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Professional-grade UAS components, a fuel cell system for UAVs, drone flying in national parks, the Choctaw Nation UAS Integration Pilot Program, new life for Piaggio Hammerhead, and the Northrop Grumman Firebird surveillance aircraft.
UAV News
UAV industry purging hobbyist-grade components from supply chain
Fifteen years ago, practically all the drone components came from the hobby business. Commercial and even military applications used R/C hobby parts and software. Back then, costs were low, but supply capacity was limited and the quality was sometimes poor. But that was all that was available. Now we’re seeing professional-grade UAV’s with professional-grade components as aviation industry standards are working into the commercial drone industry.
Ballard launches hydrogen fuel cell for UAV
At the AUVSI Xponential Annual Conference and Expo 2019 in Chicago, Ballard Unmanned Systems launched the FCair fuel cell product line. It includes a hydrogen fuel cell power system, hydrogen storage vessels and pressure regulators, refueling solutions, and hydrogen gas supply.
Crowded park, crowded skies? Yellowstone looks to curtail illegal drone use
Drones are banned in the park, but that’s frequently ignored. A few drone operators have been caught and fined after their videos were posted online. The park posts signs at the entrances and provides information on their website and in the newspaper that all visitors receive.
Have a feral pig problem? There’s a drone for that.
Farmers in Oklahoma have had crops decimated by feral pigs. The total economic damage could be as much as $2.5 billion annually. Oklahoma’s Choctaw Nation is one of the 10 sites under the UAS Integration Pilot Program (IPP) and they are testing solutions. For example, drones could be used to rebait automated traps to catch feral pigs. Complications include an underdeveloped infrastructure where not all areas have broadband.
OSU UAS team presents to White House officials
At the Choctaw Nation Emerging Aviation Technology Conference in Durant on April 18, 2019, the Oklahoma State University’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems team conducted flight demonstrations. Attending the demonstrations was the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Deputy Director. The OSU UAS program is in the College of Engineering, Architecture and Technology and it gives students experience with hands-on analysis, design, construction and flight testing of UAS platforms.
Italy to buy drones to keep company alive, but the Air Force doesn’t want them
The Italian government said it will buy four Piaggio Aerospace drones. The Italian Air Force doesn’t want the P.1HH HammerHead, but the Defence Ministry said it serves the operational needs of the Italian armed forces, protects the strategic value of Piaggio, and strengthens Italy’s partner role in the EuroMALE drone program.ind an “industrial partner.”
Northrop Grumman aims to outsource much of Firebird production
Northrop Grumman believes their Firebird surveillance aircraft has a large international market opportunity. Since other countries often want local manufacturing content, Northrop Grumman designed the Firebird with that in mind. The Firebird is available in manned, autonomous and optionally piloted configurations.