Around the Commercial Drone Industry: Improved ADS-B Transceiver, New Public Safety Program, Counter-UAS College Program
AI Analysis
The article highlights advancements in the commercial drone industry, including a new ADS-B transceiver by uAvionix for UK operations, a public safety program by AirData, and a counter-UAS training program at Warren County Community College.
Key Takeaways
- uAvionix launched a new ADS-B transceiver for UK BVLOS operations.
- AirData expanded its platform for public safety drone use.
- Warren County Community College introduced a Counter-UAS operations program.
- The ADS-B transceiver simplifies compliance with UK CAA regulations.
- The counter-UAS course addresses potential drone threats.
Why It Matters
These developments indicate a growing emphasis on integrating drones into public safety and addressing potential threats posed by drones. The introduction of specialized training programs highlights the need for skilled professionals in counter-UAS operations, reflecting the increasing importance of drone security in both civilian and defense sectors.
This week’s news round up looks at a new ADS-B receiver from uAvionix, a new public safety program by AirData, and a new counter-drone training program at Warren County Community College.
A leading aviation communications company, uAvionix, launched their new ping978EC 978MHz UAT ADS-B transceiver. Designed specifically for operation in the United Kingdom, it is designed to comply with the nations latest Civil Aviation Authority electronic conspicuity requirements for BVLOS operations.
This new transceiver is set to make operations simpler.
“To broadcast ADS-B using ping978EC, UK operators need an Ofcom UAS Operator Radio Licence but they no longer need to apply to CAA for an ICAO 24-bit Aircraft Address. Instead, as required by CAA 978MHz UAT ADS-B regulations, each time it is powered on and gains a GPS fix, ping978EC dynamically generates a unique temporary non-ICAO Self-Assigned 24-bit Aircraft Address.”
Seeing the growth of drone use in public safety sectors, AirData expanded their platform out to serve that sector specifically. The company provides real-time flight data and post flight analysis.
The platform “automatically records flight paths, timestamps, pilot data, and mission details, while also supporting compliance reporting, live streaming, and public-facing flight record portals for community transparency.” This is already in use by a few major police departments including the Chula Vista, Sacramento, Huntsville, and Las Vegas police departments.
This tool is especially important for the community members where these flights are happening. It gives them access to see what flights are happening in their cities and to create a sense of trust between themselves and their public safety team.
Drone’s have gained popularity over the years for many great reasons, but in the wrong hands, they can be quite dangerous. Understanding the gravity of that potential situation, Warren County Community College added a Counter-UAS operations program to their curriculum. The course will be available next fall through their WarrenUAS program.
“Our mission at WarrenUAS is to meet the need for professionals who can develop, maintain and pilot drones safely and effectively, but we also want to address the rare but serious threats they can pose.” Said Will Austin, president at Warren County Community College.
The course will be taught by Brandon Youngblood, vice president for government programs at Spatial Persistent Software and L. Scott Parker, who served as the chief of UAS security at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.
Erin Sewall is the Content Specialst for Commercial UAV News and Expo. Prior to joining Diversified Communications, Erin contributed to news sources for a major outdoor retail company. Erin graduated from the University of Maine with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. In her spare time, she enjoys hiking, horseback riding, and reading. She is a Maine native, and currently resides in Portland, Maine.
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