Delivery Drones News

Related Unmanned Systems Industry News

• January 2024: Draganfly Inc., a prominent drone solutions provider, signed a strategic pact with Mass General Brigham. The deal aims to roll out Draganfly's cutting-edge drone delivery services with Mass General Brigham's Home Hospital initiative. This collaboration is poised to revolutionize patient care by bolstering access to crucial health services, elevating the patient experience, and introducing cost-effective solutions. Draganfly's advanced drone technology will be pivotal in ensuring the swift and efficient delivery of healthcare supplies and services directly to patient's doorsteps. By joining forces, both entities underscore their commitment to infusing healthcare with innovative technologies, striving for superior outcomes, and enhancing operational efficiency to realize sustainable health management.
• May 2023: The US Marine Corps (USMC) earmarked over USD 13 million to acquire 41 tactical resupply unmanned aircraft systems (TRUAS). This allocation aligns with the ÚSMC's broader strategy to enhance logistical capabilities through unmanned aerial deliveries. The TRUAS, resembling large quadcopters, are engineered to transport payloads of up to 150 pounds across distances of nine miles. These systems boast secure payload containerization and are set to achieve initial operational capacity. Priced at a hefty USD 325 thousand per unit, the TRUAS stands out for its advanced technological features, surpassing those found in conventional commercial drones. This underscores its strategic significance in both logistical operations and battlefield resupply missions.

July 2023: Police departments in Salem, New Hampshire; Gresham, Oregon; and Luverne, Alabama, announced plans to procure drones. These drones are intended for various applications, from search and rescue operations to documenting crime scenes and even pursuing suspects.

July 2023: Transport Canada greenlighted Drone Delivery Canada Corp. (DDC) for BVLOS flights. This approval allows DDC to operate BVLOS flights in Golden Horseshoe/Southern Ontario, specifically for transporting Class 7 dangerous goods. This venture also expands on DDC's existing drone operations, which include the successful transportation of medical radioisotopes with its 13.4 km 'Care by Air' commercial drone route.

July 2023: Russia's Design Bureau of Unmanned Aircraft-Building showcased its latest innovation: the Vektor Kh-120, a lightweight micro-drone. This multi-rotor drone, weighing only 38 grams, is engineered to engage and neutralize enemy forces in sheltered positions. It is equipped with 5.45x39mm (10.2 g) and 9x19mm Luger (7.45 g) rounds, surpassing the capabilities of a traditional infantryman.

March 2023: During the PANEX-21 military exercise, Asteria Aerospace, alongside BIMSTEC Nations Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, and Thailand, showcased its expertise in micro surveillance drones with the A200-XT model. Originating from India, this drone, weighing under 2 kg, offers both day and night observation functionalities.

March 2023: UMILES UAV decided to establish its UAV performance enterprise and its Commercial Services segment in Chile. This division aims to cultivate activities involving unmanned aerial systems within the industrial domain tailored explicitly for the Chilean market.

April 2022: Colombia's Ministry of Defense strengthened the security of the Arauca department with 20 new small UAVs and drones. These units were deployed to protect the civilian population and military installations and combat armed criminal groups.

October 2023: DroneDeploy launched its new DroneDeploy platform, which enabled the user to collaborate and manage the data captured from the air to the ground, exterior, and interior.

October 2023: Verge Aero unveiled its new Verge Aero X7 drone and technological advancements in its all-in-one drone show product suite. The new upgrade aims to make it easier for more people to enter the aerial entertainment industry.

• In January 2023, Elbit Systems Ltd. announced a contract with the UK to equip the British Army with Magni-X drones. The Defence Ministry will receive the micro-unmanned aerial system as part of a transaction with the subordinate Defence Equipment and Support agency's Future Capability Group. The deal is part of the United Kingdom's efforts to expand the use of drones in the Army's Human Machine Teaming initiative.
• In May 2022, the French defense innovation agency, L'Agence de l'Innovation de Défense (AID), has issued two proposals for concepts for low-cost small attack drones. The first call is for the Larinae project, which will develop a system to neutralize targets at a range of more than 50 kilometers, and the second is for the complementing Colibri project, which will develop a system to neutralize targets in the region of contact with the enemy at a range of more than 5 kilometers.

July 2023: The US Defense Advanced Research Project Agency's (DARPA) Tactical Technology Office awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation a contract to develop an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft system capable of operating from a moving Navy ship at sea.

May 2023: Xwing was awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research Contract (SBIRC) with the US Air Force's AFWE Prime program. Under the agreement, Xwing will carry out independently conducted flight tests using its Superpilot helicopter system to improve the development of remote piloting and optimize technology for future missions. The trials will be conducted on the Cessna 208B to obtain feedback from users as quickly as possible in terms of user convenience, mission planning factors, and functions for future efforts.

July 2023: The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) expanded a contract for developing artificial intelligence (AI) driven techniques for drone sensors to Sarcos Technology and Robotics Corporation.

May 2022: Teledyne FLIR Defense was awarded a USD 14 million contract to deliver its Black Hornet 3 Personal Reconnaissance Systems (PRS) to the United States Army. The advanced nano uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) are being used to augment squad and small unit-level surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities as part of the Army’s Soldier Borne Sensor (SBS) program.

February 2023: BAE Systems Australia unveiled a new unmanned military aircraft that will be designed, manufactured, and armed in Australia. The new STRIX unmanned air system (UAS), launched at the Avalon Air Show, is capable of air-to-ground strikes and surveillance and reconnaissance.

November 2022: Chinese drone companies displayed various tactical drones at the 14th Airshow. Various UAV products were exhibited, such as the WJ-700 “Falcon” large-scale inspection and attack UAV of the Third Academy of Aerospace Science and Industry, AVIC’s Wing Loong-1E medium and low altitude UAV, LoongUAV’s Loong 4 multi-rotor precision surveillance tactical drone as well as the Rainbow-4 medium-range surveillance drone which has been developed by China Aerospace Science and Technology.

• February 2023: Austal USA delivered the US Navy its autonomous capable EPF 13 ship. Austal integrated an automated maintenance, health monitoring, and mission readiness capability into EPF 13. It will enable the vessel to operate for up to 30 days without human intervention in combination with existing highly automated hull, mechanical & electrical systems installed on EPF class vessels.
• August 2022: Avikus, a subsidiary of HD Hyundai Heavy Industries, received an autonomous navigation solution order from SK Shipping and Sinokor Merchant Marine. Under the contract, the Avikus HiNAS 2.0 autonomous navigation solution would be installed on 23 vessels, including container ships and LNG carriers.