Optimizing Your Drone for BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line Of Sight) Operations

Operating a drone beyond the pilot's visual line of sight (BVLOS) presents a set of challenges that are distinct from those faced during traditional visual line of sight (VLOS) operations. BVLOS flights unlock a wealth of opportunities such as large-scale agricultural monitoring, infrastructure inspection, and long-distance delivery. However, to undertake BVLOS missions safely and effectively, the drone must be optimized to handle extended distances, communication lapses, and other related challenges. Here's a guide on how to optimize a drone for BVLOS operations:

Enhanced Communication Systems

Long-Range Transmission: Drones need a robust communication system capable of maintaining a strong signal over extended distances. Solutions like satellite communication, LTE, or dedicated RF bands can be explored.

Redundant Systems: It's wise to have a backup communication method to ensure continuous contact with the drone even if the primary system fails.

Advanced Navigation Systems

High-Quality GPS: Ensuring accurate positioning is vital. Invest in a high-quality GPS module that can provide precise and stable location data.

Obstacle Detection: Equip the drone with sensors such as LiDAR, radar, or sonar to detect and avoid obstacles, especially when flying at low altitudes.

Autonomous Operation

Waypoint Navigation: Drones should be able to follow pre-defined waypoints, allowing them to execute a mission even if communication is temporarily lost.

Fail-safes: Implement algorithms for scenarios like loss of GPS signal or low battery. The drone should be able to return home or land safely autonomously.

Extended Battery Life and Efficient Propulsion

High-capacity Batteries: Opt for batteries that provide longer flight times to cover greater distances.

Power-Efficient Motors: Efficient motors will enhance the drone’s range and endurance, making it more suitable for BVLOS.

Real-time Data Processing and Transmission

Onboard Processing: To minimize the amount of data being transmitted, employ edge computing principles where data is processed on the drone and only relevant insights are sent back.

Low-latency Transmission: Especially crucial for real-time monitoring or surveillance tasks, ensuring that the data feed has minimal delay is pivotal.

Weather Resistance

Given that BVLOS flights can span large areas, drones might encounter varying weather conditions.

Robust Build: The drone should be built to withstand changes in temperature, moisture, and wind conditions.

Thorough Testing

Before committing to extended BVLOS missions, conduct thorough testing in controlled environments. This helps identify any potential weaknesses in the system and rectify them.

Training and Simulation

Even if the drone can operate autonomously, pilots should undergo rigorous training. Using simulators can help pilots familiarize themselves with the drone's behavior during BVLOS operations without actual flight risks.

While BVLOS operations promise revolutionary applications for drones, ensuring safe and efficient flights requires meticulous planning and optimization. By attending to the mentioned aspects, operators can maximize the potential of BVLOS flights while maintaining safety and efficiency.

The Role of Drones in Military Reconnaissance: Revolutionizing Intelligence Gathering

In recent decades, drones have emerged as a game-changing technology in various fields, one of which is military reconnaissance. These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have revolutionized the way armed forces gather intelligence, offering unprecedented capabilities in terms of reach, stealth, and real-time data acquisition. This article explores the pivotal role of drones in modern military reconnaissance, examining their advantages, applications, and potential future developments.

Advantages of Drones in Military Reconnaissance

1. Unmatched Surveillance Capabilities: Drones provide a bird's-eye view of the battlefield, offering commanders a comprehensive understanding of the terrain, enemy positions, and troop movements. This vantage point allows for more informed decision-making.

2. Stealth and Reduced Risk to Personnel: Unlike traditional reconnaissance methods, which often involve sending soldiers into potentially dangerous situations, drones can operate covertly and reduce the risk to human life. This is particularly crucial in hostile environments.

3. Extended Range and Endurance: Modern military drones can cover vast distances and remain in the air for extended periods, providing continuous surveillance over areas of interest. This endurance allows for prolonged monitoring, crucial for assessing long-term strategic developments.

Applications of Military Drones in Reconnaissance

1. Target Identification and Verification: Drones play a crucial role in identifying potential targets and verifying their significance. High-resolution cameras, thermal imaging, and other sensors provide detailed imagery and data that can be used to confirm the presence of enemy forces, equipment, or installations.

2. Border and Coastal Surveillance: Drones are invaluable for monitoring borders and coastlines, aiding in the detection of unauthorized movements, smuggling activities, or potential security breaches. Their ability to cover large areas efficiently makes them indispensable in such scenarios.

3. Battle Damage Assessment (BDA): Following airstrikes or other military operations, drones can be deployed to assess the extent of damage inflicted on enemy assets. This real-time feedback is crucial for evaluating mission effectiveness and adjusting strategies as necessary.

4. Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR): Drones are a cornerstone of ISR operations, providing a constant stream of information to military intelligence units. This information ranges from troop movements to weather patterns, enabling commanders to make timely and informed decisions.

5. Search and Rescue Operations: In addition to their reconnaissance capabilities, drones are often equipped with specialized equipment like thermal cameras and infrared sensors, making them invaluable in search and rescue missions, especially in challenging terrains or disaster-stricken areas.

Future Developments and Challenges

1. Autonomous Intelligence: Advancements in artificial intelligence and machine learning are enabling drones to process and analyze data in real-time. This could lead to the development of autonomous drones capable of making critical decisions on their own, further enhancing their reconnaissance capabilities.

2. Counter-Drone Technology: As the use of drones in military reconnaissance continues to grow, so does the need for effective countermeasures against enemy UAVs. Research into anti-drone technology is ongoing to mitigate potential security threats posed by hostile drones.

3. Ethical and Legal Considerations: The use of military drones raises important ethical and legal questions, particularly regarding civilian casualties, privacy, and the implications of remote warfare. Striking a balance between security interests and international norms remains a significant challenge.

Drones have emerged as a transformative force in military reconnaissance, offering unmatched capabilities in terms of surveillance, stealth, and endurance. Their applications span from target identification to border surveillance, making them indispensable tools for armed forces around the world. As technology continues to evolve, drones are poised to play an even more significant role in shaping the future of military intelligence gathering. However, it is imperative that ethical and legal considerations remain at the forefront of these advancements to ensure responsible and effective use of this powerful technology.

How Ukraine created an 'Army of Drones' to take on Russia

In the sprawling farmland south of Kyiv, where the sunflowers are just beginning to sprout, Ukraine's drone community gathered to show how the military is upgrading what's already one of its most effective weapons of the war.

Drones are buzzing in every direction on a sultry summer's day, as if someone poked a hornet's nest. And that's exactly the vibe Ukraine's Army of Drones is trying to create.

A combined effort of the military, the government and private groups, the Army of Drones has turned into a substantial military force. It has enlisted actor Mark Hamill, of Star Wars fame, as a spokesman, as well as other celebrity ambassadors. The overall effort is led by the country's 32-year-old deputy prime minister, Mykhailo Fedorov.

"In order to win in this fast-paced technological war, the government needs to think and act as a technology company, to be agile, to make fast decisions and to move faster," Fedorov said.

He spoke to a gathering that included Ukrainian drone makers and private groups that are training Ukrainian troops how to become drone pilots.

The Russians have a much larger and more powerful air force, with its fighter jets outnumbering those in Ukraine by an estimated margin of 10-to-1.

But so far, the Ukrainians have mostly neutralized this threat in two key ways.

First, Ukraine's air defenses shot down so many Russian fighter jets in the early stages of the war that Russia rarely sends them into Ukrainian air space anymore. Russia is believed to have more than 1,000 fighter jets that it has essentially grounded because of the risk to the planes and pilots.

Second, the Ukrainians have employed drones creatively for both reconnaissance and attacks. The drones have nowhere near the firepower of fighter jets. Hence, Ukraine has sought U.S. F-16s since the war began, and now has pledges that it will receive them in the coming months. Still, the drones have allowed Ukraine to surveil and harass Russian troops in ways that would otherwise not be possible.

Much of the current talk about weapons focuses on big-ticket items the U.S. and other Western countries are shipping to Ukraine. Forty-ton tanks. Huge artillery guns. Massive anti-aircraft systems.

But Ukrainians are fighting effectively with weapons that are small enough to hold in one hand.

With Ukrainian government support, private groups have trained 10,000 drone pilots in the past year, and now plan to train 10,000 more in the next six months.

"Drones are critically important for us. They're critical to our combat advantage, and that's why we're scaling this," Federov said.

Anton Frolov heads one of these private drone training programs, called Raven, which creates military pilots with a course that lasts just five days.

"You can learn to fly in one day," said Frolov. "But you have to fly in difficult conditions. You have to know how frequencies work, how the enemy is fighting against you."

The Ukrainians have received cutting-edge military drones from the U.S. and Turkey.

But mostly they rely on popular Chinese models built for civilians. They can be bought straight off the internet for $2,000 or less.

The Ukrainians primarily use the drones for reconnaissance, one of the reasons they often seem a step or two ahead of the Russians on the battlefield.

But Ukrainians also rig the drones with a claw to carry a small explosive, like a grenade. It can be dropped with great precision into a Russian trench, or even into the open top hatch of a tank.

The Russians are fighting back with electronic jamming that cuts the signal between the Ukrainian drone operator and his drone. It's become a huge problem, Frolov said.

"At the very beginning of this war, the flight distance of the civilian drone was five to seven kilometers (three to four miles)," he said. "Right now, we have only two kilometers (just over a mile) because of jamming system, because of this system that's getting tougher and tougher against us."

He also said that Ukrainian operators can only keep a drone aloft for a couple minutes before the Russians find it and knock it out.

Ukraine, in turn, says it's working on software that can prevent Russian electronic jamming.

Russian drone use has been more limited and less effective than Ukraine's. In recent months, Russia has relied heavily on military drones from Iran, called Shaheds. By one recent count, Ukraine has shot down more than 900 of the 1,200 Shahed drones fired by Russia, a rate of more than 75%.

Meanwhile, Ukraine is also trying to ramp up drone production at home, which is still limited.

"The demand from our military is much bigger than the manufacturing capacity for Ukraine," said Maksym Muzyka, whose company makes an attack drone called the Punisher. "So right now, till the end of the year, we will be completely full with orders."

As Ukraine to scrambles to get as many drones as it can, one result is that the military now has a hodgepodge of systems.

"They're buying dozens of different types of drones from different manufacturers. It's a nightmare from the point of view of logistics, of training, of usage, of service," said Muzyka.

But somehow, it's been working. Most importantly, he said, drones are saving the lives of Ukrainian soldiers, doing the dangerous reconnaissance work troops had to do in the past.

Original article

Australia Introduces 40 Question BVLOS Exam for Ops in Non-Controlled Airspace

Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has introduced a new exam to allow Beyond Visual Line of Sight operation in non-controlled airspace for remote pilots. This 40 question, multiple-choice exam, which covers content relating to BVLOS flights, aeronautics, instrumentation, and human factors, can be taken instead of the Instrument Rating Exam which was previously required. Australia, the first country to enact drone-specific legislation in 2002, has a comprehensive licensing program for drone operators that includes both Remotely Piloted Aircraft Operator certificates for corporations seeking to operate drones commercially, as well as a Remote Pilot’s License for the drone operators themselves, but BVLOS operations have been hampered by the IREX requirement established by 101.400(b). The new exam, which covers a narrower range of material, will allow for more Remote Pilot licensees to conduct BVLOS operations without requiring the specialized knowledge necessary for IREX certification.

This move has been welcomed by figures in the Australian drone industry as an important step forward in the regulatory structure around UAVs in the unique Australian market, which features diverse operating environments and has massive potential for growth as mining, agricultural, and industrial companies begin incorporating UAV technology into their operations. As CEO Philip van der Burg of Carbonix, a major Australian drone manufacturer, said in a statement, “Previously, the only way to enable BVLOS operations was to have an IREX qualified pilot either operating the UAS or as a supervising remote pilot. The pathway to having passed the IREX exam was long and arduous, requiring weeks if not months of studying complex commercial manned aircraft aviation procedures to pass an exam that had little to do with BVLOS operations.” He highlighted the introduction of the new exam as an example of CASA’s growing ability to adapt to the changing needs within the UAV space, a growing area of interest for aviation regulators worldwide.

While the new exam should make BVLOS certification and licensure simpler for remote pilots, Australian companies interested in BVLOS operations still are required to receive approval from CASA to operate in a specific area here.

Original article

Remote ID Ready

Remote ID, the FAA-mandated flight identification requirement, is something we at Applied Aeronautics have spent a lot of time planning on deploying. With any new hardware, an expected set of challenges are always present. But, when regulation becomes part of the process, ensuring that the necessary functionality is correct and that it is following the rules and regulations needs additional attention and care.

Starting December 16th, 2022 all aircraft sold to US customers will be required to have an onboard Remote ID module, as mandated by the FAA. While this doesn’t affect non-US aircraft, this isn’t as easy as a simple standalone unit to add in. The module needs to be tightly integrated from a software and hardware perspective to ensure that several necessary tamper-resistant safeguards are in place and following AC89-2, ASTM F3586-22, and F3411-22A.

As an aircraft manufacturer, we are required to meet these requirements, and as such, compliant aircraft must be unable to operate without the module.

We will continue to test this over the next couple of months to ensure that before the FAA deadline, all new aircraft have the onboard modules, and the aircraft, not just the onboard modules, are compliant.

Small UAS and the Modern Warfighter

As security threats become increasingly decentralized, small, affordable, and scalable drones prove integral to the modern warfighter's success and safety. These platforms can perform complex tasks with minimal human intervention, significantly increasing protection to the warfighter. This makes them powerful force-multiplier in modern warfare.

Key Advantages of Small UAS

Improved Surveillance: Drones enable long-range missions to be performed with relative ease while keeping military personnel safely out of harm's way. 

Real-Time Insights: Long-range drones like the Albatross UAV can provide near-continuous real-time information on the enemy's position and movements. 

Situational Awareness: Small UAS provide real-time information about terrain, enemy positions, and other shifting variables. The ability to see what is and isn't nearby helps the modern warfighter make informed decisions about proceeding. This is critical because the ability to know what is and isn't about to happen can be the difference between life and death in combat zones. 

Battle Assessment Damage: Small UAS can help determine the amount of damage in the aftermath of an attack. 

Critical Supply Transport: With a 4kg payload capacity, drones like the Albatross UAV can be used to carry light-weight supplies like medicines and tools between locations. This significantly minimizes service personnel risk in dangerous combat situations. 

Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS): An Introduction

Did you know that most commercial drone operations in the USA today are conducted within the Visual Line of Sight of the Remote Pilot in Command? In fact, no individual or organization can fly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) in U.S. airspace without first obtaining a waiver from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). What this means is that we’ve not yet realized the full potential or cost and time-saving benefits of drone technology here in the USA. The ability to operate BVLOS will undoubtedly open up innumerable opportunities for businesses to streamline their operations across a wide range of industries. So what does it mean to fly BVLOS, and how can an organization go about getting certified to do so?

What is BVLOS?

Under the current regulatory framework, the FAA requires pilots to “see and avoid” other aircraft. In traditional manned aviation, this is easy enough to achieve by simply having a pilot onboard scanning the horizon for other vehicles that may be close by. The same can’t be said for unmanned aviation, where the Remote Pilot in Command (RPIC) is on the ground instead of onboard. For this reason, the current FAA rules dictate that drone operations be conducted within “visual line of sight” of the RPIC, unaided by any technology other than prescription glasses or contact lenses. The way around this is to obtain an appropriate waiver from the FAA to fly BVLOS, which means beyond the RPIC’s direct line of sight.

What are the benefits of flying BVLOS?

Over the past decade, drones have proven themselves an invaluable asset for data collection and intelligence across the spectrum from agriculture to public safety. These tools have allowed us to gather data more quickly, with higher precision, and with less expense. But we would argue that the actual benefits of drone technology have not yet been realized because of the requirement to fly within the Visual Line of Sight of the RPIC. The true potential of the drone industry lies in the ability to fly Beyond the Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). This is especially true for long-range missions with significant data collection requirements like asset inspection, reconnaissance, and search and rescue. BVLOS capabilities will allow the businesses to cover more ground within a shorter period, thus significantly improving ROI for commercial operators.

What rules do I need to follow to fly BVLOS?

To conduct commercial BVLOS operations in the U.S., businesses must first obtain a waiver under Part 107 from the FAA (107.31). To be granted a waiver, operators need to show the FAA that their missions can be conducted safely without endangering other aircraft or people and property on the ground. The FAA also requires that:

(a) With vision that is unaided by any device other than corrective lenses, the remote pilot in command, the visual observer (if one is used), and the personmanipulating the flight control of the small unmanned aircraft system must be able to see the unmanned aircraft throughout the entire flight in order to:

(1) Know the unmanned aircraft’s location;

(2) Determine the unmanned aircraft’s attitude, altitude, and direction of flight;

(3) Observe the airspace for other air traffic or hazards; and

(4) Determine that the unmanned aircraft does not endanger the life or property of another.

Most operators achieve this by having a visual observer (VO) maintain visual contact with the drone or by utilizing detect-and-avoid technology onboard — for instance, the Iris Automation Casia system. Once the waiver is granted, the operator would be able to fly their drone beyond the VLOS of the Remote Pilot in Command.

The waiver process has multiple components, including:

1. Determining that the operator has sufficient risk mitigation strategies and procedures in place

2. Demonstrating that appropriate technology will be used and finally that the operators have been sufficiently trained to conduct safe operations BVLOS.

To learn more, please visit: faa.gov

4 Ways Drones are Helping the Oil and Gas Industry

The Albatross UAV

With adoption rates on the rise, drones and are making a splash in the Oil and Gas sector, providing improved communications, safer work enviornments and more accurate data alll while saving companies both time and money. Below we discuss the primary ways, drones can streamline operations in the indsutry.

More Accurate Data

Drones are a versatile platform that can be outfitted with a wide range of cameras and sensors that can collect vital data in real time. Businesses can easily integrate digitized mapping information and other data from drone flights into analytical and AI solutions for advanced processing. For example, software solutions use topographical and geological data gathered by drones to create models that help identify promising oil and gas drill sites.

Not only do drones gather information more efficiently than human inspectors, the digital data enables employees to make better, data-driven decisions. This drastically reduces downtime, catches conflicts and issues faster, and helps keep your operation running smoothly.

Reduced Costs

Inspecting O&G infrastructure and gathering critical data with drones cost substantially less than traditional inspection methods that require ground crews or manned flights. Drones are tough birds and can withstand harsh temperatures and other conditions. They get much closer to infrastructure than a helicopter or airplane, providing better visuals and data. Drones also minimize downtime by avoiding the need to shut down operations for inspections and by catching leaks and other maintenance issues early, lowering remediation costs.

Drones enable employees to conduct inspection and monitoring tasks without exposing themselves to the typical dangers of O&G operations. As a result, work hours lost due to injuries decline, medical expenses and insurance costs shrink, and the number of workplace events reported to OSHA and other regulatory agencies drop.

Improved Safety

Manual infrastructure inspections are often dangerous. For example, inspectors at wells and offshore rigs must climb up and down ladders and along catwalks — and even use cranes or harnesses and rappelling equipment to reach equipment. Inspectors sometimes must work in close proximity to harmful chemicals and dangerous machinery.

Drones perform inspections without risking employee safety. They’re particularly useful for inspections after blowouts or natural disasters — or when sending a ground crew to a site may be difficult, costly or unsafe.

Superior Communications

The remote nature of oil and gas work often requires operators to communicate with workers on sites around the world. This can present a challenge to managers and engineers working from the headquarters and collaborating with the boots on the ground. But drones can make things easier. Workers on the ground can fly drones on their site and upload the data to the cloud where back office managers can review and coordinate further inspection or follow ups — all without leaving the desk chair. Using software such as DroneDeploy makes it easy for the back office to markup maps or drop in annotations in real time so that inspectors can check on pressure points, leaks, or other potential issues.

Check out www.appliedaeronautics.com to learn more about drone technology.

Original post via Drone Deploy