This week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a task order contract to the New York UAS Test Site for an unmanned aircraft system (UAS or drone) integration project. The project is designed to assist in the development of a UAS traffic management (UTM) system and to promote the safe operation of high-volume drone operations.
Drones
Remote ID Ruling For FAA in RaceDayQuads Suit
RaceDayQuads, a racing drone retailer based in Orlando, Florida, and Tyler Brennan, a drone operator (collectively, Petitioners), filed a Petition for Review of the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Remote Identification (Remote ID) Rule for drones with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit. This week, the Court ruled in favor of the FAA.
New Survey Shows that Americans are Ready for More Deliveries by Drone
Auterion, a drone software company, commissioned a survey from the market research company, Propeller Insights, of 1,022 adults. The survey was gender-balanced and distributed across age groups from 18 to 65+, living in rural, suburban, and city environments in the United States, and was conducted in May 2022.
In the report summarizing the survey, “Consumer…
Public-Safety Drones Specialist Launches Humanitarian Rescue Program
BRINC, a public-safety drone specialist based in Las Vegas, Nevada, announced the formation this week of the BRINC Global Rescue Network, a program committed to aiding in global humanitarian efforts. The network includes 24 public-safety professionals, military veterans and current and former drone racing league professionals. The team has been deployed to over 55 countries.…
North Carolina to Provide Long-Range Health Care Deliveries by Drone
This week, North Carolina announced that it will begin long-range health care deliveries by drone in an effort to expand on-demand health care and improve the patient experience in the state. A distribution center will be set up in Kannapolis, North Carolina, where Novant Health, Magellan Rx Management, and Cardinal Health will work collaboratively with…
China Launches First Crewless Drone Carrier
Last week, China announced its launching of the world’s first crewless drone carrier, which operates using artificial intelligence to navigate open water autonomously. The Chinese government has said that this vessel will be used as a maritime research tool, but many skeptics suggest that it could also be used as a military vessel.
The vessel…
Zipline Announces New Drone Detection and Avoidance System
This week, Zipline, a California-based automated logistics company that designs, manufactures, and operates drones to deliver vital medical products, announced its new Detection and Avoidance (DAA) system for drones. This is a first for the drone industry and huge step towards more widespread use of drones for deliveries in our national airspace. The DAA system…
Irish Aviation Authority Prosecutes Drone Operator for Illegal Use and Public Safety Risk
In a first of its kind prosecution, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) successfully prosecuted a drone operator for a safety violation while flying a drone outside of a former Israeli embassy during a public demonstration. The incident occurred in May 2021, when the operator allegedly operated the drone in violation of IAA regulations in order…
U.S. Navy Tests Unmanned Aerial Vehicles at Sea
The U.S. Navy will begin testing logistics drones on an aircraft carrier to see if the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) is practical in this environment. These drones are capable are carrying up to a 50-pound payload and can fly about 200 miles. This testing is in response to the needs of the Military…
Texas Drone Law Unconstitutional
U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman struck down a Texas drone law (one of the most restrictive in the U.S.), for violating the First Amendment’s protections of freedom of speech and the press. While there have been other cases in which the court has struck down similar laws in municipalities, this is the first time that…