New UAVs, a drone ban, some legal trouble, and more!
BLOS Update Week 37 2024: 9 Sep - 13 Sep
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Hi there!
Hope you had a fantastic weekend.
Let’s get on with last week’s news because there is a LOT to go through today – new UAV product launches, development updates, contracts, partnerships, a drone ban, some legal trouble, and more!
Let’s start with defence
There were several new product announcements from North America and Europe:
Anduril Industries has launched the Barracuda-M series, a range of software-defined autonomous air vehicles (AAVs) designed as cost-effective cruise missiles. These missiles come in various sizes and payloads, offering adaptable, scalable solutions for diverse missions. Anduril aims to simplify production and utilize commercial supply chains to meet evolving defence needs quickly.
Draganfly introduced the APEX drone, tailored for military and law enforcement with a 45-minute flight time and 5-pound payload. Its modular design and AI-powered data processing enhance mission flexibility.
Vantage Robotics unveiled the Trace Nano drone, a compact, high-performance UAV developed with U.S. Department of Defense expertise. Weighing just 153 grams, it features a 24x zoom camera, low noise for discreet operations, and robust design for security and critical infrastructure inspections. With a 2 km range and 30-minute flight time, it offers secure communications and adheres to strict U.S. security standards.
Polska Grupa Zbrojeniowa (PGZ) has unveiled the T.U.R.T.L.E, an autonomous mine-laying drone inspired by lessons from the Ukraine war. This system allows for rapid, safe mine deployment, reducing human risk in hazardous environments.
Few updates from military UAV development programmes:
Flying Wedge completed the maiden flight of the FWD 200B, India's first indigenously developed Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). This Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) drone is designed for surveillance and precision strikes, marking a major milestone in India’s defence technology and offering a cost-effective alternative to imports.
Piasecki Aircraft successfully flew its Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System (ARES), a tilt-duct VTOL vehicle that can operate autonomously or with a pilot. Designed for multi-mission roles like casualty evacuation and logistics, this development, funded by the U.S. Air Force and Army, represents a key advancement in VTOL technology.
Northrop Grumman has added a pilot to its Model 437 "Vanguard" Autonomous Collaborative Aircraft for faster testing, allowing it to fly over populated areas without special FAA permits. This hybrid mode refines the aircraft’s capabilities for future autonomous missions, designed for the U.S. Air Force's Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, and it can carry up to a 2,000-pound payload.
New U.S. based and an Australian defence related contracts for drones signed:
The U.S. Department of Defense has ordered Draganfly drones through a contract with Virtual Reality Rehab (VRR). These drones, including the Commander 3XL and Flex FPV, will support military missions with advanced features like swarming and augmented reality, enhancing the Defense Department’s operational capabilities.
Textron Systems secured a $15.2 million contract from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) to supply Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for intelligence and surveillance operations, expected to be completed by September 2029.
The U.S. Army selected PDW’s C100 drone for medium-range reconnaissance (MRR). Weighing just 21 pounds, it provides critical decentralized air support, allowing for surveillance, precision strikes, and communication relays without external fire support, modernizing unit-level operations.
The Australian Army has signed a contract with SYPAQ under the DEF-129 program to provide advanced autonomous systems, including drones, aimed at enhancing surveillance, intelligence, and tactical operations as part of Australia’s broader defence strategy.
Two acquisitions for defence capability enhancement:
BAE Systems has acquired UK-based Kirintec, specialising in cyber and electromagnetic activities (CEMA) like counter-IED and electronic warfare solutions. This move boosts BAE's electronic warfare capabilities and expands its global reach through their Digital Intelligence division.
Red Cat Holdings has acquired FlightWave Aerospace, adding the military-grade Edge 130 Blue UAS to its portfolio. Known for long-range mapping and surveillance, the tricopter strengthens Red Cat's defense offerings, with plans to scale production and enhance its portable drones for military use.
Some interesting developments from the Russian-Ukraine war:
Ukrainian forces have successfully intercepted Russian Merlin-VR spy drones using low-cost FPV (First-Person View) drones. Despite the Merlin-VR being one of Russia's more advanced reconnaissance UAVs, Ukraine's innovative approach has disrupted Russian surveillance efforts, revealing challenges in Russia’s drone production and highlighting Ukraine’s resourcefulness.
Russia is now using reinforced rubber mats on T-90 tanks as a low-cost defence against drone attacks, covering vulnerable areas like the turret and engine. This follows earlier attempts with metal cages and boxes, which offered some protection but hindered operations. The effectiveness of these mats is unclear, but they appear more focused on boosting crew morale than offering real protection against advanced Ukrainian drones.
An update on the controversial Chinese drone ban
The U.S. House has passed the Countering CCP Drones Act, aiming to ban DJI by adding the company to the FCC’s Covered List due to national security concerns. The bill, introduced by Rep. Elise Stefanik, targets Chinese-made drones, citing risks to critical U.S. infrastructure. However, industries like agriculture and emergency services that rely on DJI drones oppose the move due to cost concerns. A Senate version of the bill includes grants to help first responders transition to U.S. made drones.
Lawmakers have also raised concerns about DJI drones in agriculture, warning of potential espionage or sabotage risks tied to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). DJI denies these claims, emphasizing the safety and innovation of its technology.
This will likely affect a large portion of the drone industry in some form or another.
Where do you stand on this? Let me know! (email me at adit@elantar.com)
On to more commercial and technology news…
New commercial partnerships being formed to leverage expertise:
Malaysia and China have formed a strategic partnership to boost UAV technology, focusing on agriculture, infrastructure, and surveillance, with an emphasis on innovation and commercial use.
Skyfire and Echelon have launched SkyfireAI, a venture aimed at integrating advanced AI into drones, enhancing autonomy and swarming capabilities for more efficient operations.
Hanwha Defense Australia, Hanwha Aerospace, and Advanced Navigation have signed an MoU to develop autonomous navigation systems for military vehicles and UAVs. Using AI-driven, GPS-independent technology, they aim to improve precision and reliability in defence operations.
New technologies and the growing applications of drones:
Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden have developed a groundbreaking structural battery made from carbon fiber that stores energy while serving as a load-bearing material. This innovation could drastically reduce the weight of electric vehicles, laptops, and phones, enhancing energy efficiency and extending battery life. While still in development, it has the potential to revolutionize transportation and electronics by cutting energy consumption.
South Korea’s Deep Inspection has patented an AI-driven drone system for aircraft inspections, using optical and thermal cameras to detect damage. This tech improves safety, reduces human error, and shortens maintenance times, lowering costs and increasing efficiency.
Sensyn Robotics and Chubu Electric Power Grid have created an AI system that uses drones to inspect power transmission facilities, detecting issues like rust and missing bolts in real time. Launching soon (in 2024), the system will streamline inspections, enhance safety, and improve over time through continuous learning.
Hoverfly Technologies’ Spectre UAS became the first tethered drone to earn AUVSI’s Green UAS certification, meeting top cybersecurity standards. This aligns it with the Defense Innovation Unit’s Blue UAS program, enhancing its appeal for public safety and infrastructure sectors.
Researchers in Texas and Oklahoma have developed a drone system to monitor dolphins in the wild. This quieter, fixed-wing drone will collect biological samples without disturbing the animals, with plans to study a vulnerable dolphin population in Galveston Bay next year.
Safer BVLOS and some legal trouble
The Northern Plains UAS Test Site received FAA approval for Vantis, North Dakota’s drone system, to support safer beyond-visual-line-of-sight (BVLOS) operations. This allows companies to use Vantis for collision avoidance, speeding up FAA waivers and scaling commercial drone flights.
The Institute for Justice has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of Michael Jones, a drone photographer from North Carolina, challenging state restrictions on aerial mapping. North Carolina's land-surveying board claims that Jones' drone photography constitutes illegal land surveying, requiring a full surveyor's license, but Jones argues this violates his First Amendment rights. The case could have major implications for free speech and entrepreneurship as it questions whether aerial data collection qualifies as protected speech.
That’s all for today – hope you enjoyed this newsletter!
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Have a great week and I’ll be back next Monday with this week’s news!
-Adit