The Kansas Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Integration Pilot Program (IPP) team is starting several months of tests using Applied Aeronautics’ fixed wing Albratross drone to conduct automated inspection of utility industry infrastructure. The Kansas Department of Transport first received permission from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to fly Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) drone operations without visual observers or ground-based radar in August 2019. Tests by the 31-member Kansas UAS IPP team will be carried out using the 22 lb (10 kg) maximum takeoff weight Albatross drone which is fitted with Iris Automation’s detect-and-avoid equipment. Participants include Kansas State University Polytechnic, Kansas City-based electric utility Westar Energy and Iris Automation.
(Image: Kansas IPP)
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