ISR

Indian Army gets reday for ‘swarm’ drone attacks

Indian Defence News – 18.01.2021 – The Indian Army has enhanced its drone capabilities, inducting 75 indigenous unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that can also be used for combat missions to target enemy positions. The combat drones that were part of the ‘swarm technology’ display at the Army Day Parade on January 15 have been inducted in phases since August 2020, boosting army’s surveillance capabilities and also bringing in an element of surprise to carry out targeted strikes to assist troops on the ground.  Initially, only five of these drones were bought in August 2020 but in the last few months, as tensions escalated with China in Ladakh and spiking ceasefire violations by Pakistan at the Line of Control (LoC), more of these were purchased, officials said… lire l’article

Drone tactique

MBDA uses micro-drone as a spotter for its anti-tank missile

Defense News – 21.01.2021 – PARIS – European missile group MBDA has successfully hit a test target with its new anti-tank missile, the MMP, using targeting information gathered by a micro-drone, the company said. The test, undertaken at the Canjuers army testing ground in the south of France, was designed to represent an engagement “beyond line of sight” in the framework of the €6.5 million ($7.9 million) trinational (France, Belgium, Cyprus) LynkEUs program of the European Union… lire l’article

Turquie : le premier drone armé national ’Songar’ intégré dans un blindé

Nouvelles d’Arménie Magazine – 20.01.2021 – Le « premier drone armé national » à entrer dans l’inventaire des forces armées turques, Songar, a été intégré pour la première fois dans un véhicule terrestre blindé. Ainsi, Songar aura la possibilité de localiser des cibles dans l’air et d’effectuer des opérations armées à distance grâce au système de drones armés. Fonctionnant efficacement jour et nuit dans toutes sortes d’opérations militaires et de sécurité. lire l’article

Increasing Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Coverage with Automated Wireless Recharging of Small Tactical UAVs

Soldier Systems – 20.01.2021  -The U.S. departments of Defense and Homeland Security will spend billions of dollars over the next few years on unmanned aerial and ground vehicles (UAVs) and sensor systems. The U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps will make greater use of Class I mini/micro vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAVs to provide tactical intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR)… lire l’article

Brigantes Presents – The Loki 2 Drone from Sky Hero

Soldier Systems – 20.01.2021 – The Loki Mk2 is an operational support tool offering dependable methods of analysis and diffusion of videos. With extreme performance in most light conditions the camera allows users to track and anticipate target movements enabling reliable and rapid situational awareness for precise decision making… lire l’article

Surveillance de la faune maritime

Canada buys a search and rescue drone to save whales

DroneDJ – 19.01.2021 – Canada has chosen to purchase an Elbit Systems Hermes 900 search and rescue drone to monitor the endangered whale population along the east and west coasts of the country and the Arctic as a part of the Canadian National Aerial Surveillance Program.  Canadian Transport Minister Marc Garneau shared that the agency will be acquiring the Hermes 900 drone to protect Canada’s endangered species and the environment. The North Atlantic right whale is at the center of the drone purchase, as there is currently an estimated fewer than 366 in the North Atlantic. Scientists already think it is extinct in the eastern section of the Atlantic… lire l’article

Drone captif

Zenith Aerotech mounts radar, networking radio, and EO/IR camera on small, tethered drone

sUAS News – 19.01.2021 – Integration demonstrates versatility of long-endurance, heavy-lift, readily deployable Quad 8. AFTON, VA: — Zenith AeroTech announced today that it has integrated an advanced flight radar, gimbaled EO/IR camera, and mobile ad hoc networking radio on the company’s Quad 8 tethered mid-range, unmanned aircraft system (sUAS). The engineering work, which was done at the behest of an unnamed Federal customer, demonstrates how
the long-endurance, tethered sUAS can support force protection and early warning missions. Able to fly at 400 feet AGL for hours—and even days—at a time, the tethered Quad 8 draws power from an easily transportable ground power unit. Zenith Aerotech’s sUAS line, can carry a variety of payloads, from 10 to 24 lbs. Until now, the company has never flown this combination of advanced sensor and communications equipment on the Quad 8… lire l’article

Anti-drone

Ukrainian startup develops low-cost drone interceptor

Defence Blog – 21.01.2021 – Kyiv-based startup developing low-cost counter-drone technologies to create an unmanned aircraft system to track a target in flight and plot a kinetic impact.The startup plans to counter the increasing dangers presented by adversaries’ small, unmanned aircraft systems, or sUAS, with the kinetic method. Its system consists special drone that takes out other drones by attacking them mid-air. According to the startup, after launch on the first step of its flight, the drone interceptor lifts to the target altitude and after this go into a horizontal flight to achieve a maximal speed of the interception… lire l’article

US military seeks technologies to reduce collateral damage in C-UAS intercepts

Unmanned Aisrpace – 20.01.2021 – The US Joint C-sUAS Office (JCO) intends to conduct a series of semi-annual JCO events, with the first demonstration event focused on Low Collateral Interceptors. The JCO is seeking whitepapers to identify sources with the ability to provide Low Collateral Interceptor capabilities for a hardware demonstration at Yuma Proving Ground (YPG) in April 2021. The Low Collateral Effects Interceptor demonstration event is intended to find solutions to defeat small UASs in an environment that requires minimal collateral damage to the surrounding environment or personnel.  Specific, but not limited, uses would include defeating small UAS in urban environments, over sensitive sites, or situations where the rules of engagement would not allow kinetic effects. The Government will endeavor to complete the Phase 1 whitepaper evaluations within 10 calendar days of the closing of

Anti-drone

New Tactical Rapid Deployment Anti-Drone Jammer Launched

UST drones – 18.01.2021 – Netline has unveiled a new a rapid deployment (RD) tactical drone jamming solution, the DroneNet RD Jammer. The compact solution meets US Military Standards (MIL-STD), offers superior performance and fast, easy deployment. The DroneNet RD Jammer is the latest addition to the DroneNet family of comprehensive solutions designed to prevent unauthorized drones entering protected airspace, such as over deployed military forces, over strategic facilities, or in VIP protection arenas, whether on the move or stationary. Easy to operate, assemble and transport, the DroneNet RD jammer can be quickly deployed, mounted on a tripod mast, by a small tactical operating team… lire l’article

the submittal period and provide notification to companies… lire l’article

Logistique médicale

ANRA Technologies powering development of first medical drone delivery network in UK

UAS weekly – 21.01.2021  –  ANRA Technologies, a leader in integrated airspace management, today announced its participation in the CAELUS project, a consortium led by AGS Airports that will develop and trial the UK’s first national distribution network using drones to transport essential medicines, blood, organs, and other medical supplies throughout Scotland… lire l’article

AGS Airports led Consortium to develop UK’s first medical delivery drone network

TravelDailyNews – 21.01.2021 – AGS Airports, which owns and manages Aberdeen, Glasgow and Southampton airports, is to lead a consortium that will develop and trial what will be the UK’s first national distribution network to use drones to transport essential medicines, blood, organs and other medical supplies throughout Scotland. The AGS led consortium, which brings together 14 organisations including the University of Strathclyde, and leading air traffic control provider NATS, successfully secured £1.5 million from the UK Industrial Strategy Future Flight Challenge Fund to demonstrate how autonomous drone technology can enhance access to essential medical supplies, particularly in rural parts of Scotland… lire l’article

COVID Humanitarian UAS Operation (CHURP) concludes delivery test in Syracuse

Geospatial World – 20.01.2021 – The COVID-19 Humanitarian UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) Response Partnership (CHURP) announced the conclusion of its latest operational phase: multi-day flight operations and evaluations of two separate use cases to prepare for potential wider-scale deployment. The partnership was formed over nine months ago by Emergent 121 Consulting and Akin Gump, LLP. The operation included collaboration among UAS, health, and public safety leaders. The project began on January 14 and closed with a local media demonstration on January 16 at The State University of New York’s (SUNY) Upstate University Hospital and the Central New York (CNY) Biotech Accelerator. UAS commonly referred to as ‘drones’, offers unique solutions to the many challenges faced by our health and public safety agencies during the COVID-19 crisis… lire l’article

Logistique terrestre

Walmart to begin drone delivery pilot this summer

Freight Waves – 20.01.2021  – Walmart (NYSE: WMT) customers along the Arkansas and Missouri state line will soon be able to receive their e-commerce orders via drone delivery. The retailer and drone provider Zipline International have announced that a pilot program operating out of Walmart’s Pea Ridge, Arkansas, store will begin this summer. “This is going to be the beta test site,” Pea Ridge Mayor Jackie Crabtree told the Joplin Globe in an interview this week. “It’s the first one in the country.” Reached by FreightWaves, a Walmart spokesperson didn’t offer any new details on the project or a timeline but pointed to a blog post, published on Sept. 14, 2020, that outlined the retailer’s work with Zipline. The mayor’s comments are the first known acknowledgement of when the pilot will begin… lire l’article

Dragontail Systems Deploys Autonomous Drones To Assist Food Deliveries

UAS weekly – 19.01.2021 –  Dragontail Systems Limited , a software company that optimizes the entire restaurant order and delivery process for global brands like Dominos, KFC and Pizza Hut, today announced the deployment of an autonomous drones control and optimization system to increase restaurants’ delivery capabilities by flying meals to delivery drivers for pick-up in remote landing zones. The drones are integrated with the company’s unique Algo Dispatching System, a platform that uses AI-based technology to optimize and manage the entire food preparation process from order to delivery. The drones are the latest innovation to combat delivery challenges exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. With a heightened demand for delivery orders, the drones offer restaurants and ghost kitchens an opportunity to reach more consumers in suburbs and rural areas while alleviating the need for delivery drivers to remain in close proximity to restaurants. Delivery drivers can meet at the drone landing zones, ranging from parking lots to other remote destinations, where the drones will drop off strategically coordinated orders directly from the corresponding kitchen… lire l’article

First-ever remote drone delivery completed in Latvia

SpaceWar – 15.01.2021 – In December of 2020, Latvia welcomed its first-ever gift delivery completed by a drone. A parcel consisting of tablets was « shipped » with joint efforts of LMT, SPH Engineering, and DPD Latvija. The drone’s Beyond the Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) flight was conducted entirely on the mobile network, and the flying drone used a remote ID device prototype made by LMT, as well as UgCS drone mission and route planning software by SPH Engineering. LMT’s remote ID device prototype is a drone-mounted device that enhances the drone with remote flight capabilities. The device’s SIM card provides two functionalities – remote identification and location tracking of the UAV according to the GPS signal. Combined, they offer additional security and transparency, making BVLOS flights possible… lire l’article

SAR

County of Dinwiddie awards Advexure Unmanned for Purchase of Search & Rescue Drone

sUAS News – 21.01.2021 – DINWIDDIE, VA – Advexure Unmanned Systems has been awarded a multi-year contract through an initial purchase of a DJI Matrice 300 RTK, accessories, software, training, and support services for $28,458 in a joint project between the Dinwiddie Sheriff’s Office and Dinwiddie Public Safety. According to Deputy Sheriff Charles Lucy, the drone’s primary function will be for search and rescue missions. Dinwiddie County has numerous group homes and adult living facilities where people will often walk away leading some to pass away from exposure to the cold, or getting into bodies of water. Advexure Unmanned Systems​ was selected for the purchase through a competitive bid process and has furnished Dinwiddie County with a complete drone system, camera payload, training drone for new pilot training and certification, support accessories, and training services… lire l’article

Guerre électronique 

GA-ASI Integrates Legion Pod Onto Avenger RPA

UAS weekly – 16.01.2021 –  In a recent flight test, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) integrated a Lockheed Martin Legion Pod^® onto an Avenger Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) demonstrating enhanced autonomous sensing capabilities for an unmanned aircraft. Taking less than three months for the Legion Pod integration to move from concept to flight, the 90-minute captive-carry flight test verified mechanical interfaces and aerodynamics safety of flight for the aircraft. “Our flight demonstration revealed the quick reaction capabilities of the Avenger RPA,” said GA-ASI Vice President of Strategic Development J.R. Reid. “From software and hardware architecture implementation to sensor integration, the Avenger is a great platform for delivering critical capabilities.”… lire l’article

Industrie

DP&L partners with senseFly and Sinclair College to build drone program and bolster enterprise utilities management

sUAS News – 21.01.2021 – Center, is employing a fleet of senseFly eBee X fixed-wing drones to improve its large-scale data collection and mapping capacity. Over a nine-month period, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) will be used to inspect 4,000 miles of power transmission lines, supporting electricity delivery for the 1.25 million residents of the Dayton, Ohio region… lire l’article

Aussie composites firm quickstep agrees drone deal

Australian Aviation – 20.01.2021  – Australian carbon fibre composites manufacturer Quickstep has signed a deal with delivery service Volansi to promote drones to both the commercial and defence markets. The memorandum of understanding will also include a commitment to discuss proposals for Volansi to use Quickstep’s AeroQure manufacturing process to create drones. Quickstep employs more than 250 people across its bases at Bankstown Airport in Sydney, Geelong in Victoria as well as a representative office in Houston, Texas. The business’ chief executive, Mark Burgess, said, “Expanding our presence in the unmanned sector is a key element of Quickstep’s growth strategy… lire l’article

SkyGrid and SparkCognition Deploy First AI-Powered Cybersecurity System on Drones

UAS weekly – 19.01.2020 – SparkCognition, the world’s leading industrial artificial intelligence (AI) company, and SkyGrid, a Boeing, SparkCognition company, today announced a new collaboration to deploy AI-powered cybersecurity directly on drones, protecting them from zero-day attacks during flight. Equipped with SparkCognition’s DeepArmor® cybersecurity product, SkyGrid is the first airspace management system to enable drone protection powered by AI. This approach provides more advanced airspace security than traditional anti-malware reliant on signatures of known threats. “In the near future, we’ll essentially have a network of flying computers in the sky, and just like the computers we use today, drones can be hacked if not secured properly,” said Amir Husain, CEO and founder of SparkCognition and SkyGrid. “In this emerging environment, traditional anti-malware technology won’t be adequate to detect these never-before-seen attacks. SkyGrid is taking a new, intelligent approach by using AI to more accurately detect and prevent cyberattacks from impacting a drone, a payload, or a ground station.”… lire l’article

Amazon Keeps Buying Pricey Jets After Promising a Drone Fleet

Bloomberg Quint – 15.01.2021 – Amazon.com Inc. is opening warehouses and shipping hubs in the U.S. at the rate of about one every 24 hours. The ultimate aim is to ensure that virtually every product the company sells is a van ride—and eventually a drone flight—away from customers’ homes. And yet, last week Amazon announced it was buying 11 Boeing 767-300 jets for its air-cargo division, mostly to get products to Prime subscribers. Despite creating algorithms to anticipate shoppers’ needs and opening all those warehouses, Amazon can’t meet its one- and two-day shipping pledge to customers without an ever-expanding fleet of pricey jets. That reality has become clearer since the pandemic fueled a surge in online shopping that has strained the resources of United Parcel Service Inc., FedEx Corp. and the U.S. Postal Service… lire l’article

UTM

ANRA Providing Airspace Management for Large Scale European Union Urban Air Mobility Project

UASweekly – 21.01.2021 – ANRA Technologies is pleased to announce its participation in AMU-LED, a Horizon 2020 project of the European Union framed in the SESAR Joint Undertaking, which aims to demonstrate the safe integration of cargo and passenger drone operations in urban airspace… lire l’article

R-SYS successfully deployed “mydronespace” Registration and Airspace Management service for drone pilots in Hungary

sUAS News – 21.01.2021 – The Slovak company R-SYS Ltd., Subsidiary of ERA, have successfully completed a process of development and deployment of mydronespace TM system for Hungarian Air Navigation Services HungaroControl. Two key components of the system HungaroContol’s mobile application for drone pilots and UAS operators, and the web console for supervisory authorities – together constitute a keystone providing a secure registration of drone pilots and reliable airspace management service involving UAS operation in Hungary… lire l’article