Month: May 2020

SAM IS ....
The UK Drones Pathfinder Programme announces new Pathfinder led by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

A ground-breaking new project announced today (12th May) will allow the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to regularly and routinely use drones, to carry out its time critical, reactive search and rescue, and international counter pollution obligations.

 

The MCA Drone Demonstration and Development Pathfinder aims to explore and develop the safe use of drones Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) through demonstration of drones such as the Hermes 900 in all classes of airspace.

 

The MCA will deliver this project by working in partnership with Elbit Systems UK, Inzpire and Aviation Systems Group (ASG) and through close co-operation with the CAA.

Flight trials of the Hermes 900 are designed to demonstrate the safe use of drones in unsegregated airspace and will be conducted from West Wales Airport in late Summer 2020. The MCA Drone Demonstration and Development Pathfinder seeks to demonstrate the use of Hermes 900 and Skylark I-LEX drones in the agency’s life-saving work and will explore ways to increase the efficiency, effectiveness and safety of staff.

 

The project is in alignment with the UK Drones Pathfinder Programme, which is sponsored by the Department for Transport (DfT) and takes a phased approach to achieving routine use of drones within the UK, identifying and overcoming the technical, operational, and commercial barriers for bringing new BVLOS services to the UK. The DfT has now confirmed that funding for the Pathfinder Programme will be extended to cover the 2020-21 period.

 

Transport Minister Rachael Maclean MP said:

“This ground-breaking project could mean that our fantastic search and rescue teams, who save lives 24 hours a day, seven days a week, can cover a wider search area, pick up more incidents and tend to these quickly and safely.

 

“Going beyond search and rescue, the project will also help teams to quickly spot and tackle pollution, protecting our valuable marine environment. This is an exciting project that is supported by our Drones Pathfinder Programme which we are pleased to be funding into 2020/21.”

 

The MCA is investing £1m in the project and will combine its experience in managing aviation operations with its world-leading expertise in search and rescue and counter pollution to direct the project.

 

Elbit Systems UK is recognised for its technical and commercial innovation together with its collaborative behaviour with regulators and customers worldwide to achieve clearances for the use of unmanned aviation vehicles of varying size, weight and capability for search and rescue. Together with Inzpire and ASG, they have formed a team with the requisite skills, experience and personnel to successfully achieve the MCA’s principal objective.

 

The Drones Pathfinder Programme is managed by the Connected Places Catapult in partnership with the Department of Transport (DfT) and supported by  the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

 

For more information on the programme and Pathfinder projects please visit:  https://cp.catapult.org.uk/case-studies/pathfinder/

 

About MCA

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency is an executive agency of the United Kingdom working to prevent the loss of lives at sea and is responsible for implementing British and international maritime law and safety policy

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency

 

About Elbit Systems UK Ltd

 Elbit Systems UK Ltd (ESUK) holds four wholly owned subsidiaries as well as two joint ventures. In total, over 500 personnel are employed by the Elbit Systems UK companies, in high tech roles in the defence, aerospace and rail sectors. The two joint ventures were formed in order to deliver the Watchkeeper programme for the British Army and to supply and support three fleets of aircraft within the UK MoD Military Flying Training System (UKMFTS) programme.

 

About the Connected Places Catapult

The Connected Places Catapult accelerates smarter living and travelling in and between the places of tomorrow. We focus on growing businesses with innovations in mobility services and the built environment that enable new levels of physical, digital and social connectedness. The Connected Places Catapult operates at the intersection between public and private sectors and between local government and transport authorities. We convene the disparate parts of the market to help innovators navigate the complexity of doing business, creating new commercial opportunities and improving productivity, socio-economic and environmental benefits for places.

 

 

 

About Aviation Systems Group (ASG)

Building upon over 100 years of both military and civil aviation experience, ASG brings a refreshing approach helping both businesses and hobbyists turn their commercial opportunity or interests into reality. Visit https://asg.ltd/ for more information

 

About Inzpire

wInzpire recognises that a truly great company – one capable of delivering to the highest expectations of the UK and global military and civilian sectors – is only possible with great people.

We deploy a unique combination of highly experienced military and engineering personnel to develop solutions that excel in every respect.

Our engineering team has many years’ experience in frontline operations and in the development of solutions for the UK Defence industrial sector.   We combine this experience of the environment, deployment, training and engineering knowledge to deliver world beating solutions.

This powerful mix of military and engineering experience offers our customers an unrivalled capability within the defence and security sector.

We are a proudly British company, this pride defines our DNA and, as embedded partners across many areas of the UK MOD, we are perfectly positioned to bridge military and civilian requirements – serving both with the same exceptional level of professionalism, adaptability and deep-rooted expertise. For more information visit: https://www.inzpire.com/

SAM IS ....
Chancellor extends furlough scheme until October 2020

Chancellor extends furlough scheme until October

The government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain open until the end of October, the Chancellor announced today (Tuesday 12 May 2020).

CJRS extended to October

 

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme will continue until end of October

Furloughed workers across UK will continue to receive 80% of their current salary, up to £2,500

New flexibility will be introduced from August to get employees back to work and boost economy

 

In a boost to millions of jobs and businesses, Rishi Sunak said the furlough scheme would be extended by a further four months with workers continuing to receive 80% of their current salary.

As we reopen the economy, we need to support people to get back to work. From the start of August, furloughed workers will be able to return to work part-time with employers being asked to pay a percentage towards the salaries of their furloughed staff.

The employer payments will substitute the contribution the government is currently making, ensuring that staff continue to receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 a month.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said:

Our Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has protected millions of jobs and businesses across the UK during the outbreak – and I’ve been clear that I want to avoid a cliff edge and get people back to work in a measured way.

This extension and the changes we are making to the scheme will give flexibility to businesses while protecting the livelihoods of the British people and our future economic prospects.

New statistics published today revealed the job retention scheme has protected 7.5 million workers and almost 1 million businesses.

The scheme will continue in its current form until the end of July and the changes to allow more flexibility will come in from the start of August. More specific details and information around its implementation will be made available by the end of this month.

The government will explore ways through which furloughed workers who wish to do additional training or learn new skills are supported during this period. It will also continue to work closely with the Devolved Administrations to ensure the scheme supports people across the Union.

The Chancellor’s decision to extend the scheme, which will continue to apply across all regions and sectors in the UK economy, comes after the government outlined its plan for the next phase of its response to the coronavirus outbreak.

The scheme is just one part of the government’s world-leading economic response to coronavirus, including an unprecedented package for the self-employed, loans and guarantees that have so far provided billions of pounds in support, tax deferrals and grants for small businesses.

Today the government is also publishing new statistics that show businesses have benefitted from over £14 billion in loans and guarantees to support their cashflow during the crisis. This includes 268,000 Bounce Back Loans worth £8.3 billion, 36,000 loans worth over £6 billion through the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and £359 million through the Coronavirus Large Business Interruption Loan Scheme.

Mike Cherry, National Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses, said:

The Job Retention Scheme is a lifeline which has been hugely beneficial in helping small employers keep their staff in work, and it’s extension is welcome. Small employers have told us that part-time furloughing will help them recover from this crisis and it is welcome that new flexibility is announced today.

Published 12 May 2020
From:
HM Treasury
SAM IS ....
New entrant to the CAA Innovation Sandbox: Flylogix

Flylogix have been selected to join the CAA’s Innovation Sandbox. They will be working alongside Total, NATS and the Oil & Gas Technology Centre.

They aim to drive forward the safe operation involving BVLOS within the Offshore Oil and Gas Sector.

It will allow them to mobilise their UAVs at short notice to launch from their UK operating hubs to reach any UK offshore asset within hours, providing a range of services to the offshore energy sector including environmental monitoring, surveillance and delivery. Their track record and recent experience place them in an ideal position to do so.

Last autumn they took part in BVLOS operations in the North Sea involving finding and tracking a vessel, potentially very useful in Search and Rescue Scenarios, as well as a record breaking 185km methane detecting flight.

 

185km UAV Flight

The drone circled the Clair platform at a radius of 550 metres for 90 minutes, travelling for a total of more than 185 km, significantly beating the previous record of 100 km. The pre-programmed drone, once airborne, managed itself autonomously. Throughout the flight, the RPAS live-streamed valuable data collected by the methane sensor.

Ariel Flores, North Sea regional president, said: “Improving our knowledge, understanding and performance by testing new technologies and working closely with suppliers is central to the North Sea’s carbon reduction plan, which aims to limit greenhouse emissions in our North Sea business.

This pilot project represents a significant step forward in our ability to do that.”

Following the successful results, the specialist drone will be deployed to all of BP’s North Sea assets in 2020, including ETAP and Glen Lyon.

Read more

 

Cross Channel BVLOS

British technology and aviation business, Flylogix, completed a series of UAV operations in the Solent and Channel to provide live video of National Grid’s Interconnexion France-Angleterre 2 (IFA2) cable installation to help coordinate maritime response to threats to the cable. Flylogix safely conducted the beyond line of sight operations in a broad range of weather conditions in one of the most congested marine and aviation areas in the UK.

Read more

 

On the CAA’s Innovation Sandbox

Charles Tavner, executive chairman at Flylogix, said: “We are delighted to be working with the CAA to reduce the cost, risk and environmental impact of providing unmanned aviation services to the offshore energy sector. We are determined to use our hard-fought operational experience to trailblaze growth in this new category of full-service over horizon aviation services.”

While Frédéric Laugère, Innovation Services Lead at the Civil Aviation Authority, said: “Using unmanned aircraft to assist the offshore energy industry is a perfect use for the technology and one that we are keen to see develop. We are delighted to welcome Flylogix to our innovation sandbox to enable us to work together on this area which has the potential to deliver key benefits to a vital part of the UK’s energy infrastructure.”

 

11th May 2020

SAM IS ....
CAA appoints new Chair

Following an open competition, Sir Stephen was selected by the Transport Secretary as the candidate best suited to lead the Civil Aviation Authority through the COVID-19 response and recovery. He will balance airlines’ immediate needs resulting from reduced passenger demand, with consumer issues such as the refund backlog due to cancelled services.

Sir Stephen will oversee the enhancement of the Civil Aviation Authority’s reputation as a leading aviation regulator, as the UK leaves the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This will include preparing the organisation to certify the design of new aviation products and formulating proposals for new aviation safety legislation.

Hillier will also build on the government’s vision to innovate and modernise the aviation industry, making flying greener and more efficient, as well as driving cutting-edge technologies to ensure the UK maintains its position as a world leader in aviation.

The government has invested in STEM based programmes co-ordinated through general aviation organisations to inspire the next generation of pilots and engineers into the industry. Sir Stephen will help progress this work to ensure general aviation continues to be the grassroots driving force behind the entire aviation sector, with many of the UK’s top aviation specialists and pilots having experienced their first taste of aviation at their local airfield.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said:

This is an extremely challenging time for the aviation industry, unlike anything we have faced, so the need for an inspiring and experienced leader is vital. I’d like to thank Dame Deirdre Hutton for her support and leadership over the last 11 years and to welcome Sir Stephen Hillier.

Sir Stephen’s incredible knowledge and experience in aviation will be invaluable during this period and I’m confident he will excel addressing the challenges presented by COVID-19. I am also excited to work with him and support the Civil Aviation Authority’s new vision once the industry is back on its feet.

Hillier’s primary task will be working to ensure the UK maintains its excellent aviation safety and security record. He was the head of the RAF from 2016 to 2019, having served in the RAF for almost 40 years. He is a qualified pilot and flying instructor, and has significant experience in managing multiple agencies and suppliers as part of an earlier role as the Ministry of Defence’s principal military customer for equipment and infrastructure. He will take up his post as Non-executive Chair of the Civil Aviation Authority, starting on 1 August 2020.

Sir Stephen Hillier said:

I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to help lead the Civil Aviation Authority through the enormous challenges which lie ahead: maintaining our excellent safety record and promoting the UK’s world-leading aviation sector, while dealing with the consequences of COVID-19 and guiding us through our departure from EASA.

Dame Deirdre Hutton, Chair of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said:

It has been a great privilege and an honour to chair the UK Civil Aviation Authority board for the past 11 years.

It has been an extraordinary period starting with the closure of pan-European airspace due to the Icelandic volcano and ending with the current challenges of COVID-19.

The organisation’s ability to deal with crisis situations is exemplary and I am deeply grateful to all my colleagues for their focus and determination.

The organisation has changed immeasurably, and I am proud of the way we have revolutionised our approach to safety regulation, launched a world leading innovation hub and put consumers at the heart of what we do.

It has been immensely rewarding and I am delighted that I pass the chair to someone who will undoubtedly successfully steer the organisation through the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Sir Stephen replaces Dame Deirdre Hutton DBE, who steps down after 11 years as the chair. During this period, Dame Deirdre has overseen a period of significant change at the Civil Aviation Authority, notably the introduction of risk-based safety regulation and putting consumers and the heart of the organisation. Dame Deirdre has also guided the organisation through many crisis situations including the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull, the Icelandic volcano that led to the closure of pan-European airspace and the repatriation of hundreds of thousands of UK travellers following the collapse of both Monarch Airlines and Thomas Cook.

This role is subject to a pre-appointment scrutiny hearing by the Transport Select Committee, which will take place later this year. The final confirmation of the appointment will follow that hearing, and Sir Stephen is expected to start work as Chair on 1 August 2020.

SAM IS ....
The DJI Matrice 300 RTK and Zenmuse H20 Series are out now

ARPAS-UK Member, DJI, today launched the Matrice 300 RTK and Zenmuse H20 series targeting commercial users.

 

It offers up to 55 minutes of flying time, advanced AI capabilities, 6 Directional sensing and positioning and more.

A range of 15km makes it an ideal candidate for BVLOS, while the Onboard AI recognizes the subject of interest and identifies it in subsequent automated missions to ensure consistent framing.

It looks to be a work horse of a drone that can work in a variety of sectors.

 

The company’s senior director of corporate strategy at DJI, Christina Zhang, commented: “With the M300 RTK flying platform and the Zenmuse H20 camera series, we are providing a safer and smarter solution to our enterprise customers.”

For further details, click here.

7th May 2020

 

 

SAM IS ....
Parrot supports Human Rights Watch by providing Drones and Software

Parrot, the leading European drone group, announced today its support for Human Rights Watch’s mission of investigating human rights abuses around the world. To assist the organization’s work, Parrot is providing its powerful ANAFI drones, along with advanced software and technical support.

man

 

Most recently, as part of a Human Rights Watch investigation into ISIS atrocities in northern Syria, Parrot provided support in capturing aerial imagery and 3D data of the al-Hota gorge near Raqqa, a suspected mass grave site used by ISIS.

 

As part of the investigation, Parrot provided ANAFI drones and on-call support for piloting and technical assistance. The dangerous terrain and steep cliffs of al-Hota made it necessary for Human Rights Watch investigators to use drones to capture imagery at the bottom of the gorge. Data captured by the drones was also used to create a 3D topographical model of the al-Hota gorge with the software Pix4D Mapper. These 3D maps may be used to further investigate below the surface of the water.

 

“Human Rights Watch is doing incredibly important work around the world,” said Henri Seydoux, chairman and CEO of Parrot. “We are honored to push the boundaries of how our technologies can be applied to help them in their missions.”

 

This is the second mission Parrot has supported with advanced drone technology and software. Drones have proven to be a vital tool for professionals across many fields to safely access areas otherwise impenetrable by humans and to quickly and efficiently collect valuable data.

 

The Human Rights Watch investigation, which began in 2017, resulted in an extensive report published today. Titled “Into the Abyss: The al-Hota Mass Grave in Northern Syria,” the report investigates whether the al-Hota gorge was used as a mass grave during ISIS control over the area.

 

As a result of the investigation, Human Rights Watch calls upon local authorities to treat al-Hota and other suspected ISIS mass graves in Syria as crime scenes, identify the victims at the bottom of the gorge, notify the families of those who were killed, and hold accountable those who committed atrocities.

SuasNews

4th May 2020