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Altitude Angel Begins Rolling Out Purpose-built Low-Altitude Aviation Surveillance Network

Network includes ADS-B, Mode S and SDR capabilities plus ability to detect existing and future ‘Remote ID’ broadcasts

London, UK: Altitude Angel, the world’s most trusted UTM (Unified Traffic Management) technology provider, has today announced it has begun its deployments of what is planned to be the largest commercial, aviation-grade sensor network specifically optimised for wide-area low-altitude drone and aircraft detection, in the UK.

Incorporating purpose-built ADS-B and Mode S receivers, as well as comprehensive SDR (Software Defined Radio) capabilities, the network is also capable of detecting existing and future ‘Remote ID’ broadcasts from transmitters on drones, as well as collecting transmission information from the common control systems used to pilot them. This means the sensor network will detect drones which are intentionally electronically broadcasting their location, as well as many which are not.  And due to the detection technologies used by Altitude Angel, low-flying crewed aviation can be detected and located using other passive sensors even when they are not broadcasting any signal.

This additional data received by the sensor network is ‘fused’ with Altitude Angel’s already extensive air-surveillance picture (taken from primary sources – such as the sensor arrays deployed on its ARROW towers and trusted secondary providers), to create a high-resolution, near real-time digital map of the low-altitude airspace.

The capability to detect aircraft and drones at lower altitudes is becoming increasingly important and yet, it is exceptionally difficult to do well. Existing systems offer patchy coverage and a ‘one-size fits all’ approach, which means low-altitude aviation broadcasts – such as those from low-flying general aviation aircraft – can be missed, are focused only one particular type of transmission, or due to the equipment used, are often delayed by up to a minute or more. Low-latency is of paramount importance to navigation: a key reason for Altitude Angel’s new network being launched.

The new network has been extensively tested across four sites, but is being rolled out to a further 30 sites across the Midlands and Southeast of England. Altitude Angel is also announcing a programme to enable authorities to soon extend coverage where required, in turn, giving them access to the overall surveillance picture.

“In building this network we’re building the most comprehensive, real-time picture of whatever is moving through the country’s low-altitude airspace,” said Richard Parker, Altitude Angel, CEO and founder. “Coupled with our ARROW technology, the sensor network is a key component in the enablement of the digitisation of low-altitude airspace, leading toward greater visibility of air traffic, and enabling automated BVLOS drone operations anywhere in the UK at scale, while providing operators of uncrewed aircraft the security they need to operate safely in unsegregated airspace.”

Most people are familiar with ‘plane tracking software’, such as Flight Radar or FlightAware, which are great for tracking large aircraft or aircraft at higher altitudes. However, the Altitude Angel network has been designed from the outset to facilitate new and future airspace users, such as drones and UAM operators, whose operations will largely take place in lower airspace.

A dedicated, new, network is needed because at lower altitudes broadcast signals from aircraft are not always reliably received since they were designed for broadcast at higher altitudes. This network is different because it has been specifically optimised and positioned to uniquely work across the UK’s topography, guaranteeing better reception.

Furthermore, the network is being rolled-out using certified, robust, and resilient aviation-grade hardware, and not reliant on hobbyist-style equipment, as is commonly the case. ADS-B is commonly used by general aviation and other air users to broadcast aircraft location and are sometimes carried by drones. Mode S is a Secondary Surveillance Radar process which allows for multilateration of each aircraft according to a unique 24-bit address, or remote ID.

Approved third parties may apply for access to the surveillance data stream through Altitude Angel’s Developer Platform.


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Future Flight: Securing Investment and Showcasing Your Business- August 3rd

Securing investment in the rapidly evolving field of Future Flight is a crucial aspect for businesses aiming to drive innovation and growth. To shed light on effective strategies for showcasing your business and attracting investment, Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) is hosting a webinar titled “Future Flight: Securing Investment and Showcasing Your Business.”

Taking place on Thursday, August 3, this webinar offers a unique opportunity to hear from prominent investors who have deployed capital into companies operating within the Future Flight space. Participants will gain valuable insights into the criteria and expectations of private finance providers and learn how to effectively present their business opportunities for securing investment

Follow the link to find out more:

https://iuk.ktn-uk.org/events/future-flight-securing-investment-and-scaling-sustainably-webinar/


Follow Innovate UK KTN on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ktnuk/

Follow UK Research and Innovation on LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/uk-research-innovation/

Mohammed Hasan

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Opportunities for Investing in Future Flight- July 27th

The field of Future Flight is rapidly evolving, with advancements in advanced air mobility, drones, and electric regional flight opening up new horizons for innovation. To delve into the investment potential within this dynamic sector, Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) is hosting a webinar titled “Opportunities for Investing in Future Flight.”

This webinar, scheduled for Thursday, July 27, aims to shed light on the market opportunities, successful developments, and routes to commercial success within the Future Flight landscape. Whether you are a manufacturer, user, investor, or part of an industry group, this webinar provides a unique platform to explore investment prospects and gain valuable insights from key industry leaders.

Follow the link below to sign up:

iuk.ktn-uk.org/events/investing-in-future-flight-webinar/


Follow Innovate UK KTN on linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/ktnuk/

Follow UK Research and Innovation on linkedin:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/uk-research-innovation/

Mohammed Hasan

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SYPAQ and Tanglewood Group Partner for Global ‘Corvo’ PPDS UAS  Delivery

Partnership formed to support global roll-out of innovative drone solutions

SYPAQ Systems (Australia) and Tanglewood Group (UK) announce today that they  have entered into a strategic partnership that will support ongoing global sales of the successful SYPAQ Corvo Precision Payload Delivery System (PPDS) uncrewed aerial system (UAS). On the back of successful delivery of over 500 PPDS autonomous systems to the Ukraine Defence force, SYPAQ and Tanglewood have teamed to support further sales, support and distribution throughout Europe and Middle East.  

SYPAQ Systems General Manager Michael Partridge stated “We are very pleased to have Richard and the team at Tanglewood collaborate with us to expand sales of our successful Corvo PPDS autonomous  system through Defence and Commercial markets in Europe and the Middle East. Having Tanglewood in closer proximity to these markets will provide more timely and effective support to customers who are looking for world-leading attritable, military-grade autonomous capabilities. We’ve proven this with our Corvo PPDS performance in Ukraine and look to expand this in markets across the globe.” 

The Corvo PPDS disposable UAS, now distributed by Tanglewood Group in Europe and Middle East, has been  celebrated for its performance in the Ukrainian conflict zone, and continues to be a world-leading, flexible mission, fixed-wing UAS.

SYPAQ’s Corvo PPDS UAS is a low-cost, highly capable fixed-wing autonomous system which can covertly deliver payloads with a high level of accuracy and reliability. Delivered as a flat pack kit to reduce logistic burden and made almost entirely from waxed foamboard, they are easily assembled and operated. The Corvo PPDS has a payload capacity of up to 3kg, has a range of over 100km and can autonomously transit to a specific location and land unassisted. It has been designed and operationally proven as an affordable and adaptable, autonomous UAS providing the end user the ability to innovate during operations. 

Tanglewood Co-Founder and Director Richard Glyn-Jones mentioned “We are excited to be working with the Team at SYPAQ and being able to use Tanglewood’s extensive market reach in Europe and  the Middle East, together with experience in autonomous systems and sensors, to support the expansion of Corvo PPDS operations. We see the PPDS as key to future military operations as well as being used for Search & Rescue, Law enforcement and humanitarian aid delivery amongst others and the partnership with SYPAQ allows us to develop future technology integrations to expand the use cases. We are looking forward to introducing the PPDS and working closely with the SYPAQ team.” 

The Corvo PPDS disposable UAS has been celebrated for its performance in the Ukrainian conflict zone,  and continues to be a world-leading, flexible-mission, fixed-wing UAS. For further information PPDS and other SYPAQ Systems UAS products contact info@sypaq.com.au.  

For more information go to:

www.corvo-unmanned.com.au 

www.sypaq.com.au www.tanglewoodgroup.co.uk/products


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Aerofirm & ARPAS-UK successful in Future Flight: Closing the Skills Gap Funding Bid

Aerofirm and ARPAS-UK are delighted to announce they have been awarded funding as part of the Future Flight Challenge: Closing the Skills Gap competition.

The project concerns the quantification of risks within complex drone operations, where there is currently a skills gap within the industry. Whilst this approach is used in other sectors, such as traditional manned aviation, its application is very domain specific and it is not yet widely used for drones.

The course will cover the fundamentals of risk quantification then take a deep dive into the specific aspects associated with drone operation such as platform, air and ground risks, human factors and target levels of safety. These topics will be underpinned by case studies and worked examples showing how the techniques are applied to real world situations.

The ultimate output will be a training course that supports the generation of both complex and scalable BVLOS safety cases. It will provide not only the tools needed to achieve this, but develop a mindset which needs to be embodied in any current and future organisation, as the responsibility of the operation is not just in the hands of the author but of all the staff in a company. The course will pull the UK drone industry back to the front of the queue, bringing jobs, investment and unlocking the skies.

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Dr Owen McAree, Director of Aerofirm, said: “With this course we aim to help upskill the UK drone industry in the quantification of the risks associated with scalable BVLOS operation. This approach is fundamental in transitioning the industry from todays small scale trials to widespread commercially viable operations, whilst also highlighting the areas of technology development needed to unlock future scalability”

Anne-Lise Scaillierez, CEO of ARPAS-UK, said: “This project will create a course to underpin scalable BVLOS operations. Training operators to understand risk and how to put a number to each element will help to enable safe rollout of BVLOS in the UK. This is fundamental to expanding the drone industry in the UK.”

This course will be developed alongside the soon to be launched ARPAS-UK BVLOS Technical Special Interest Group, which is the companion group which will help to supply the data needed to support BVLOS operations.  It is also aligned with the NATS BVLOS Forum which contains the UK’s premier drone operators who will be the ones to write the safety case.

To express interest in the ARPAS BVLOS Technical SIG:

Contact:

bvlos@arpas.uk


About Aerofirm:

Aerofirm Ltd are experts in the technical aspects of commercial drone operations with a focus on safety engineering. Director, Dr Owen McAree, previously worked as a researcher and Head of Flight Operations at a number of top UK universities where he oversaw drone operations around the world and published over 40 peer-reviewed articles on topics ranging from artificial intelligence to risk quantification. During this time he gained experience in developing and delivering course material for students from a diverse academic background.

For more information visit: www.linkedin.com/company/aerofirm/about/

About ARPAS-UK:

Founded in 2013, ARPAS-UK’s objective is to collectively achieve the benefits of using drones for its members, the UK economy and wider society. ARPAS-UK is the only non-commercial professional body, solely representing the drone community in the UK. 

As well as promoting Best Practice, the Association also encourages a culture of collaboration and information sharing so that members are better informed and better prepared to make the most from market opportunities. Promoting our members and the standards we set, enables end users to easily identify the best and most appropriate operators to hire for their specific needs.

For more information about us: About Us – ARPAS UK

For more information on joining: Joining Info – ARPAS UK

The Future Flight Challenge

The Future Flight challenge at UK Research and Innovation and delivered by Innovate UK, has over the past few years invested £125 million in funding to develop and show integrated aviation systems and new vehicle technologies. The Skills Gap is part of this funding and will invest up to £500,000 into projects that can create and deliver course content and materials to support skills, talent and training across the future flight sector.

For more about the Future Flight Challenge: UKRI Challenge Fund – UKRI

Mohammed Hasan

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West Midlands Police Drone Unit on Channel 4: Sky Coppers

Go behind the scenes with the West Midlands Police Drone Unit who hunt criminals from the sky!

Channel 4 have joined Keith Bennett and his team at West Midlands Police to gain a unique insight to their operation. Sky Coppers shows the huge range of jobs that the dedicated team deploy to, from helping to locate vulnerable missing people, to searching for fleeing or hiding suspects, to scouring for potential victims in burning buildings.

The series showcases how drone technology assists officers in their investigations, tracking criminals from the sky.

With nearly 400 drones being used by forces across the UK, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor, Drones Lead at the National Police Chiefs Council, emphasises that drones are a highly effective, safe, and cost-effective tool to support frontline policing.

The series, made up of six hour-long episodes, will air from 11 July 2023 at 9pm on Channel 4, with episodes going out every Tuesday.

All episodes will be available as a boxset on Channel 4’s on demand service immediately after the broadcast of the first episode.

Save this link to watch: Watch Sky Coppers | Stream free on Channel 4

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Responsible Drone Use in Biodiversity Conservation: webinar 11 July 2023

Responsible Drone Use in Biodiversity Conservation

Date & Time: Tuesday 11 July 2023 2.30-6.30pm

Venue: Online

While geospatial technologies have long been essential tools of conservation, the development of drones has greatly expanded the possibilities for monitoring and protecting biodiversity and threatened landscapes. However, given that drones can capture data of humans and be deployed in wildlife-rich and inhabited areas, they can also have unforeseen social and ecological impacts.

On July 11th, with speakers and practitioners (including ecologists, biologists, social scientists, and conservation experts) from across the globe, we will explore the ethical and political considerations of drone use, and strategies to mitigate the potential impacts and dangers to humans and wildlife alike.

This event is for policy-makers, environmental and conservation organisations, academics, social scientists, and anyone with an interest in the ethical and political considerations of drone use.

For more information, including access to the policy brief:

5 July 2023

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UK Police to create a Centre of Excellence for Public Safety Drone Operations

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) Drones portfolio want UK police forces to be at the leading edge of public safety drone operations. To support this ambition they will develop a Centre of Excellence.

It will align drone training and procedures to a national standard that puts the safety of people on the ground and other airspace users first and enhances operational effectiveness. An Authorised Professional Practice (APP) will provide police drone pilots and senior officers with guidelines that ensure the maximum benefits are gained from drones in support of policing, while templates for Operational Authorisations will help local forces deliver the drone support their frontline officers need.​

As they develop our Centre of Excellence they will work collaboratively with other public safety entities around the world to share best practice and enhance their capabilities.

4 July 2023

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ARPAS-UK featured on Travel News Update

Travel News Update, recently published an insightful article shedding light on ARPAS-UK, the renowned drone community trade association. The article delves into the association’s founding, objectives, and the crucial role it plays in supporting and promoting innovation and best practices within the drone industry. With a focus on collaboration, ARPAS-UK’s partnerships with industry regulators and government departments are highlighted, emphasising its commitment to shaping the regulatory framework and ensuring safe and professional drone operations. Travel News Update’s article serves as an invaluable resource, offering readers a comprehensive understanding of ARPAS-UK’s pivotal role in driving standards, fostering professionalism, and shaping the future of the drone industry in the UK.

Travel News Update, is a reputable source of travel-related information, offering up-to-date news and insights to its readers. With a focus on various aspects of the travel industry, including aviation, transportation, and tourism, Travel News Update keeps its audience well-informed about the latest trends, developments, and events. The platform’s commitment to delivering accurate and timely content ensures that travellers and industry professionals have access to valuable updates that can enhance their travel experiences and decision-making. Whether it’s news about new destinations, travel restrictions, or emerging technologies, Travel News Update provides a reliable resource for staying informed in the dynamic world of travel.

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ARPAS-UK extends its sincere gratitude to Travel News Update for featuring the association. We greatly appreciate the opportunity to showcase our work and the drone industry as a whole. Collaborations and partnerships are instrumental in fostering growth and driving innovation within the industry, and we are committed to forging strong connections with fellow stakeholders. Together, we can continue to advance the safe and responsible integration of drones while supporting the development of robust regulatory frameworks. ARPAS-UK looks forward to future collaborations and the collective growth of the industry.

Click Here to read the full article.

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Travel News Update: https://www.travelnewsupdate.co.uk/

Mohammed Hasan

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BT Group and SkyLift Achieve Milestones in UK Drone Operations: Advanced Communication and Safety Systems for Scalable BVLOS Missions

BT Group and, esteemed ARPAS-UK member SkyLift, recently achieved significant milestones in the field of drone operations in the UK. They successfully conducted demonstration flights utilising fellow ARPAS-UK Member, uAvionix’s SkyLine cloud-based command and control (C2) system, which communicated over C-Band and LTE. These flights accomplished two firsts for the UK’s unmanned aerial system (UAS) operations.

Firstly, the demonstration involved operational Command and Non-Payload Communications (CNPC) C2 systems using C-Band and LTE via BT’s Drone SIM. This demonstrated the viability of assured CNPC C2 communications for UAS, meeting the proposed Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) UAS EC standard by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). It offers a reliable and integrated airspace solution for safe BVLOS missions.

Secondly, the demonstration involved the transmission of Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) OUT on 978 MHz, enabling detect and avoid (DAA) operations. By utilising uAvionix’s technology, the drone could effectively detect and avoid potential obstacles, enhancing the safety of the operations.

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“Today’s successful operations at Bentwaters Park represent a significant milestone necessary for scaling BVLOS operations to meet desired business objectives,” said Toby Moores, SkyLift CEO. “Use of SkyLine with BT’s Drone SIM and aviation C-Band for Command and Control coupled with ADS-B OUT for Electronic Conspicuity and the SkyFleet Ground Control System provided our operators continuous, assured control of the aircraft and unparalleled situational awareness throughout all the flights.  The technology was easily integrated into our aircraft and ground control system and deployed through a process that we can quickly replicate for businesses seeking to achieve scalable BVLOS operations.”

The SkyLift team operated its fixed wing UAS from Bentwaters Park, an ex-Royal Air Force/USAF airfield two hours from London utilizing their SkyFleet Ground Control System. Nearby Adastral Park, home of BT Group’s innovation labs, served as the location for a fixed, remote ground radio station (GRS) approximately 12 kilometers southwest. There are multiple BT LTE towers in the area and two mobile GRS with LTE backhaul connectivity were also deployed. 

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“At Etc., the incubation team within BT Group’s Digital unit, we are keenly focused on the UK becoming a leader for commercial drone operations.  Achieving these two firsts in one afternoon is significant and demonstrates how quickly we can integrate and deploy our technology for BVLOS missions,” said Ed Hunter, Senior Product Manager – Drones at Etc. “Collaborating with SkyLift and uAvionix brought together two cloud-based systems powered by EE’s advanced LTE connectivity and purpose-built Drone SIM, which is currently being trialed across the UK to deliver ultra reliable communications that can be scaled across many industries, from drone-enabled medical deliveries to power line inspections and search and rescue.”

Two flights were conducted to independently verify the BT Drone SIM connection and the uAvionix aviation C-Band data links.  The third and final flight demonstrated the optimized use of both the BT Drone SIM and aviation C-Band datalinks for fully operational CNPC C2.  Successful link management and make-before-break connections between the two datalinks were achieved using the uAvionix SkyLine UAS BVLOS cloud-based service and hardware including a SkyStation5060POE GRS, two SkyStation5060LTE mobile GRS, a muLTElink5060 airborne radio system with the BT Drone SIM, and a uAvionix truFYX GPS installed on the aircraft.  In concert, the flight also demonstrated the use of ADS-B OUT transmission from the aircraft on 978 MHz for Electronic Conspicuity.  The signal was provided by a uAvionix microUAT device.

Callum Holland, Transformation Lead for Future Safety & Innovation at the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said, “The CAA is committed to enabling the adoption of new technologies and standards to facilitate the wider integration of RPAS into UK airspace. We’re proud to have supported the UK’s first RPAS integration of ADS-B Out, operating on 978MHz, as well as a Command Link operating simultaneously over 4G LTE and in the C-Band protected aviation spectrum. This demonstration represents both our commitment to delivering the Electronic Conspicuity vision, as outlined within the Airspace Modernisation Strategy, and facilitating the adoption of high assurance datalinks for RPAS command and control.”

The achievements at Bentwaters Park underline the progress made in the field of drone communication and safety systems, providing a foundation for the expansion of infrastructure across the country. With continued collaboration and technological advancements, the UK is positioned to lead the way in commercial drone operations.


Enjoyed the Article? Follow the links below to read more:

uAvionix: www.uavionix.com

Skylift: https://www.skyliftuav.co.uk/

BT group: www.bt.com/about

Ect. : https://www.linkedin.com/company/etcatbtgroup/about/

The contents of this article were inspired by and based on information sourced from an article by uAvionix. We acknowledge and appreciate their valuable insights and contributions to the field of drone operations and communication systems.

Mohammed Hasan