In partnership with NOAA Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (HIHWNMS), Oceans Unmanned, Inc. has launched the freeFLY Program -- a new initiative using sUAS to provide aerial support for large whale entanglement response efforts.
The goals of the Network are to safely free endangered humpback whales and other marine animals from life threatening entanglements, while also collecting crucial information. The addition of aerial imagery provided by on-scene, vessel-launched UAS will provide responders “improved situational awareness and increased safety for both the animal and responder.” The U.S. Department of the Interior will soon have the use of up to 50 Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) fixed wing UAS. The small aircraft support DOI’s land stewardship responsibilities with advancements in technologies that improve resource management and facilitate emergency response. This new tool was made possible after a lengthy process to develop mission performance requirements and select the most useful type of aircraft to meet the needs. A contract was awarded to American small business Birdseyeview Aerobotics of Andover, New Hampshire to produce and train on the new UAS. BMW is collaborating with the Drone Racing
League (DRL) to further develop high-performance racing drones in the BMW Group wind tunnel and bring a professional drone race to BMW Welt. DRL organises the largest global drone racing series, the DRL Allianz World Championship, in which elite FPV (First Person View) pilots race custom-made DRL drones through complex, three-dimensional courses in iconic venues across the world. As the Official Partner, BMW is bringing the second to last race of the 2018 season to Munich on July 28, taking place at BMW Welt. All this -- and MORE in today's episode of Airborne-Unmanned!!!
Airborne-Unmanned 03.20.18 is chock full of info in this Weekly News Episode, Tuesday, March 20th, 2018... Presented by Aero-TV veteran videographer and Airborne Hosts Brianne Cross, Christopher Odom, and Laura Hutson, and is supported by ANN CEO/Editor-In-Chief Jim Campbell, Chief Videographer Nathan Cremisino, and Aero-Journalist Tom Patton, this episode covers:
- Oceans Unmanned's Freefly Program Uses UAS For Large Whale Entanglement Response Efforts
- Interior Expands Capabilities with VTOL And Fixed Wing UAVs
- BMW Brings The Drone Racing League To BMW Welt In Munich
- AEA Week 2018 Schedule
- Anthropology Professor Deploys Drone To Combat Hunger In Africa
- Airspace Systems Raises $20M For Drone Defense System
- Kansas State Polytechnic Expands Its Small Drone Training To Denver
Get Comprehensive, Real-Time, 24/7 coverage of the latest aviation and aerospace stories anytime, at aero-news.net. And be sure to join us again next week for the next edition of "Airborne-Unmanned" here on Aero-TV. Thanks for watching. See you, again, next week!
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