Thu, Mar 17, 2022
North Dakotan BVLOS Network to Serve as Incubator for Automated Cessna Testing, Development
Reliable Robotics has begun working alongside Dakotan drone services specialist Vantis in their efforts to advance "repeatable, scalable and economically viable operations of uncrewed aircraft systems".
The company has made a name for itself with footage of its remotely piloted Cessna 172 and 208 prototypes, demonstrating the capability to retrofit older, more affordable general aviation aircraft. Their use as an uncrewed, fixed-wing, full-size aircraft brings with it a few operational requirements that make the scale of testing more demanding than a smaller, VTOL UAV. The partnership with Vantis will provide access to the entirety of the North Dakota UAS network and test range, allowing for a much more effective developmental process for Reliable's fleet of aircraft.
Vantis is the recipient of more than $48 million in funding from the North Dakota legislature to build a statewide UAS network for commercial use, creating what's increasingly proving itself one of the best regions on earth for drone research and development. The network will provide Reliable Robotics with a wide ranging beyond-visual-line-of-sight test range, especially handy for their much longer-legged aircraft. The administrator of Vantis, the Northern Plains UAS Test Site, said the partnership will allow the operation of remote pilot operations across North Dakota.
Trevor Woods, executive director of the site, called the partnership "exciting and mutually beneficial," bringing together 2 large UAS operations at a scale not commonly seen in the young industry. Robert Rose, Reliable Robotics CEO, affirmed the idea, saying "We have a long-standing relationship with NPUASTS and share a vision of enabling UAS and remotely piloted operations at scale across North Dakota."
The Vantis brand should benefit from the association, spreading their name as the premier location for drone development. "North Dakota has invested in the creation and build-out of Vantis in order to enable commercial UAS flights that are widespread and commonplace,” said Jim Cieplak, pProgram manager. “Our collaboration with Reliable Robotics will build towards that goal and prove the viability of Vantis in commercial use cases.”
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