The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced the eight companies that will assist the Federal government in establishing requirements for future suppliers of Remote Identification (Remote ID).

Remote ID will enable Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), commonly called drones, to provide identification and location information while operating in the nation’s airspace.

The FAA selected the following companies to develop technology requirements for future Remote ID UAS 

ZALA AERO DRONE DELIVERY (ZDD) is a service that allows you to solve the problem of delivering cargo to any location, regardless of its whereabouts. You no longer need to construct complex logistics routes and think about traffic, the new solution is delivery by the shortest route, in the shortest time possible.

The terrain map obtained using airborne laser scanning will allow you to bypass any natural or man-made obstacles.

Liteye Systems, Inc. has announced the introduction of the SIGNUM, Threat Detection & Targeting System to provide accurate and effective targeting data to weapon systems capable of kinetically defeating UAS or similar targets.

Additionally, SIGNUM supports multi-domain Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions along with accurate 3-dimensional targeting.

F-drones has completed the first commercial BVLOS drone delivery in Singapore on 19 April 2020. The drone delivered 2 kg of vitamins over 2.7 km in 7 minutes, to a ship managed by Eastern Pacific Shipping (EPS).

EPS, which is one of the world’s largest privately-owned ship managers, is F-drones’ first paying customer. The deal signed between the two companies is for an initial one-year contract of 200 deliveries.

In Singapore, like in most parts of the world, a BVLOS authorisation or permit is required when operating drones beyond the visual range of drone pilots. Without which, commercial drone delivery services would not be viable.

ZALA AERO representative office in Peru uses ZALA unmanned systems to patrol cities, control people maintaining social distance and provide security during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Together with Peruvian Army they monitor Lima with ZALA unmanned systems. The live video stream is displayed on the control station screens. Using these data they can track any movement on the city streets. 

Read on for an insider view of how industries like power and gas or critical infrastructure are continuing to function despite current limitations.

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV), a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), today announced the availability of Quantix™ Recon, a lightweight, rapidly deployable, fully-automated reconnaissance solution that delivers high resolution, georeferenced terrain, vegetation and infrastructure imagery, providing ground forces with on-demand actionable intelligence.

With its unique hybrid VTOL design, Quantix Recon combines the vertical takeoff and landing advantages of a multirotor drone with the range, speed and efficiency of a fixed-wing unmanned aircraft. Featuring fully-automated flight operation, Quantix Recon surveys up to 1.6 square kilometers (0.6 square miles), or 20 linear kilometers (12.4 miles) per 45-minute single battery flight. Multiple automated reconnaissance mode options allow users to choose between line (route), area and waypoint targeted data capture. Collected aerial imagery data is compatible with a wide range of available geographic information system (GIS) analytical tools to facilitate further analysis.

Separately but related,  Zipline has been working with the US FAA to launch of U.S. operations for drone delivery including the ability to distribute test kits and PPEs via drone.

Europe’s leading provider of Rotary Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms, UMS SKELDAR, has selected end-to-end Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) provider 360iSR to deliver specialist operational support from Concept of Operations (CONOPS) development to mission specific training for ISR operators, sensor operators and intelligence analysts.

“ISR is the future of modern warfare and of decision making in complex environments,” explains Ewen Stockbridge Sime, Founding Director of 360iSR. “We are providing to UMS an end-to-end ISR training solution, from the initial operating concept to full operational capability (FOC). Our specialisation is in ensuring that any end-user of an ISR capability can maximise value through integrated and synchronised operations. We strive to work with the end user to help them achieve FOC quicker.”