GPS World

Tag: UAV

  • New mini UAV designed for border patrol

    New mini UAV designed for border patrol

    CopterPIX, an Israeli developer and manufacturer of autonomous multi-rotor UAV solutions, has unveiled its newest platform: the ERE95 Mini.

    CopterPIX made the announement at UVID Dronetech 2025, which took place Nov. 26 at Expo Tel Aviv.

    The ERE95 Mini is designed as an operational platform for border protection, long-range surveillance, and ISR missions. It is fully capable of GNSS-denied missions and integrates a long-range, anti-jamming communication system supporting distances of over 20 km.

    According to the company, the ERE95 Mini has an endurance of 2 hours and can carry up to 5 kg of payload for up to 1 hour. It also has integrated daylight and thermal imaging for advanced surveillance. With a fully foldable frame, the platform collapses into a compact backpack-sized kit, making it suitable for rapid mobility and field operations.

    Its modular “puzzle” architecture allows quick adaptation of SDR modules, optical payloads, and navigation solutions, enabling mission-specific configurations with unprecedented flexibility. To support rapid field deployment, the ERE95 Mini features a mechanical and electrical quick-connect interface, allowing operators to switch payloads in seconds and maintain continuous operational readiness across all missions.

  • UAVOS partnership to advance HAPS technology for high-altitude missions

    UAVOS partnership to advance HAPS technology for high-altitude missions

    UAVOS has successfully completed of a test flight of Mira Aerospace’s high-altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS) ApusNeo 18, with UAVOS providing full engineering and technical support. A key objective of the flight was to evaluate the jointly developed optoelectronic, gyro-stabilized aircraft payload onboard device (POD) by obtaining imagery from altitudes between 3,000 and 12,000 meters.

    During the mission, the POD captured high-resolution imagery with precise geolocation data from an altitude of 12,000 meters, achieving a Ground Sample Distance (GSD) of up to two meters. The test took place in Abu Dhabi, UAE, and lasted continuously for 48 hours.

    “The data-relay station trials were conducted in preparation for upcoming commercial flights in Europe, planned for the coming months,” Aliaksei said.

    The optoelectronic gyro-stabilized aircraft POD is equipped with an innovative automatic temperature control system for  heating and cooling  electronic modules, ensuring reliable operation in the stratosphere at temperatures as low as -70°C under rarefied air conditions.

    The system also provides radio communication at distances exceeding 100 km. The gimbal’s optical unit allows observation within a ±90°C range with high-precision angular positioning. The payload housing features an aerodynamically optimized design, and the total payload weight is 3.6 kg.

    “The successful cooperation with Mira Aerospace reflects our commitment to continuously advancing the capabilities of both companies,” said Aliaksei Stratsilatau, founder and CEO of UAVOS. “We also continue to work toward our ultimate goal of leveraging the HAPS platform for multiple applications, including mobile connectivity, border monitoring, mapping, forest fire detection, and emergency response.”

    To extend the HAPS operational range, the test flight also incorporated a data-relay network based on ground modem repeaters. Each repeater is capable of providing a coverage area of up to 200 km.

    “The data-relay station trials were conducted in preparation for upcoming commercial flights in Europe, planned for the coming months,” Aliaksei said.

  • Osage LLC hosts tour on plans for UAV Skyway Range

    Osage LLC hosts tour on plans for UAV Skyway Range

    Osage LLC of Oklahoma welcomed members of the Osage Nation Congress for an in-depth tour and lunch briefing at Skyway Range, offering a first look at an ambitious vision to transform the area into a leading center for uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) innovation, testing and economic growth.

    The visit provided Osage leaders with a comprehensive overview of current operations and long-term development plans to position the Osage Nation at the forefront of advanced aerospace technologies.

    “The tour provided the opportunity to hear and see the potential in Osage LLC’s vision,” said Osage Nation Congressional Speaker Pam Shaw. “I’m looking forward to seeing what is next for Skyway Range. Utilizing this property for the benefit of the Osage people is what it’s all about.”

    Photo: Osage LLC
    Photo: Osage LLC

    Skyway Range is already a nationally recognized asset due to its expansive Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) capabilities, encompassing nearly 1,200 square miles of urban and rural testing environments within 114 nautical miles of airspace. The range’s proximity to Tulsa International Airport’s Class C airspace and its unique blend of terrain make it one of the most flexible and capable UAS test ranges in the United States.

    Osage LLC is also part of the Tulsa Regional Advanced Mobility (TRAM) Cluster, a collaboration between public, private, non-profit, tribal and academic partners committed to building a thriving, inclusive advanced mobility ecosystem in northeast Oklahoma. Through this partnership, the region received a Build Back Better Regional Challenge (BBBRC) award from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

    BBBRC investments are helping Osage LLC and partners, such as Oklahoma State University and Tulsa Innovation Labs, expand research and development capacity, build testing infrastructure, develop industrial facilities, strengthen workforce pathways, and support entrepreneurs — laying the foundation for commercial UAS testing, manufacturing, research, office development, and future mixed-use opportunities.

    Long-term plans for Skyway Range include:

    • A phased development strategy beginning with critical infrastructure north of 36th Street in Tulsa.
    • A new Command Center and enhanced operations hub to support Skyway’s growing commercial testing capabilities.
    • A 50,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility designed for UAS assembly, prototyping, and light industrial research.
    • Infrastructure and signage improvements to increase commercial readiness and operational capacity.
    •  Future expansion opportunities for additional manufacturing, office, and mixed-use facilities tied to customer demand and Nation-driven land-use decisions.

    Phase One includes $6 million in capital investments approved by Osage Nation Congress, with anticipated completion of office and small-scale manufacturing components by late 2026 to early 2027.

    Osage LLC recently secured its first tenant, Windshape, a Swiss aerospace technology company that specializes in advanced indoor weather simulation and drone performance testing. Windshape held a demonstration for Osage Congressional members and shared how this technology is used globally to validate the safety, reliability, and durability of UAS systems.

  • SPH Engineering’s new high-resolution GPR antennas for UAVs extend subsurface mapping

    SPH Engineering’s new high-resolution GPR antennas for UAVs extend subsurface mapping

    SPH Engineering is offering two new ground-penetrating radar systems optimized for UAV integration: MALÅ GeoDrone 600 and Zond Aero 600 NG.

    Both 600 MHz antennas significantly enhance high-resolution subsurface investigations with drones, supporting applications in engineering surveys, utility mapping, archaeology, environmental studies and geophysical research. They enable surveyors to capture consistent, high-quality subsurface data in areas difficult, slow, or unsafe to access with traditional ground instruments.

    Operating at 600 MHz, the antennas offer a balance between penetration depth and fine near-surface resolution. Typical penetration from the drone is up to 2 meters, depending on the surface conditions, while SPH Engineering’s True Terrain Following ensures stable antenna height to maintain data quality and repeatability.

    Compared to ground-based carts or vehicle systems, the UAV-borne configuration enables operators to:

    • Survey rocky, uneven, vegetated, or steep terrain
    • Achieve consistent grid spacing and uniform antenna coupling
    • Cover large areas significantly faster than manual GPR methods
    • Improve safety by reducing personnel exposure in risky field conditions

    The MALÅ GeoDrone 600 combines the reliability of MALÅ instrumentation with SPH Engineering’s fully integrated drone workflow. Designed for precision engineering, utility detection, and geophysical mapping, the antenna produces clear, high-quality radargrams suitable for detailed structural assessment and shallow subsurface characterization.

    Key Specifications

    • Central frequency: 600 MHz
    • Operating Bandwidth: 250-900 MHz
    • Typical penetration: up to 2 m (soil-dependent)
    • Sampling: MALÅ HDR technology
    • Antenna design: Shielded
    • Weight: 2.7 kg
    The Zond Aero 600 NG antenna package. (Photo: SPH Engineering)
    The Zond Aero 600 NG antenna package. (Photo: SPH Engineering)

    The Zond Aero 600 NG is a next-generation shielded antenna designed specifically for airborne GPR operations. It offers a strong signal-to-noise ratio, improved ground coupling at low altitudes, and robust performance over natural terrain, making it particularly suitable for geophysical research, archaeology and environmental geoscience.

    Key Specifications

    • Central frequency: 600 MHz
    • Operating Bandwidth: 300-950 MHz (-12 dB)
    • Typical penetration: up to 2 m (soil-dependent)
    • Sampling: Real-Time Sampling (RTS) with high hardware stacking
    • Antenna type: Shielded
    • Weight: 1.7 kg

    Both antennas are fully compatible with SPH Engineering’s UgCS flight planning software and the SkyHub drone onboard computer, enabling:

    • Automated terrain-following flights over complex topography
    • Precise altitude control for optimal GPR signal geometry
    • Synchronized GNSS + radar trace logging (for Zond Aero 600, MALÅ GeoDrone 600 has built-in data recorder).
  • Red Cat proves drone software for GPS-denied navigation

    Red Cat proves drone software for GPS-denied navigation

    Red Cat Holdings, a U.S.-based provider of advanced all-domain drone and robotic solutions for defense and national security, has successfully flight tested its Black Widow drone equipped with Palantir Technologies Visual Navigation (VNav) Software.

    The test demonstrated that the Black Widow drone — part of the U.S. Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) program of record — can navigate in GPS-denied conditions using Palantir’s visual-based navigation software. This marks the first known commercial demonstration of visual navigation software on a drone already accepted into a U.S. Army program.

    “This is a breakthrough moment not just for Red Cat, but for the tactical needs of the Department of War,” said Jeff Thompson, CEO of Red Cat. “Every battlefield is a GPS-denied environment, and this successful test shows that Red Cat and Palantir are delivering a software-driven solution the Army can rely on. It requires no new hardware, is ready to deploy today, and gives warfighters the edge in contested environments. It also signals our evolution into a full-stack defense technology platform, with expected margin expansion and strong revenue potential in 2026.”

    VNav uses edge-based sensor fusion to generate real-time position estimates from visual cues and inertial data, enabling navigation in denied or degraded environments. Over a multi-day series of tests, Red Cat and Palantir engineers evaluated VNav across nominal and GPS-denied conditions, including high-speed and low-altitude flights.

    Read more about how VNav works in this Palantir blog.

    The testing sequence validated:

    • Full integration of VNav with the Black Widow flight controller, including compatibility with GPS-assisted operation
    • Accurate navigation in simulated GPS-denied environments
    • Reliable operation at altitudes as low as 150 feet AGL and speeds up to 16 mph
    • Robust performance in twilight and extremely low-light conditions
    • A simulated reconnaissance mission with dynamic flight parameters, completed successfully without GPS or human input

    The results helped define a preliminary performance envelope for VNav on the Black Widow system. The final mission demonstrated VNav’s ability to navigate a complete ISR mission profile, including cruising to a target, descending for surveillance, flying local waypoints, and returning, all without GPS and with continuous positional awareness.

    Palantir engineers reported that VNav achieved a mean positional error of approximately 7 meters over a 2.7-kilometer route. No additional hardware was required for any of the flights, as VNav runs entirely on the Black Widow’s existing onboard sensors.

    “Palantir Visual Navigation performed well in real-world conditions,” said Akash Jain, president and CTO, Palantir USG. “This demonstrates our approach to visual navigation in disrupted environments –– delivering intelligent software that adapts, scales across platforms like Black Widow, and supports the Army’s integrated operating systems.”

    Red Cat and Palantir are working toward a formal Army demonstration and full productized VNav capability for all fielded Black Widow systems.

  • Advancing vehicle autonomy with reliable GNSS

    Advancing vehicle autonomy with reliable GNSS

    GNSS technology has had a reputation for unreliability in safety-critical applications, such as advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). This perception has shaped automotive design and manufacturing: some ADAS developers have avoided GNSS altogether, instead relying on cameras, lidar and other sensors. Here, Manuel Del Castillo, VP of business development at Focal Point Positioning, explains how, with the right reliability, GNSS can offer a powerful layer of redundancy and support these other sensor types.

    The hesitation to include GNSS in ADAS stacks is historical. Traditionally, this technology was unreliable, especially in dense, urban environments where satellite signals were obstructed. Consequently, many automakers turned to alternative sensors. For example, cameras can identify lane markings, traffic signs and objects, while lidar can build highly detailed 3D maps of the vehicle’s surroundings.

    Each of these sensors provides important navigational data. However, they all describe a car’s location relative to its immediate environment. With no reliable source of absolute positioning, these relative measurements can’t confirm the vehicle’s exact place in the world — information that is critical for safe navigation.    

    Why ADAS Needs GNSS

    Cameras, lidar and other sensors provide rich environmental data. However, they are limited by what they can directly observe. A camera can identify lane markings but can’t confirm which road the vehicle is on when multiple lanes or junctions overlap. Similarly, lidar can map obstacles in 3D, but without a wider frame of reference, it will struggle to anchor that map to the road network. HD maps provide another valuable layer, but without an accurate global position, they too can be misaligned with the real world, limiting their value.

    GNSS can help plug this gap. By supplying absolute latitude and longitude, it ensures that the relative information from the other sensors is grounded in the correct location. GNSS helps calibrate and initialise other sensors, while also providing a cross-check against their measurements to detect potential errors or drift in sensor performance over time. Therefore, reliable GNSS is not an alternative to cameras, lidar or radar. It complements these sensors and boosts accuracy and the reliability of the overall system.

    The Importance of Redundancy

    Increasingly, the importance of GNSS in ADAS stacks is being recognised. As automotive production moves toward L3 automation and beyond, the demand for absolute positioning increases, along with the need for safe, layered sensing. GNSS, alongside cameras, lidar and radar, can help automakers improve navigational resilience without reinventing vehicular architectures.

    Reliable GNSS isn’t about replacing other technologies. It is about reinforcing them. Having a global frame of reference helps ensure that the relative data from other sensors is grounded in the correct place. For automakers, the next step is recognising that GNSS can improve safety and trust in ADAS stacks, supporting the transition toward autonomous driving.

    Advancing GNSS Reliability

    Even with GNSS integrated into the vehicle’s sensors, challenges remain. Urban canyons and dense foliage can  attenuate or even block satellite signals and create reflections, reducing accuracy. Since ADAS systems need reliably accurate absolute positioning, these challenges need to be addressed if we want  GNSS to play a role in ADAS.

    Newer, more sophisticated GNSS solutions are needed. The progression to Level 3 does not require an entirely new technology stack but rather extracting the very best from each of the existing components. For GNSS, this evolution involves implementing software-based solutions to achieve the necessary reliability improvements without overhauling hardware components. Pursuing cost-effective upgrades enhances performance without necessitating complete system redesigns, thereby keeping costs under control.

    FocalPoint’s S-GNSS Auto software enhances GNSS accuracy in autonomous vehicles, providing reliable, absolute location to improve overall ADAS safety and efficiency. By boosting line-of-sight signals and rejecting non-line-of-sight signals, this simple firmware upgrade can help vehicles maintain accuracy in challenging environments.

    By reducing positional uncertainty, these enhanced GNSS solutions strengthen the overall sensor stack. Together, these layers improve resilience, safety, and confidence in higher levels of vehicle automation.

    As the automotive industry moves further towards L3 automation and beyond, reliable data on absolute position will be essential and will only reinforce the insights captured by cameras, lidar and other sensors.

    To find out how S-GNSS Auto can help automotive OEMs transition to L3 autonomy, download FocalPoint’s white paper here.

  • Pathfinder provides signal-resilient autonomy in navigation

    Pathfinder provides signal-resilient autonomy in navigation

    Aero Drop Systems (ADS) has developed Pathfinder, a proprietary autonomous navigation framework designed to reduce dependence on GNSS-based positioning. Pathfinder is signal-resilient, capable of maintaining precision even in complete GNSS dead zones and unaffected by deceptive interference.

    At the core of Pathfinder lies an array of sensors and advanced self-regulating logic driven by machine learning. Unlike traditional systems that treat GPS as a singular source of truth, Pathfinder fuses a constant stream of information from multiple internal and external domains and dynamically rebalances itself in real time as it evaluates, cross-verifies, and refines its positional understanding based on an algorithm that classifies the trustworthiness of each data stream.

    The result is a self-correcting navigation intelligence that can anticipate changing conditions, isolate false data, and continue to perform when other systems cannot. This allows Pathfinder to sustain highly accurate navigation during satellite connection or radio frequency outages or when being targeted with jamming or spoofing.

    Designed as a modular framework, Pathfinder can be integrated across a range of fully autonomous platforms operating on land, at sea, or in the air. Its flexible architecture makes it suitable for both commercial logistics and defense applications, where navigation integrity is critical to mission success.

    Currently in the testing phase, Pathfinder is part of ADS’s broader initiative to develop resilient, autonomous logistics technologies capable of performing in contested and complex environments. ADS has confirmed that Pathfinder will serve as the core navigation technology for the platform Aerocrate. Aerocrate is a disposable, autonomous aerial delivery system that enables precise, reliable resupply without requiring recovery operations, staging areas, or active communication with the platform.

  • European Commission proposes expanding defensive drone wall

    European Commission proposes expanding defensive drone wall

    The European Commission plans to expand its drone wall on Europe’s eastern borders because some regions said they felt left out after an initial “wall”, reports Reuters. The idea is to counter drone incursions with a network of sensors, electronic jamming systems and weapons stretching from the Baltic states to the Black Sea.

    The European Drone Defence Initiative proposal is included in the commission’s Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030 issued Oct. 16. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed the drone wall after 20 Russian drones entered the airspace of EU and NATO member Poland in September.

    Eastern European states welcomed her proposal, but countries in southern and western Europe said it neglected drone threats in their part of the continent.

  • Turkish kamikaze drone unveiled

    Turkish kamikaze drone unveiled

    A new Turkish-made twin-jet kamikaze drone, showcased at the Ateş Serbest-2025 exercise, features GNSS-independent autonomy, with GNSS/GPS signals, supplemented by odometric data where necessary, reports Defence Turk and Defence Index. With specially designed avionics and onboard visual-odometry algorithms, the drone can navigate and reach its assigned coordinates without dependence on satellite positioning.

    According to information obtained by both news outlets, the KZ-350 drone is being developed with a target range of 350 km. Its cruising speed is 500 km/h, cruising altitude is 3,000 meters. Its takeoff weight is 120 kg and warhead 25 kg. Two domestically produced jet engines power the drone.

    Once a mission profile is uploaded, the KZ-350 is intended to operate in a “fire-and-forget” mode. It autonomously follows its flight plan to the target area and executes its strike without external guidance.

  • BDStar unveils chip-cloud integrated business strategy

    BDStar unveils chip-cloud integrated business strategy

    BDStar Navigation Co. Ltd., a provider of positioning technology solutions, has announced its chip-coud integration strategy and introduced intelligent location digital base (iLDB) in Frankfurt, Germany.

    iLDB leverages a distributed chip-cloud architecture to create a unified technology and service system. Guided by the chip-cloud Integration paradigm, it combines focused R&D with cross-technology synthesis. This approach delivers robust positioning solutions and powers the integration of physical and virtual environments.

    By establishing the iLDB, BDStar has created a closed-loop ecosystem for its positioning products and services, encompassing algorithms, chips/modules, antennas and data services within a unified framework. The company’s solutions deliver on-demand positioning that is all-weather, all-scenario, secure, reliable and intelligently adaptive, serving a wide range of sectors, including intelligent driving, outdoor robotics (such as robotic lawn mowers), unmanned aerial vehicles, and smart wearables across industrial, automotive and consumer markets.

    Positioning for Europe. Aligned with the iLDB strategy, BDStar also introduced its new high-precision positioning data service for the European market. Built on network real-time kinematic (NRTK) technology, the service offers broad coverage across Europe and provides customers throughout the region with centimeter-level, real-time positioning accuracy within seconds.

    Founded in 2000, BDStar ranks among the world’s top ten suppliers of GNSS core components. In 2025, the company’s global GNSS chip/module shipments are expected to exceed 100 million units. Many leading international brands are already integrating BDStar’s GNSS chips, antennas, and data services into next-generation products designed to address changing market demands.

    David Zhou, vice president of BDStar, said the company’s chip-cloud integration strategy delivers multiple benefits through one-stop design, supply and support, enabling reduced cost, enhanced efficiency, assured security, single accountability, and rapid, effective troubleshooting.

    Ruxin Zhou, founder and chairman of BDStar, emphasized the company’s global vision. “With our chip-cloud integrated model, BDStar will strengthen worldwide partnerships and continue building a world-class, globally covered iLDB,” he said. “We are committed to creating long-term value for our customers and driving progress in the intelligent era.”

  • Orkid’s new VTOL drone integrates GNSS, lidar, photogrammetry and Starlink

    Orkid’s new VTOL drone integrates GNSS, lidar, photogrammetry and Starlink

    Drone-maker Orkid has unveiled a new variant of its Orkid 260 drone that incorporates four technologies to improve aerial data-capture technology.

    According to the company, the Orkid 260VTOL represents a leap forward in the integration of advanced sensing and communication technologies, setting a new benchmark for multi-mission drone capability across commercial and industrial applications. The company said it is the “first vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone to bring all four of the most advanced aerial data capture technologies together — onboard, fully integrated, and operating simultaneously.”

    The system combines lidar (YellowScan Surveyor Ultra), photogrammetry (Phase One P5 camera), GNSS/IMU (Trimble Applanix APX-RTX), and Starlink satellite communications integration in a single platform.

    Built on a 100% electric, NDAA-compliant architecture, the aircraft delivers an estimated 1.5 hours of flight endurance with a range of up to 75 miles. Designed for mapping, surveying, utilities, oil and gas, defense, and critical infrastructure inspection, the new model expands the operational scope for high-precision, long-range missions.

  • TSR unveils tactical drone system with 3-hour flight time

    TSR unveils tactical drone system with 3-hour flight time

    TSR Inc. (Tactical Surveillance Reconnaissance) has launched the AVRIO series autonomous drone systems — cutting-edge European-made unmanned aircraft designed to redefine aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, and precision-strike capabilities.

    The AVRIO family, which includes the Falcox and Nebris platforms, delivers unmatched performance and resilience for defense, security and critical infrastructure missions, according to TSR. The company designed the AVRIO series for a wide range of defense and homeland-security missions, including:

    • Border security and coastal defense
    • Rapid-response reconnaissance and force protection
    • Counter-UAS operations using RF seeker payloads
    • Critical infrastructure protection and disaster-response intelligence.

    “The AVRIO series combines European aerospace engineering with U.S.-based deployment and support, giving governments and security agencies a next-generation toolset for ISR and tactical defense,” said Rick Clarke, CEO of Safe Room Designs/TSR Inc. “This is autonomous aerial defense, reinvented.”

    Specifications of the AVRIO

    • ISR (intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance). Real-time EO/IR video, day/night operations, target tracking and identification.
    • Quick-launch and versatility. Vertical takeoff and landing, <1-minute preparation, runway-independent operation, and mission abort/return-to-base features.
    • Extended reach. Endurance of up to three hours and a range of up to 30 km, depending on payload and mission configuration.
    • Precision engagement. Options for smart munition payloads with precision super-quick impact fuzes and effective 15 m radius, plus anti-personnel and armor-piercing warheads.
    • Resilient design. Low radar cross section, GNSS-denied operation, MIL-STD-810G-qualified ground control, and operational temperature from –20 °C to +50 °C.
    • Naval and special missions. Capable of surface-mine detection, sweeping operations, and beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) intelligence gathering.

    TSR is now accepting government and defense-sector inquiries for the AVRIO Falcox and AVRIO Nebris systems. For detailed specifications, demonstrations, or procurement discussions, contact TSR.