Up and Soaring - UAS

Large, small UAS demonstrate firefighting

A team of Lockheed Martin and Kaman unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) successfully demonstrated the ability to aid in firefighting operations. During the demonstration, the Lockheed Martin 5 lb Indago unmanned quad rotor identified hot spots, and provided data to an operator, who then directed a Kaman K-MAX helicopter to drop more than 24,000 lb of water onto the fire over the span of 1 hour.

The K-MAX autonomously dipped water from a pond and delivered it to the fire. Outfitted with an advanced mission suite by Lockheed Martin, the twin-rotor K-MAX used its electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) camera to locate hot spots and designate the location to its operator for water drops. www.lockheedmartin.com

Next-gen ScanEagle

The next-generation ScanEagle 2 platform leverages lessons learned from more than 800,000 operational hours. ScanEagle 2 provides increased payload options, a more robust navigation system, a fully digital video system, and a new propulsion system – the first reciprocating internal combustion propulsion system designed and manufactured specifically for small-unmanned-aircraft-systems-class vehicles. The platform also features an open-architecture ground control system and shares a launch-and-recovery system with Integrator, Insitu’s other unmanned platform. www.insitu.com

First operational MQ-8C delivered

Northrop Grumman Corp. has delivered the first operational MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter to the U.S. Navy. The MQ-8C is an upgraded version of the existing MQ-8B Fire Scout using a larger airframe. It can fly nearly twice as long and carry three times more intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance payloads.

“The test program will run through the summer as we expect these aircraft to be ready for operations by year’s end,” said George Vardoulakis, Northrop Grumman’s vice president for medium-range tactical systems.

After ship-board flight tests, the Navy will assess the system for operational use.

Northrop Grumman is under contract to build 19 MQ-8C Fire Scouts, including two test aircraft. www.northropgrumman.com

FAA grants more commercial UAS exemptions

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently granted regulatory exemptions for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations to companies representing several industries that promise to benefit from UAS technology.

The six companies that received exemptions want to fly UAS for aerial surveying, construction site monitoring, oil rig flare stack inspections, precision agriculture, and real estate photography. The FAA earlier granted exemptions to seven film and video production companies.

Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx found that the UAS in the proposed operations do not need an FAA-issued certificate of airworthiness because they do not pose a threat to national airspace users or national security.

The firms will operate UAS weighing less than 55 lb, keep the UAS within line of sight at all times, must obtain a certificate of waiver or authorization (COA) that ensures the airspace for their operations is safe, and will take steps to see and avoid other aircraft. Additionally, the COAs will mandate flight rules and timely reporting of any accident or incidents.

As of January, the FAA had received 214 requests for exemptions from commercial entities. www.faa.gov