India notifies Unmanned Aircraft System Rules, 2021

The Indian Government on 14 March notified the Unmanned Aircraft System Rules, 2021. These rules will apply to Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) registered in India, wherever they may be or possessing or engaged in exporting, importing manufacturing, trading, leasing, operating, transferring or maintaining an Unmanned Aircraft System in India or all UAS for the time being in or over India.

The rules categorizes unmanned aircraft system into three categories: aeroplane, rotorcraft and hybrid unmanned aircraft system. They are also classified based upon the maximum all up weight including its pay load.

The rules also provide that a person shall be eligible to grant authorization as importer, manufacturer, trader, owner or operator, if that person is a citizen of India, 18 years of age or above. In case of company or a body corporate provided that it is a registered entity and has its principal place of business within India and the Chairman and at least two-thirds of its directors are citizens of individuals or a local authority or any legal entity has its principal place of business with India, whether incorporated or not, Central Government and State Government or agency thereof. The rules also define the roles and responsibilities of UAS wherein the operator is responsible for functioning of safe operations of UAS. www.livelaw.in

FAA announces effective dates for final drone rules

The final rules requiring remote identification of drones and allowing some flights over people, over moving vehicles and at night under certain conditions will go into effect on April 21, 2021. Remote identification (Remote ID) requires identification of drones in flight as well as the location of their control stations or takeoff point. It provides crucial information to our national security and law enforcement partners, and other officials charged with ensuring public safety. Airspace awareness reduces the risk of drone interference with other aircraft, people and property on the ground.

The Operations Over People rule applies to pilots who fly under Part 107 of the Federal Aviation Regulations. The ability to fly over people and over moving vehicles varies depending on the level of risk a small drone operation presents to people on the ground. The rule allows operations based on four categories, which can be found in the rule’s Executive Summary (PDF). Additionally, this rule allows operations at night under certain conditions. Prior to flying under the new provisions, a remote pilot must pass the updated initial knowledge test or complete the appropriate updated online training course, which will be available on April 6, 2021.

Part 107 currently prohibits drone operations over people, over moving vehicles and at night unless the operator obtains a waiver from the FAA. The new FAA regulations jointly provide increased flexibility to conduct certain small drone operations without obtaining a waiver. www.faa.gov

New Drone Surveillance System for Canadian Coast Guard

Kongsberg Geospatial has been selected by Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) to conduct trials of a new long-endurance UAV surveillance system for the Canadian Coast Guard. The MartinUAV V-BAT aircraft was selected to provide the unique ability to combine take off and landing from the small confines aboard ship with the long endurance of a fixed-wing aircraft while carrying multiple sensors.

The aircraft will communicate with the Kongsberg Geospatial sensor data management system, called MIDAS, which allows a range of sensor data, including full-motion video from unmanned systems to be processed and exploited in near real-time by analysts on board Canadian Coast Guard ships. CINTIQS Military Technology Consulting will be providing consulting services for the planning and conduct of the flight trials and sensor employment to validate systems performance. https://kongsberggeospatial.com

Flytrex secures $9.3M

Flytrex, an on-demand drone delivery for food and retail company, has announced the closing of an $8 million financing led by existing investors Benhamou Global Ventures (BGV) and btov. The financing complements a recently awarded grant from the Israel Innovation Authority for a total of $9.3 million. The investment comes in the wake of several significant milestones for the on-demand drone delivery company. In September 2020, a benchmark pilot project between Flytrex and Walmart was announced to deliver select grocery and household essential items from Walmart stores in Fayetteville, North Carolina using Flytrex’s autonomous drone delivery service. www.flytrex.com

Delta Drone and Doosan Mobility signs OEM integration deal

Delta Drone International’s safety specialist brand, ParaZero, has signed its largest multinational OEM (original equipment manufacturer) integration deal with industrial equipment world-leader, Doosan Mobility Innovation (DMI). The agreement will see ParaZero integrate its patented SafeAir parachute technology with Doosan’s award-winning DS30 endurance drone. www.deltadrone.com

AMAALA signs MoU with the SAFCSP

AMAALA, the ultra-luxury development located along Saudi Arabia’s north western coast, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Saudi Federation for Cyber Security, Programming and Drones (SAFCSP). The signing will pave the way for the adoption of innovative and emerging technologies within the fields of drones, programming, and artificial Intelligence at AMAALA and marks a significant step in the development of electronic services software, and the enhancement of cybersecurity knowledge. www.amaala.com

New Era in UAS Tactical Mapping, Aerial Intelligence

senseFly has announced a new distribution partnership with North Carolina USA, based Tough Stump Technologies. The partnership is designed to help professionals and organizations in the defense and governmental sectors with the collection and analysis of aerial intelligence and tactical mapping data using advanced UAS (drones). www.toughstump.com

DJI Announces FPV Drone and Motion Controller

B&H is excited to announce the DJI FPV, a revolutionary hybrid drone that combines the thrilling experience of lowlatency FPV flying with prosumer-grade image-capture technology, including the ability to shoot hi-res stills and 4K video. It is equipped a low-latency video transmission system that will allow pilots to experience the thrills of being “inside” the cockpit while flying at speeds of up to 87 MPH. www.bhphotovideo.com

INPEX-Terra Drone Intelligent Drone Plan

Terra Drone and INPEX jointly have announced a capital tie-up and the launch of the INPEX-Terra Drone Intelligent Drone Plan. Terra Drone is an air mobility startup with technical expertise in automated flight and operational management of air mobility solutions including drones and flying automobiles.

Terra Drone and INPEX have until now collaborated on various initiatives regarding the inspection equipment in the field of crude oil development and production. Through the Plan, they will seek to promote the digital transformation and support the sustainable growth of the oil and natural gas industry in Japan and around the world and contribute to enhancing the presence of Japan. www.terra-drone.net/global