthophotos/DSMs and/or Lidar point clouds where the user can compare multiple drone surveys in a matter of seconds. www.virtual-surveyor.com

Microdrones enters into 3D

Microdrones offers fully integrated survey equipment systems for high wall mapping and 3D modeling applications.

mdMapper3000DμoG 3D aaS fills a niche where traditional manned aircraft 3D mapping can’t get close enough to the subject to get the exacting detail for highend 3D models or high wall mapping.

The newly released mdMapper3000DμoG Oblique aaS adds a fully integrated gimbal to the popular dual IMU direct georeferencing mdMapper3000Dμog system. This provides more opportunity to capture oblique imagery, helpful for high wall mapping and mining photogrammetry applications. www.microdrones.com

First authorization in Spain for flights BVLOS

SCR, a company of the everis Aerospace, Defense and Security group, has obtained the first authorization in Spain to perform flights beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) with drones of more than 2 kg of maximum take-off weight (MTOW).

The permission, which is indefinite, has been granted by the Spanish Aviation Safety and Security Agency (AESA.

The permission will especially facilitate the use of fixed-wing systems in operations where, until now, their use was limited to specific and restricted actions.

A leap forward in the sector. Until now, operations out of sight with drones of more than 2 kg were only allowed in experimental format, with the sole purpose of conducting proofs of concept or demonstrations. However, from now on SCR will be able to offer professional services continuously with platforms up to 25 kg. https://scrdrones.com

Testing autopilot against an anti drone system

UAV Navigation has ramped up its security measures by designing a very robust system from both hardware and software perspectives. The quality of the components and their special designs help mitigate the impact of certain highpower signals. For example, the hardware is certified to MIL-STD-810F and MILSTD- 461F. This proves that the system has been tested by an independent party that certifies its level of adequacy.

From a software point of view, it can resist interception due to two main reasons:the non-dependence of GNSS for critical system loops, which allows us to continue operating despite not being able to use GNSS and the multiple cross supervisory logics. Also, the UAV Navigation property ICD (Interface Control Document) that our system incorporates, allows the system to prevent, analyze, and detect any possible interference or system failure. This involves having multiple high-quality sensors (independent observers) on board and developing advanced estimation logics. Many manufacturers prefer the quickest and cheapest tactic and end up delegating too much logic to the GNSS. That makes the platform more vulnerable to attacks. www.uavnavigation.com

Drone-based confined space inspection services

Terra Inspectioneering, a group company of Japan-based Terra Drone Corporation, has been awarded a confined space inspection contract for the Netherlands and Belgium by Dutch multinational tank storage company Vopak.

Under the contract, Terra Inspectioneering will provide nonentry visual testing, ultrasonic thickness testing, and deformation analysis services to Vopak using the proprietary collision-proof Terra UT drone. The drone inspection services will be offered for the tanks owned and operated by Vopak at 11 sites across Belgium and the Netherlands. www.vopak.com

Dedrone and BlackBerry partnership

BlackBerry Limited has partnered with Dedrone, a market and technology leader in airspace security, to deliver advanced counter-drone technology to secure the world’s most critical sites. As part of this embedded technology partnership, Dedrone is integrating BlackBerry AtHoc software into its products to enable real-time secure alerts when a malicious or unauthorized drone is detected in an airspace.

The Dedrone technology portfolio combines machine-learning software with best-in-class hardware sensors, electronic attack methods like smart jamming, and defeat weapons to provide early warning, classification of, and mitigation against drone threats. www.dedrone.com