New Investments, New Tech, New World Records...and more!
BLOS Update Week 40: 30 Sep - 6 Oct
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Hello folks,
54 news stories. Let’s get straight into it.
Defence & Security
Ukraine – Russia Conflict
Ukrainian special forces reportedly assassinated Col. Aleksy Kolomeytsev, a key figure in Russia’s Shahed drone program, near Moscow. Ukraine also found a Starlink terminal in a downed Russian Shahed-136 drone, suggesting Russia may be upgrading its UAVs with SpaceX technology, though Moscow denies official use of Starlink.
Meanwhile, Russia is developing tactics to launch FPV drones from helicopters to target sea drones, extending their range and boosting defence against maritime threats like the recent attacks on its Black Sea fleet. Russia is also allegedly using trained wolves to detect kamikaze drones, with their howls providing early warnings to troops.
Capability and Tech development Trials and Exercises
The Marine Corps’ XQ-58A Valkyrie successfully completed a test flight, demonstrating new Link-16 capabilities for autonomous data exchange.
Firestorm showcased its Tempest drone for autonomous operations in complex terrains (and more) as part of Northern Strike 24-2 military exercise.
Mayman Aerospace successfully completed flight tests of its RAZOR VTOL.
Project ULTRA secured $3.49 million to advance 50-mile BVLOS drone flights, integrating unmanned systems into national airspace. Project ULTRA (UAS Logistics, Traffic, Response, and Autonomy) was initiated to meet the US DoD’s goal of integrating emerging UAS technologies into the National Airspace System.
Contracts and Partnerships
Lithuanian drone maker Granta Autonomy secured a €1 million contract to supply GA-10FPV-AI drones, part of a plan to deliver over 7,000 drones to Lithuanian and Ukrainian forces.
The U.S. Army selected LIFT Aircraft and Near Earth Autonomy to develop autonomous medical evacuations, increasing survival rates in critical situations.
The first AUKUS Pillar II EW Prize competition concluded, with Distributed Spectrum Inc winning. Finalists include Adaptive Dynamics Inc., Mithril Technologies Inc., Gambit Defense, and DataShapes AI.
Performance Drone Works (PDW) has been chosen to supply its C100 sUAS for the U.S. Army’s medium-range reconnaissance needs.
Rheinmetall and Honeywell have signed an MoU to collaborate on military vehicle technologies, including solutions for energy management, counter-unmanned aircraft systems (cUAS), and electronic warfare.
Epirus announced the introduction of Leonidas Expeditionary CUAS technology developed as part of a $5.5 million contract from the US Navy’s Office of Naval Research (ONR).
UAV Navigation, part of Grupo Oesía, announced its contract with SATNUS Technologies SL, contributing to the development of the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a next-generation air combat program.
CUAS – Replicator Update
The Pentagon's Replicator 2 program will focus on countering the growing threat of small drones used by hostile forces through rapidly deployable CUAS technologies.
A Crash
A newly released report concludes pilot errors as the cause of the previously undisclosed crash of an MQ-9 Reaper drone in Africa, resulting in a $25 million loss.
Bluelight (Emergency Services)
In the past week, various police departments and authorities around the US have used drones to locate a fugitive, locate a suspect after a high-speed chase, save two lives in a single night, and peacefully arrest a domestic violence suspect.
Commercial
Development and Trials
Germany’s Deutsche Bahn plans to test long-range drones to monitor storm damage along railways, aiming to deploy 100 drones by 2025 to improve maintenance.
UAVOS and Bayanat have supported a High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) mission in the UAE, using a high-resolution camera for surveillance and disaster response from 15,000 meters.
Contracts and Partnerships
In the US:
BRINC and OMADA Group have partnered to deploy flotation devices via drones, Dufour Aerospace and Areion renewed their existing partnership, FlytBase and gNext have teamed up to automate asset inspections using drones and AI, Freefly Systems and Drone Rescue Systems partnered to integrate parachute safety into drones, and Serve Robotics and Wing Aviation partnered to create a hybrid drone-robot delivery system.
Meanwhile, in the UK:
Evolve Dynamics received a grant to develop its autonomous Drone-in-a-Box system for emergency response, NATS and Altitude Angel launched a digital drone flight approval service at Aberdeen Airport, and SkyWash Drones licensed the Apellix Power Wash Drone to improve exterior cleaning safety and efficiency, allowing workers to clean tall structures from the ground.
Private Investment
A couple of great investment good news stories!
Voliro secured $12 million in Series A funding to advance its aerial robotics technology, and while not directly drones related, but still worth a mention – Toyota is investing $500 million in Joby Aviation to support the development and commercial production of electric air taxis.
New Product Launches
Technology Launches
SPH Engineering introduced "Circlegrammetry" a new tool that uses circular flight patterns to enhance drone photogrammetry, increasing efficiency and precision.
Advanced Navigation launched the Certus Mini navigation system, a lightweight (55 grams only), high-accuracy solution for drones and autonomous vehicles.
Calian introduced two products: a VCS6000XF Smart Choke Antenna for high-precision navigation with interference mitigation, and a new TruPrecision SDK for its HCS885XF Smart GNSS Helical Antenna.
Harxon launched a new series of RTK antennas that offer advanced anti-jamming while providing precise positioning for UAVs.
PGG Wrightson and Inde Technology developed SkyCount – a technology combining drones and AI to accurately count livestock in minutes.
Trimble introduced a new APX RTX portfolio capable of real-time, high-accuracy georeferencing for UAV mapping.
UAV Launches
Leaked images of the DJI Air 3S suggest major upgrades, including a dual-camera system with wide and telephoto lenses, and possibly LiDAR or infrared sensors for enhanced safety. The drone is expected to cost around $1,445.
Following an FCC registration, DJI’s Mavic 4 is expected to launch soon (before EOY 2024) featuring a larger battery for extended flight times and hints at Pro and Cine models.
Drones for Good
Hawaiian wildlife officials are using drones to spray citric acid in areas overrun by invasive coqui frogs, helping protect native species and reduce noise pollution.
Drones played a key role in NYC's coastal storm drill, assisting with search-and-rescue operations.
North Carolina farmers repurposed agricultural drones to deliver supplies and aid in hurricane Helene aftermath.
In Ecuador, drones equipped with sonar located a sunken boat.
In Japan, private drone operators are increasingly involved in disaster response efforts particularly following natural disasters like the recent floods in Ishikawa Prefecture.
Contract for Wildlife Protection
Sphere Drones has secured a contract with New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service to provide HubX drone-in-a-box systems for monitoring natural hazards like bushfires and aiding conservation in remote areas.
Policy, Regulations, and Legal
Delta is the first U.S. airline to get FAA approval for using drones in aircraft inspections, which speeds up the process by 82%, improves safety, and reduces technician risk.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority outlined its plans to enable routine drone flights beyond visual line of sight by 2027, aiming to improve services like medical delivery and emergency response.
A recent cybersecurity audit by FTI Consulting confirmed that DJI’s Mavic 3T drone complies with US data security standards, ensuring data transmissions stay within the US. Meanwhile, Virginia lawmakers are urging Fairfax County to stop using DJI drones over national security concerns.
In Other News
Shenzhen set two world records with 10,197 drones in a stunning display, boosting tourism with special offers. (Image below)
Pro-Palestinian activists targeted a UK Teledyne factory, accusing it of making components for Israeli military use.
DronePort Network’s new CAAP project enhances airspace safety at local airports using real-time monitoring technology.
Over 200 Scottish heritage sites now allow drone pilots to apply for special filming permissions via a new Altitude Angel platform.
Image of the Week
Shenzen National Day – 10,197 drones. 2 world records. Impressive.
Until next week,
Adit