BY Patrick C. MillerAustrian company Drone Rescue Systems has developed an emergency parachute system for the widely used DJI M600 drone. The lightweight system is designed to deploy a parachute in the event of a drone malfunction or total failure. READ MORE

BY Patrick C. MillerA 60-mile BVLOS transmission line inspection test flight was successfully conducted last month by Ameren Corp., a utility with customers in Missouri and Illinois. Black & Veatch and Collins Aerospace collaborated with Ameren on the project. READ MORE

BY Patrick C. MillerAirbus Defense and Space has opened a flight base in Western Australia for its Zephyr S high-altitude, solar-powered UAS. The base is the first operational launch site from which Airbus will fly campaigns for a variety of customers. READ MORE

BY Patrick C. MillerCan UAS flying in contested airspace with degraded communications operate effectively? Recent tests demonstrated that DARPA's Collaborative Operations in Denied Environments (CODE) technology enabled drones to function with minimal communications. READ MORE

BY Patrick C. MillerThe defense forces of Belgium and Australia have been authorized to acquire UAS designed and built by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. Belgium will negotiate to buy the SkyGuardian and Australia will purchase the armed Reaper. READ MORE

BY Patrick C. MillerLockheed Martin and Georgia Tech are exploring ways to use flexible hybrid electronics to give small UAS beyond-line-of-sight capability using satellite communications. They are members of NextFlex, an organization that advances FHE technologies. READ MORE

BY Patrick C. MillerBoeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences has unveiled Odysseus, a solar-powered, autonomous UAS capable of flying in the stratosphere for indefinite periods of time. The aircraft is designed to assist weather and climate researchers. READ MORE

BY Patrick C. MillerCustomWeather Inc. and TruWeather Solutions have formed a partnership aimed at developing micro-weather forecasts for BVLOS UAS operations. The technology will be tested in the NUAIR Alliance UAS traffic management corridor. READ MORE

BY Patrick C. MillerPrecisionHawk made its fifth acquisition of the year by purchasing Chicago-based Uplift Data Partners, which specializes in commercial drone services for the construction industry. PrecisionHawk CEO Michael Chasen says more acquisitions are planned. READ MORE

BY Patrick C. MillerFrench drone solutions supplier Delair is expanding its commercial drone operations with the acquisition of California-based Airware's key assets. The deal is expected to strengthen the company's expertise and technology across a range of industries. READ MORE

BY Insitu Inc. Insitu Inc. recently collaborated with the FAA to complete the first Type Certification Board Meeting in support of its ScanEagle 3. Four FAA teams met at Insitu's headquarters in Bingen, Washington, to review the proposed 2019 type certification. READ MORE

BY Patrick C. MillerAn optical and laser designation system made by UTC Aerospace Systems has been selected to equip the PAE ISR Resolute Eagle UAS. The TASE400 LD provides integrated onboard video processing with image stabilization and enhancement capability. READ MORE

BY Patrick C. MillerDisney Research has developed the PaintCopter, a UAV with the ability to fly autonomously while applying textured paint to 3D surfaces. Researchers believe the technology provides safety benefits at a lower cost, as well as consistent results. READ MORE

BY FLIR Systems Inc. FLIR Systems has launched the Black Hornet 3 vehicle reconnaissance system for military, government and first responder operations. The nano-drone enables users to gather information on their surroundings while remaining inside a vehicle. READ MORE

BY Patrick C. MillerGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. last week successfully completed the first flight of a second SkyGuardian MQ-9B, the remotely piloted aircraft the company says will be the first certified to fly in civil airspace. READ MORE