GPS World

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  • GPS III satellite passes thermal vacuum test

    As first reported Jan. 19, Lockheed Martin engineers have proved their design for the GPS III satellite, demonstrating that it can operate in and withstand the harsh conditions it will experience on orbit.

    On Dec. 23, Lockheed Martin’s first GPS III satellite for the U.S. Air Force completed system-level Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) testing, validating the design of the entire assembled satellite. TVAC is a rigorous test designed to prove a satellite’s integrity and operational capabilities by subjecting it to prolonged cycles of simulated space temperature extremes in a special depressurized chamber.

    “TVAC is the most comprehensive and perceptive test performed at the spacecraft level. If there is an issue with your design or production processes, you are going to find it here,” said Mark Stewart, vice president of Lockheed Martin’s Navigation Systems mission area. “Successful completion of this significant test validates the thermal design of the spacecraft and verifies that all spacecraft components and interfaces operate at the temperature extremes of the space environment. We credit this performance to the Back to Basics work we performed earlier and the program’s unique GPS III Non-flight Satellite Testbed.”

    Source: GPS world staff
    The first GPS III satellite undergoes system-level thermal vacuum testing. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)

    In spring 2015, the GPS III satellite’s major functional components were successfully integrated to form the first complete satellite. In the fall, the new satellite also successfully completed acoustic testing, where it was pounded with sound waves to simulate the vibrations it will endure during its launch.

    With eight satellites under contract, the production line is now on a steady tempo at Lockheed Martin’s GPS III Processing Facility outside of Denver, Lockheed Martin said. The first four GPS III satellites are in various stages of assembly and test with most major components — including their structure and propulsion systems, solar arrays, and antennas — already delivered.

    This spring, with Harris Corporation’s delivery of its second navigation payload, the second GPS III satellite is expected to be integrated and begin environmental testing.

    Components for the next four GPS III satellites are already being assembled, tested and delivered on schedule by more than 250 aerospace industry companies from 29 states.

    “We have a world-class industry team supporting the development and production of GPS III for the Air Force and our nation,” continued Stewart. “I thank them for their excellent work and commitment to this program.”

    GPS III will deliver three times better accuracy, provide up to eight times improved anti-jamming capabilities and extend spacecraft life to 15 years, 25 percent longer than the satellites launching today. GPS III’s new L1C civil signal also will make it the first GPS satellite to be interoperable with other international global navigation satellite systems.

  • DJI propulsion system aimed at industry, aerial imaging

    UAV company DJI is offering its first tuned propulsion system designed for all-weather use in industrial applications and filmmaking.

    The E2000 propulsion system has the power to handle add-ons such as computing devices and advanced imaging equipment. It uses a combination of 6010 motors, 1240S/X field-oriented control (FOC) electronic speed control (ESCs), and 2170 propellers to carry payloads of 1800–2500 grams (g) per axis, with a maximum thrust of up to 5100 g/rotor (50V, sea level).

    The 6010 motor’s bearings are fully sealed to prevent flu

    ids such as salt water from causing corrosion. A special surface coating applied to the stator also greatly improves its ability to withstand rusting.

    To more effectively dissipate heat generated under intensive industrial use, the 6010 motor features an integrated centrifugal cooling system that effectively cools the motor while keeping dust and micro particles out. The 1240S FOC ESC is equipped with a silica thermal pad and heat sink for maximum heat transfer and dissipation.

    The E2000 is available in Standard and Pro versions to meet the demands of professional and industry users. Both the 6010 Standard and Pro motor bearings are fully sealed to prevent fluids like rain, pesticide, and salt spray from entering and causing corrosion. A special surface coating applied to the stator also greatly improves its ability to withstand rusting.

    The same effective weather sealing has also been applied to the external 1240S ESC found with the E2000 Standard. The E2000 Standard has an IP56 rating.

  • Insitu Blackjack UAS receives ‘go’ for Navy, Marine ops

    Insitu Blackjack UAS receives ‘go’ for Navy, Marine ops

    The Navy and Marine Corps’ RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aircraft system (UAS) received the official green light for operation Jan. 13, marking a major milestone for the program.

    The program has achieved Initial Operational Capability (IOC), announced Marine Corps Deputy Commandant for Aviation Lt. Gen. Jon Davis. IOC confirms that the first Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron (VMU) squadron is sufficiently manned, trained and ready to deploy with the RQ-21A system.

    “We are ‘go for launch’,” said Col. Eldon Metzger, program manager for the Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems Program Office (PMA-263), whose team oversees the Blackjack program. “Achieving IOC designation means the fleet can now deploy using this critical piece of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance architecture to enhance mission success.”

    Blackjack-insitu-O
    An RQ-21A Blackjack in flight during testing aboard USS Mesa Verde (LPD-19) in 2015. The Marines will deploy for the first time with the unmanned air system this summer. (U.S. Navy photo)

    In December 2015, builder Insitu delivered the first system from low-rate initial production (LRIP) lot 3 to VMU-2. The Blackjack system will support of the 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), based in Camp Legeune, North Carolina. The Marines will make their first shipboard deployment with the system this summer.

    “The Blackjack team has endured many long hours seeing this program to fruition and I am very proud to lead such a dedicated team of professionals,” Metzger said.

    A Blackjack system is comprised of five air vehicles, two ground control systems, and launch and recovery support equipment. At eight feet long and with a wingspan of 16 feet, the air vehicle’s open-architecture configuration is designed to seamlessly integrate sensor payloads, with an endurance of 10-12 hours.

    The expeditionary nature of the Blackjack, which does not require a runway for launch and recovery, makes it possible to deploy a multi-intelligence-capable UAS with minimal footprint from ships.

  • AUVSI provides interactive map of UAS legislation

    As the 2016 legislative session kicked off this month, the Association for Unmanned Vehicles Systems International (AUVSI) has been tracking all active legislation pertaining to unmanned systems. This year, to provide the best information to its members, legislators, regulators and the media, AUVSI has organized data on all unmanned systems-related state legislation into a sortable, interactive map with details that include a summary of each bill.

    Included are bills that place restrictions on police, recreational or commercial unmanned aircraft systems; legislation that forms unmanned systems or autonomous vehicle commissions and task forces; bills that try to treat unmanned technology differently than other information-gathering devices; and bills that place operating limitations on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) in specific scenarios such as preventing all UAS from flying over prisons or from interfering with hunting and fishing.

    To date, more than 150 active bills in more than 30 states have either carried over from 2015 or been introduced this year.

    See the map below.

  • Tilt sensor enables accurate performance in industrial applications

    The 0729-1760-04 Dual Axis RS-485 inclinometer by The Fredericks Company.
    The 0729-1760-04 Dual Axis RS-485 inclinometer by The Fredericks Company.

    The Fredericks Company has released a new inclinometer. The 0729-1760-04 Dual Axis RS-485 inclinometer uses a Fredericks TrueTILT wide-range electrolytic tilt sensor and RS-485 signal conditioner to provide reliable tilt measurement.

    By measuring and signaling tilt from a level position, the inclinometer helps to ensure precise execution in applications such as semiconductor manufacturing, satellite dish alignment, robotic controls, aerial lift platform leveling and wheel alignment systems. It is designed for measuring position in industrial applications to ensure accurate performance and consistent production.

    The inclinometer uses RS-485 communications, which allows up to 32 sensors on a single network to reduce wiring requirements. Additional benefits include low power consumption, small size, long life and excellent resolution and repeatability. It has a supply voltage of 5 V DC, ±10˚ dual axis range and operating temperature of -40 °C to +70 °C.

    “The Dual Axis RS-485 Inclinometer provides reliable tilt measurement for a wide range of applications where high precision leveling is critical,” said Heidi McKenna, president of The Fredericks Company.

  • SBIR Regulatory Enforcement Issues

    Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Regulatory Enforcement Issues

    Alison Brown, Co-Chair Government Contracting Working Group

    Small Business Administration (SBA) Regulatory Fairness Board, (719) 331 2844 [email protected]

    1       Overview

    The National Defense Authorization Act of 2012 contained SBIR/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) reauthorization provisions which included language that indicated strong Congressional intent to improve the process of rapidly transitioning SBIR/STTR (hereafter SBIR) innovative technologies for insertion into DOD fielded systems and platforms. The law specifically states:

    “Sec. 5108: To the greatest extent practicable, Federal agencies and Federal prime contractors shall issue Phase III awards relating to technology, including sole source awards, to the SBIR and STTR award recipients that developed the technology.”

    Phase III is further defined as (see Sec. 5125) – “for work that derives from, extends, or completes efforts made under prior funding agreements under the SBIR program.”]

    This provision is the strongest statement to date that Congress is serious that agencies and prime contractors issue Phase III awards to SBIR producers of technology – a mandate, – no longer merely an issue of discretion. Congress had good reason for its action since, while SBIR commercialization outside of the agencies is strong, for Federal programs, as one participant in Congressional hearings noted, “SBIR transition is horrible.”

    SBIR contractors, however, have raised serious concerns about the degree to which DOD complies with the restrictions in existing law and policy. In particular, contractors have reported difficulties in retaining their data rights in Phase III of the SBIR program, which involves commercialization of the project. Many report that agencies and/or prime contractors “pressure” them to turn over their rights, or “fight them” in their attempts to retain their rights. Some firms also allege that agencies improperly procure goods through non-SBIR contracts that are follow-on to Phase II SBIR contracts, and should go to SBIR firms.

    Table 1 – Extract from HASC report, “Challenges to Doing Business with the Department of Defense”, March, 2012[1]

    In a panel report to Congress, supported by the Department of Defense (DOD) , it was acknowledged that one of challenges faced by small businesses was that DOD was not consistently following the existing law and policy in the SBIR Policy Directive (see Table 1).

    Attachment 1 includes case studies describe avenues that small businesses have used to attempt regulatory enforcement of the SBIR Policy Directive for cases where Phase III SBIR work was improperly awarded to entities other than the SBIR firms. However, currently there is currently no effective recourse for small businesses or avenues for enforcement of the current SBIR Regulations[2] within the DOD and other government agencies.

    2       SBA SBIR Phase III Contract Appeal Process

    Under the SBIR Regulations, if a small business brings forward concerns on Phase III work being awarded to another entity, then “SBA may then appeal an agency decision to pursue Phase III work with a business concern other than the SBIR awardee that developed the technology to the head of the contracting activity”. The problem with this path is that the SBA Office of Technology which is identified in the SBIR Policy Directive as responsible for coordination, has no staff available for routinely pursuing time consuming appeals and so rarely can take action on issues raised to them by small businesses.

    Contract appeals for other than SBIR issues are normally executed by the SBA Procurement Center Representatives (PCRs), for example when contracts are incorrectly awarded to other than a small business. However, the SBA PCRs are not currently trained on the SBA Policy Directives on how to handle Phase III contract appeals when a small business identifies work that should have been awarded to an SBIR company.

    3       SBIR Regulatory Enforcement Recommendations

    3.1     Train SBA PCRs in SBIR Phase III Appeal Process

    Training should be provided by the SBA Office of Technology to the SBA PCRs on the Phase III Preference established in the SBIR Policy Directive. The SBA PCRs should then be empowered to use the SBA’s appeal authority when approached by small businesses with valid claims that Phase III work is being awarded with a business concern other than the SBIR awardee that developed the technology.

    3.2     Identify SBA PCRs as POCs for SBIR Regulatory Enforcement

    Currently the SBA Office of Technology is the only office referenced as the SBA representative in the Policy Directive. While the SBA Office of Technology is the correct point of contact for guidance and clarification on Policy Directive and for receiving agency reports, they are not staffed for regulatory enforcement. The SBIR Policy Directive should be clarified to identify the correct POCs to which small businesses should address Regulatory Enforcement issues.

    4       Measurable Impact

    4.1     Number of SBIR Issues raised to PCRs

    Number of SBIR Phase III contracting issues identified to SBA PCRs by small businesses.

    4.2     Number of SBA PCR Appeal Processes Initiated on SBIR Phase III

    Number of submissions by SBA PCRs of “Notice of Intent to Appeal” related to SBIR Phase III contracting issues.

    4.3     Number of Additional Phase III Contracts Awarded

    Number of additional Phase III contract awards made to SBIR companies as a result of SBA engagement that otherwise would be been awarded to an entity other than the SBIR company.

    Attachment 1: Outcomes from Prior SBIR Regulatory Enforcement Cases

    1       US Court of Federal Claims – Spectrum

    In this case, Spectrum Sciences and Software, Inc. (Spectrum), a munitions assembly systems manufacturer, entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the Air Force Research Lab to implement a prototype of their SBIR developed technology for improving a munitions assembly conveyor (MAC) used by the Air Force to assemble aerial bombs. In a suit filed through the United States Court of Federal Claims[3] (Spectrum Sciences & Software, Inc. v. United States, 84 Fed. Cl. 716

    (2008) and 98 Fed. Cl. 8 (2011)), Spectrum alleged that the Air Force used technical data derived from Spectrum’s prototype to issue a competitive solicitation and award a contract to a competitor of Spectrum for implementing the MAC enhancements. The court ruled in Spectrum’s favor and determined damages were owed by the defendant to the plaintiff.

    Although Spectrum won their case in the US Court of Federal Claims, they went out of business. Under the Equal Access to Justice Act[4] a plaintiff may be awarded legal fees, but attorney fees may not be awarded in excess of $125/hour meaning that small businesses, even when they prevail in a court case, are facing a significant unreimbursed legal expense. The length and cost of a legal suit, which was extended in Spectrum’s case by the Air Force appealing an initial judgement, makes this an unattractive option for most small businesses seeking enforcement of the intellectual property right protection granted to them for follow-on work under the SBIR Policy Directive.

    2       Government Accountability Office (GAO) – Complere

    In this case, NASA awarded Complere Inc. (Complere) SBIR phase I and phase I research contracts. After the phase II contract concluded, Complere submitted an unsolicited phase III proposal, which NASA did not accept–electing instead to do its own research on the topic in-house. Complere filed a GAO bid protest, alleging that NASA had acted improperly.

    The GAO dismissed Complere’s bid protest[5]. The GAO noted that “an agency is not required to enter a phase III funding agreement with a phase II awardee . . . and may even enter into a phase III funding agreement with an entity other than the phase II awardee, requiring only that the agency notify the SBA of such action.”[6]

     

    The GAO continued: “We conclude from our review of the SBIR Program Act and SBA’s policy guidance that an agency decision not to enter into a phase III funding agreement is generally not subject to our bid protest review, given the broad discretion accorded agencies to determine whether, and with whom, to enter into phase III funding agreements.”

    The GAO left the door open to the possibility of bid protest jurisdiction if an agency used non-SBIR federal funds to conduct a SBIR phase III competition. However, in the “typical” SBIR case, like this one, an agency’s decision not to fund a SBIR phase III agreement is not subject to the GAO’s bid protest jurisdiction.

    Although Congressional language made it clear that preference is to be given to an SBIR company, over any other entity (which would include internal Government researchers) for Phase III work that “extends, derives from or logically concludes” prior SBIR funded research, this decision by the GAO removes the bid protest process as a viable avenue for small businesses to pursue.

    3       SBA Phase III Contract Appeal – NAVSYS Corporation

    NAVSYS Corporation developed and fielded a precision GPS navigation capability, Talon NAMATH, under a Phase III SBIR contract to Air Force TENCAP. The systems was declared “provisionally operational” and used in theater in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Although the Talon NAMATH system was declared a huge success in theater, the follow-on contract for a fully operational system was awarded to the incumbent Boeing.

    NAYSYS complained to the SBA as under the SBIR Regulations, Agencies, that intend to pursue R/R&D, production, services, or any combination thereof of a technology developed under an SBIR award, with an entity other than that SBIR awardee, must notify SBA in writing prior to such an award. Based on information from NAVSYS, the SBA filed a Notice of Intent to Appeal the decision to pursue Phase III work with a business concern other than the SBIR awardee and the Air Force issued a Stop Work Order on Boeing. After over a year of wrangling, NAVSYS was ultimately awarded a follow-on contract.

    [1] http://armedservices.house.gov/index.cfm/files/serve?File_id=f60b62cb-ce5d-44b7-a2aa-8b693487cd44

    [2] SBIR Policy Directive, http://sbir.gov/sites/default/files/sbir_pd_with_1-8-14_amendments_2-24-14.pdf

    [3] http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/opinions/ALLEGRA.SPECTRUM021411.pdf

    [4] http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/28/2412

    [5] http://www.gao.gov/assets/600/591916.pdf

    [6] http://smallgovcon.com/gaobidprotests/gao-agencies-sbir-phase-iii-decision-not-protestable/#sthash.GYZhyMMJ.dpuf

  • DigitalGlobe receives $335M in commitments for satellite imagery

    DigitalGlobe has received a third customer commitment for direct access capacity on the WorldView-4 satellite, bringing the total in commitments for both WorldView-3 and WorldView-4 to $335 million. The WorldView-4 satellite will provide 30-cm imagery, the highest resolution commercially available, to international defense and intelligence customers.

    WorldView-4 is scheduled to launch in September and begin commercial operations of gathering digital imagery in early 2017. DigitalGlobe is a global provider of commercial high-resolution Earth observation and advanced geospatial solutions.

    Artist's depiction of the WorldView-4 satellite (previously named GeoEye-2). Photo: Digital Globe
    Artist’s depiction of the WorldView-4 satellite (previously named GeoEye-2). Photo: Digital Globe

    Since the end of the third quarter of 2015, DigitalGlobe has received contracts and letters of intent from international defense and intelligence customers totaling $335 million for capacity on WorldView-3 and WorldView-4, representing $38 million of incremental annual revenue starting in 2017.

    DigitalGlobe accelerated the launch of WorldView-4 to meet strong international demand for the world’s highest resolution commercial satellite imagery, and these pre-launch commitments ensure that the satellite will begin generating revenue in early 2017.

    Approximately 60 percent of this potential future revenue is under firm contract. While there is no assurance that revenue reflected in the letters of intent will turn into contracts, this has historically been the case.

    WorldView-4 revenue is expected to start to be recognized in the first quarter of 2017.

    “The fact that we have this level of commitment from multiple international customers — more than half in the form of firm contracted revenue — this far in advance of the WorldView-4 launch is unprecedented,” said Jeffrey R. Tarr, DigitalGlobe president and chief executive officer. “It is a testament to the unique value of our resolution and accuracy and our long history of performance with these customers who rely on us for the safety and security of their nations.”

    With the most advanced constellation of satellites in orbit, DigitalGlobe is investing in the best technology to meet the growing needs of its customers. The company has been upgrading the ground stations of its Direct Access Program customers to a common architecture to fulfill the demand for rapid access to the entire DigitalGlobe constellation and offer more imaging opportunities to these customers. Four of these Constellation Direct Access Facilities are now online, with a fifth ground station expected to be upgraded in the second quarter and all facilities upgraded for full constellation access by early 2017.

    “We are in discussion with many other nations interested in our high resolution, high accuracy 30 cm satellite imagery, and the launch of WorldView-4 will allow us to satisfy unmet customer demand across much of the world,” said Daniel L. Jablonsky, DigitalGlobe general counsel and general manager for International Defense & Intelligence. “The investments we are making to enhance our customers’ direct access facilities will expedite access to WorldView-4 in 2017 and allow us to provision additional access facilities with greater speed and efficiency.”

  • Insurance and law firms start drone services

    Insurance companies in the U.S. and Canada have jumped on the UAV bandwagon, with many now offering coverage for commercial drone users. The insurance usually covers liability for any damage caused by the drone, with comprehensive options covering damage to the drone itself.

    Unmanned Risk Management, which also insures helicopters and other aircraft, has insured drones in all 50 U.S. states and in other countries, and has insured the seven film operators that received Section 333 exemptions.

    ProSight Specialty Insurance, which operates in the U.S. and UK, was given a Best in Biz Award partly for creating insurance for drone operators. ”It’s so prescient and forward-thinking given the burgeoning use of drones in today’s business world,” said a Best in Biz judge.

    AIG has developed commercial UAV coverage designed for the exposure faced by remotely piloted, semi-autonomous and fully autonomous aircraft.

    In Canada, Intact Insurance’s UAV coverage caters to small and medium-sized businesses that use or plan to use drones in their business operations.

    Meanwhile, a Chicago law firm is now specializing in federal commercial drone law. Antonelli Law became the first law firm in the U.S. to be invited by drone maker DJI to participate in the company’s referral program for commercial drone users to help them receive Section 333 exemptions from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In 2015, Antonelli Law filed more than 50 petitions with the FAA.

    The firm also launched a specialized drone law service for police and fire departments, community colleges, universities and municipalities obtain FAA exemptions.

  • FAA hits 3,000 exemptions, 300,000 registrations for UAVs

    The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded more than  3,000 Section 333 Exemption Grants to allow individuals, businesses, non-profits and governmental agencies to fly drones.

    FAA Section 333 exemption grants allow unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) operators to fly commercially and provide professional services. Companies use UAVs for bridge inspections, roof inspections, movie and television filming, aerial photography, pipeline inspections, engineering, precision agriculture, mapping and surveying, wedding photography, real estate photography and videography, public event recording, security and surveillance, live video feeds, training, education, and disaster and catastrophe events.

    First responders such a police, fire and other governmental agencies use UAVs f0r search-and-rescue operations, aerial surveillance, security and arson and fire investigations.

    Registration for Hobbyists

    Nearly 300,000 owners have registered their small unmanned aircraft in the first 30 days after the FAA’s online registration system went live. Owners who registered in the first month received a refund for the $5 application fee.

    “I am pleased the public responded to our call to register,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “The National Airspace System is a great resource and all users of it, including UAS users, are responsible for keeping it safe.”

    The agency continues to see a steady stream of daily registrations. While the refund period expired today, the fee will still cover all the small unmanned aircraft that owners intend to use exclusively for recreational or hobby purposes.

    “The registration numbers we’re seeing so far are very encouraging,” said FAA Administrator Michael Huerta. “We’re working hard to build on this early momentum and ensure everyone understands the registration requirement.”

    The FAA’s registration rule, which took effect on Dec. 21, 2015, applies to small unmanned aircraft that weigh between 0.55 lbs. and 55 pounds. Owners of these aircraft must register before they fly outdoors. People who operated their small unmanned aircraft before December 21 must register by Feb. 19, 2016. The current online system is only available for owners who intend to use their small unmanned aircraft exclusively for recreational or hobby purposes. The FAA is working to make the online registration system available for non-model aircraft users — such as commercial operators — by March 21.

    Registration is simple and is done online. Once the owner enters the required information — complete name, mailing address, physical address and email address — they receive a registration number and certificate that they can print out. The certificate includes the registration number that must be marked on all aircraft that meet the registration requirement. Registration is valid for three years.

    In addition to being an education opportunity, registration helps new flyers become part of the safety culture that has been deeply embedded in traditional aviation for more than a century, while still allowing for the recreation and innovation that are staples of American aviation.

    To register, go to www.faa.gov/uas/registration.

  • Antenova offers flexible antennas for positioning

    Antenova Ltd., manufacturer of antennas and RF antenna modules for machine-to-machine (M2M) and the Internet of Things, is adding two new positioning antennas to its range of flexible FPC antennas.

    Bentoni is a positioning antenna for all of the global public satellite constellations: GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou and Galileo. It is designed to be used in trackers, portable devices, network components, drones and wearable electronics.

    Asper is a dual antenna with two separate antenna systems in a single form factor. It combines a 1559–1609 MHz antenna with a 2.4–2.5 GHz antenna in the same part for positioning applications with wireless connectivity as well. This antenna is suitable for sports cameras, trackers, dash cams, portable devices, network devices and wearable electronics.

    Both antennas offer high performance and maintain good isolation in situ within a device.

    Bentoni and Asper are the latest flexible FPC antennas in Antenova’s flexiiANT product range. They are supplied with an I-PEX MHF connector and a 1.13 mm RF cable in a choice of three lengths.  They can be folded to save space in operation within a device.

    Antenova’s antenna design team aims to create antennas that a product designer can integrate with the other circuits in a design in a convenient way, rather than designing a product to fit around the antenna. The aim of these antenna designs is plug and play simplicity — they are self-adhesive mounted so that they can easily be fixed inside an electronic device.

    Bentoni antenna and Asper antennas are available to order now.

  • Commercial drone sales to rise by 84 percent in 2016

    A new study from U.K.-based Juniper Research has found that annual revenues from commercial drones sales are expected to reach $481 million this year, up 84 percent from last year’s figure of $261 million.

    The new research — “Drones: Consumer & Commercial Applications, Regulations & Opportunities 2015-2020” — found that a low price point had significantly reduced the barrier to entry in many sectors, with high-performance models now available for less than $3,000. It claimed that the reduction in drone price points had in turn resulted in their commercial application within an array of new fields including mapping, inspection and monitoring.

    Agriculture to Lead Growth. The research argued that strongest growth would occur within the agricultural sector, which Juniper expects to account for 48 percent of all commercial drone sales this year. Here, UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) help save time and costs over other methods, such as walking fields on foot and using planes for fly-over filming. Furthermore, the ease of use of a UAV created for the sector allows for more regular crop surveying.

    Film and Television. The research also found that demand for UAVs in the film and television sectors is soaring. Drones provide a much cheaper and more flexible alternative to the use of helicopters and other methods to capture footage for the film and TV industry, particularly for action sequences.

    Delivery Drone Concerns. The research cautioned that a raft of privacy, safety and security concerns mean that the usage of drones for delivery purposes is likely to be severely constrained or even prohibited within built-up areas.

    According to research co-author Windsor Holden, regulators would be extremely wary of allowing planned services such as Amazon Prime Air and Google’s Project Wing to be offered, except as a means of delivering to isolated rural communities.

    “Regulators are understandably concerned that the deployment of delivery drones in inner cities would significantly increase the risk of potentially fatal collisions with cars or even pedestrians,” Holden warned.

    Terrorist Concerns. The research also claimed that there was a danger that delivery drones could be hacked by terrorists, conceivably delivering an explosives payload into areas where they would be capable of causing high levels of civilian casualties.

    According to Juniper Research, the report:

    • details and segments the various UAVs available in the market.
    • assesses how drone development will proceed in light of stringent safety and privacy concerns and regulatory hurdles.
    • analyses key market drivers, technological trends and challenges that currently influence market potential.
    • determines scenarios that will impact future demand.
    • provides in-depth forecasts across a range of key metrics.

    Also, a new white paper, “Game of Drones,” is available to download from the Juniper website together with further details of the full research and the attendant Interactive Forecast Excel (IFxl).

  • Intel to acquire German drone company Ascending Technologies

    Intel CEO Brian Krzanich demonstrated the broad capabilities UAV technology during his keynote presentation at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show Jan. 5, in Las Vegas. Krzanich showcased the Yuneec Typhoon H with Intel RealSense Technology. (Photo: Intel)
    Intel CEO Brian Krzanich demonstrated the broad capabilities UAV technology during his keynote presentation at the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show Jan. 5, in Las Vegas. Krzanich showcased the Yuneec Typhoon H with Intel RealSense Technology. (Photo: Intel)

    Intel has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Ascending Technologies, a drone company located in Krailing, Germany, that produces drone auto-pilot software and algorithms.

    Intel has already partnered to combine Ascending Technologies’ sense-and-avoid algorithms with Intel RealSense technology’s real-time depth-sensing capability. These technologies can improve drone safety, helping them avoid obstacles and collisions.

    With Ascending Technologies, Intel gains expertise and technology to accelerate the deployment of Intel RealSense technology into the fast-growing drone market segment. The Ascending Technologies team is expected to continue supporting its current customers while also collaborating with Intel’s Perceptual Computing team to develop unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology that can help drones fly with more awareness of their environments.

    “Drones are quickly emerging as an important computing platform of the future, writes Josh Walden on an Intel blog. “With practical applications ranging from disaster response, to infrastructure inspection, to delivery of goods, UAVs offer an incredible opportunity for innovation across a multitude of industries. As a result, Intel is positioning itself at the forefront of this opportunity to increasingly integrate the computing, communications, sensor and cloud technology required to make drones smarter and more connected.”