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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
