Swift’s SULE UAS wins NASA SBIR award

Swift Engineering won a Phase II award in the NASA-sponsored Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program for the Swift Ultra Long Endurance (SULE) high-altitude platform systems (HAPS) capability demonstration.

HAPS platforms offer advantages such as consistent data collection from the stratosphere, useful for monitoring ecological changes, climate patterns, and emergency management. Swift is designing, fabricating, and flight testing the SULE UAS, targeting 30-day endurance. Last year, SULE achieved a milestone altitude of 55,904ft on a 24-hour flight. https://swiftengineering.com

FAA releases proposed rule on UAS BVLOS ops

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued its Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) regulating operation of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) at low altitudes beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS). The proposed rule aims to provide a predictable and clear pathway for safe, routine, and scalable UAS operations including package delivery, agriculture, aerial surveying, civic interest, operations training, demonstration, recreation, and flight testing. The rule includes detailed requirements for drone manufacturing, operations, keeping drones safely separated from other aircraft, operational authorizations and responsibility, security, information reporting, and record keeping. Information on the rule is available at https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/beyond-visual-line-sight-bvlos.

AIRO to expand US manufacturing

Growing global demand for its RQ-35 Heidrun intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) drone is prompting AIRO to expand its U.S. footprint with the addition of a new manufacturing and engineering development facility.

The planned U.S. facility will enable AIRO to scale production efficiently, compete for American-made defense and commercial opportunities, and serve as a hub for future innovation.

“Like our current manufacturing facilities in the U.S. and Europe, which are AS9100-certified, our intent is for this new site to meet the same rigorous aerospace quality standards,” says AIRO CEO Joe Burns. https://theairogroup.com/drones

Ondas’ American Robotics to manufacture drones in Michigan

Ondas Autonomous Systems (OAS)’ Maryland-based business unit American Robotics plans to partner with Detroit Manufacturing Systems (DMS) to support its U.S. manufacturing and supply chain operations. DMS will serve as contract manufacturer and supply chain manager for American Robotics’ FAA type-certified autonomous drones in the U.S. and export markets. Manufacturing and assembly are to take place through DMS’ Kinetyc advanced manufacturing operations in Wixom, Michigan. https://www.dmsna.com; https://kinetyc.com; https://www.ondas.com/american-robotics