US CBP orders 106 Teal 2 drone systems

Red Cat subsidiary Teal Drones obtained $1.8 million in contracts to supply 106 additional Teal 2 small uncrewed aerial systems (sUAS), plus spare parts and training, to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). In October 2022, CBP ordered 54 Teal drones in a separate contract worth $1 million.

Approved by the U.S. Department of Defense, the Teal 2 is equipped with Teledyne FLIR’s Hadron 640R compact dual-sensor visible light/longwave infrared camera, providing high-resolution thermal imaging. The system offers multi-vehicle control and artificial intelligence-assisted image recognition.

CBP uses the Teal 2 to provide supplemental airborne reconnaissance, surveillance, and tracking capability for U.S. field commanders and agents. https://www.cbp.gov; https://www.flir.com; https://redcat.red; https://tealdrones.com

SwissDrones receives BVLOS authorization

Global manufacturer and operator of long-range uncrewed helicopter systems for inspection, surveillance, and public safety applications, SwissDrones, was granted U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) authorization to operate SDO 50 V2 twin-rotor, single-turbine uncrewed helicopter systems beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) across the United States. The authorization allows aerial service provider Phoenix Air Unmanned (PAU), partner of SwissDrones, to broaden its capabilities in inspection, patrol, and survey missions covering extensive distances.

SwissDrones and PAU collaborated for three years to establish safe BVLOS operations, conducting numerous flight trials to enable extended-range inspection and patrol flights over electric utilities’ linear infrastructure under the same regulations as traditional, crewed aircraft.

With a maximum weight of 191 lb, the SDO 50 V2 can carry sensors weighing up to 70 lb and fly more than three hours.

The authorization establishes a clear regulatory pathway for other organizations using the same aircraft to pursue BVLOS approvals for their commercial operations. https://www.phoenixairunmanned.com; https://www.swissdrones.com

AI-enabled air vehicle undergoes tactical testing

The U.S. Air Force demonstrated artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled air combat during a flight of a Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie uncrewed air vehicle (UAV) at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida.

AI algorithms, developed and trained by the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Autonomous Air Combat Operations, were integrated into the XQ-58A. Trained through deep reinforcement learning, the AI algorithms used neural networks to fly the air vehicle against simulated opponents using simulated mission systems and simulated weapons.

A previous DOD flight of an AI-enabled, high-performance, UAV demonstrated standard aviation and navigation tasks, risk mitigation, and safety learning.

“The opportunity to fly alongside this trained AI-piloted air vehicle really set into stone this technology is very real and here to stay,” says Capt. Tyler Brown, lead test aircrew. “I feel we are at an inflection point of an exponential curve for the application of AI. It’s imperative we understand the power of AI, its strengths and weaknesses, and that it’s implemented in the right way.” https://www.afrl.af.mil