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Guided cargo delivery drone from Silent Arrow, the best cities for flying a drone, bringing power to those without, sailing the Gulf Stream, an airline plans for drone delivery, protecting the Pope from rogue drones, and DJI end of support.
UAV News
These gliding drones could deliver supplies from Air Force planes to the battlefield
Drone maker Silent Arrow® has won a contract from the Air Force for 15 “Precision Guided Cargo Delivery Drones.” In this Small Business Innovation Research (“SBIR”) Phase II contract, the GD-2000 (Glider, Disposable, 2000 pounds) platform will be scaled down and called the Silent Arrow Precision Guided Bundle (SA-PGB). Initially developed as an autonomous cargo delivery glider, it will be designed for side door and multi-unit (swarm) ramp deployment. The SA-PGB will be compatible with a fleet of delivery aircraft.
The best cities for flying a drone (and one you should definitely avoid)
This article provides information about cities with drone-friendly areas and photographic views. Most locations are in unrestricted Class G airspace. The best: Philadelphia, PA, Pittsburgh, PA, Chicago, IL, Bar Harbor, ME, Houston, TX.
Power drones: Toyota supplier tries novel fix to disaster outages
Japanese automotive supplier Aisan has a concept for a disaster relief drone that could deliver power to areas that are cut off from the grid. The gasolene-powered engine would charge a battery that could power lights and recharge phones.
Three ocean drones launched from Newport; will spend six months gathering data from Gulf Stream
The uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) have been sent on a mission to sail through the Gulf Stream. The Saildrone vehicles will spend six months collecting data to assist weather forecasting and carbon accounting. This effort is led by the University of Rhode Island (URI) and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). It’s funded by a grant from the Google.org Impact Challenge on Climate. The Saildrones are designed to survive harsh weather conditions that crewed ships could not.
SpiceJet plans drone delivery service for medical and essential supplies in remote areas
Indian domestic airline SpiceJet plans to introduce a drone delivery service to serve remote areas for medical and other essential supplies. The customized drones will allow for different payload weights and the initial focus is mid-mile deliveries. Last-mile deliveries are planned for later. The airline’s cargo unit SpiceXpress will provide the service in partnership with Throttle Aerospace for the drones and Aeologic for drone software management.
Rogue drone removed from Pope Francis mass in Slovakia
A mass led by Pope Francis with 60,000 attendees, 90 bishops, and 500 priests was protected by D-Fend Solutions. The company’s EnforceAir Ground-Level Tactical kit anti-drone technology detected a rogue drone and took control of it. See the Press release.
DJI will stop providing support for these products from March 2022
The end of service (EOS) timeline for some products includes: older drones, controllers, gimbals, transmitters, motors, and other accessories. Drones include Wind 1 and 2, Spreading Wings S900 and S1000+, and Flame Wheel ARF KIT F550 / F450 / F330.
UAV Video of the Week
Video: Michigan Christmas Tree Drone Footage
Mentioned
2021 events from Taking Autism To The Skys (TATTS), using drones to develop social and employment skills for autistic individuals.