Texas A&M University System’s Post

Some cool UAS (Uncrewed Aircraft System) stuff happening in North Dakota with Grand Sky and United States Department of Defense. Senator Hoeven is standing in front of NASA Ames Research Center software, so I had no choice but to reshare this one! Bonus that he doesn't look unhappy! The software on the center screen is NASA's XTMClient. It's a versatile front end for various services supporting UAS Traffic Management (UTM) work. Behind the scenes the NASA UAS Service Supplier (NUSS) is connected to this frontend and helps researchers test concepts related to UTM and more generally XTM (eXtensible Traffic Management). So many acronyms! For extra brownie points, XTMClient leverages NASA WorldWind as its map component, allowing for clean 2D maps, but also 3D visualization when needed. Neat! The testing we've supported with DoD over the past several years has lead to the development and implementation of operational DoD systems. Excited to have NASA continue supporting fellow federal agencies on their UTM journey!

Security Technology - In line with our smarter and innovative security technologies strategy, a day spent at DroneX 2024 was very beneficial - researching Beyond Visual Line of Sight Operations, Drone Management Software and Counter Drone Technology

Modifying UDZ Grenade Fuzes for Use in Improvised Loitering Munitions, Ukraine In April 2024, a Russian manual was published online with instructions on how to modify a UDZ mechanism – originally an all-ways fuze for grenades – into an instant impact-detonating mechanism for payloads of FPV racing drone-based improvised loitering munitions. The manual contains a detailed explanation for modifying the mechanism by changing the safety delay and the mechanism, as well as details for installing the payload on the drone. In addition, the manual details how to disassemble different types of ammunition fuzes, whose warheads may be used as the main payload in weaponized UAVs, or for other purposes.   Get the full report: https://lnkd.in/d7c98DtN

Check out today’s show highlight from AeroGear Sales Rep Jim Falasco, who is representing our team at the XPONENTIAL Show 2024 in San Diego: “Part of this year’s XPONETIAL 24 is meaningfully live demos. Flying drones inside shows zero, while flying outside in a real world  scenario means everything. The demonstration area is the channel that borders North Island Naval Air Station. When carriers of the Pacific Fleet return from deployment, their air wings off load onto the base to continue operations while their carrier is overhauled.  The vessel in the picture that is the grayish dot generating the wake is watching the demonstrations to ensure there will be no incursion into the NAS. AeroGear Telemetry will further inform on this topic, but for now, I would like to highlight that when I asked, ‘what are you doing for remote ID?’ the vendor answered, ‘nothing.’ So basically he is saying that in every harbor we sail into there could be a nautical version of #tower22.” To that end, if you’re at XPONENTIAL, please visit the Sagetech Avionics, Inc. Avionics at booth 3437 and learn more on this topic and others! 👍 #xponential24 #xponential2024 #aerogear #telemetry #aerotech #drones

Reminder as we move into the peak burn period of the day, please do not fly drones or UAS (Unmanned Aircraft Systems) in or near any wildfires. If aviation assets are being utilized all aircraft will be grounded until the air space is clear. In Kansas, time is critical when suppressing wildfires. Grounding aircraft could mean the difference between a large fire and a catastrophic fire. #doyourpart #kswildfire #FireSeason2024

Should be very interesting.

A short demonstration of an octree-based movement system I developed for flying enemies. The main function being to allow for complex movement patterns like flying between tight gaps and over / under obstacles. Each element in the octree is flagged as traversable or intraversable and this information is used to create paths for the flying enemy to follow. The line in the video being the path this drone followed to reach its destination!

It's exciting to see new opportunities emerge for larger-class UAS that are not specifically focused on the AAM space. I expect that public safety and emergency services will continue to serve as the tip of the spear for these types of operations.

Did you know that the MOSSOS D`ESQUADRA has built its own drone unit to patrol the city of Barcelona? Joan Xiberta, Police Officer at the Mossos d’Esquadra, reveals how his police unit of 12 officers utilises drones in a city of 1.5 million people. They use drone operations primarily to counteract protests, aid with demonstrations, find criminals, and assist in any other instances where a high volume of people are involved. Their drones’ ability to provide live feedback and access difficult-to-reach areas can drastically improve situational awareness, allowing for quicker responses and more informed decision-making. Additionally, the drones, which are equipped with thermal imaging, can assist in night operations or environments obscured by smoke or debris, making them indispensable in search and rescue missions. As drone technology continues to evolve, we can expect their integration into public safety measures to deepen, driven by continuous innovations in drone autonomy, communication systems, and data processing capabilities. This technological shift is paving the way for a future where drones are central to the strategy of first responders, enhancing their ability to safeguard public safety in increasingly efficient and impactful ways. Joan believes that police forces around the world should be more open to using drone technology to assist in their operations, as he has done with his unit in the city of Barcelona. He expects that in five years, we will be able to see the sky full of drones helping first responders. Watch the full Policing Aerial Cities Panel from last year’s Aerial Cities 2023: https://lnkd.in/dMvhYRyV Join our invite-only VIP event this November: https://lnkd.in/dgYsKgE2 #DronePatrol #MossosdEsquadra #Barcelona #PublicSafety #DroneTechnology #ThermalImaging #DisasterManagement #SearchAndRescue #PolicingAerialCities #InnovativePolicing #DroneOperations #FutureOfPolicing #AerialCitiesConference

As you may have heard, the problem with uavs at the battlefield is the ease with which the russians can jam their radio signals, causing missing targets or crash. Doodle Labs offers anti-jamming technology for use by Ukraine and allied nations. Sense solution provides the drones with frequency agility, the ability of a radio system to quickly shift its operating frequency. War in Ukraine at this article has been referred as the world’s first drone war. Never thought we could get this weird status... https://lnkd.in/dNTPFYVJ