Drones for Research
The open frontier of Alaska seems to have found a new way of research. The many industries that perform research each year in the state have begun planning and using Alaskan drones in new found ways to fuel their research.
Not only is this making studies faster, but creating entirely new and inventive ways to follow through with current projects.
Not only is this making studies faster, but creating entirely new and inventive ways to follow through with current projects.
What is making Alaska such a great proving ground for these new aerial excursions happens to be the sky? While airways are becoming more and more busy in the continental state, Alaska’s skies are relatively less crowded.
This helps to avoid legal issues with sky interference. The loss of busy skyways nearly resembling trafficked roads allows for a plethora of drones to roam free for science.
This helps to avoid legal issues with sky interference. The loss of busy skyways nearly resembling trafficked roads allows for a plethora of drones to roam free for science.
Sea Lion Research
Research on the lives and tribulations of the sea lion have been ongoing in Alaska for many years at this point. Much of the research needed to reach the homes of sea lions in the Aleutian Islands, just off of the western coast of Alaska.
This was proven difficult due to extremely thick and unmanageable fog.
The thick fog was making expeditions led by manned aircraft extremely dangerous. The loss of sight pushed development on drones that could fly just below the fog and make it to the seal lions home with ease.
With the weight loss of an unmanned vehicle, the drones were extremely quiet, keeping the sea lions from scattering and possibly injuring their pups. New drone videos are pushing this research forward and allowing for a scientific sight to finally be seen.
Technical and legal limitations currently create obstacles for continuing with the drone work. Build up of ice on the wings of the drones; as well as long-range communications and drone photos in the Alaskan wilderness are issues to overcome.
Before attacking these issues, the NOAA must first target the costly legal issues pertaining to regulations. The research drones are only to be operated by licensed pilots, and flights must occur within eyesight during the day.
This was proven difficult due to extremely thick and unmanageable fog.
The thick fog was making expeditions led by manned aircraft extremely dangerous. The loss of sight pushed development on drones that could fly just below the fog and make it to the seal lions home with ease.
With the weight loss of an unmanned vehicle, the drones were extremely quiet, keeping the sea lions from scattering and possibly injuring their pups. New drone videos are pushing this research forward and allowing for a scientific sight to finally be seen.
Technical and legal limitations currently create obstacles for continuing with the drone work. Build up of ice on the wings of the drones; as well as long-range communications and drone photos in the Alaskan wilderness are issues to overcome.
Before attacking these issues, the NOAA must first target the costly legal issues pertaining to regulations. The research drones are only to be operated by licensed pilots, and flights must occur within eyesight during the day.
Supplying oil rigs
One of the major companies in the territory pushing forward with drone use is ASRC Federal. This company is owned and operated by more than 11,000 Inupiat natives. The head of their UAS department, Bill Tart, is a previous drone expert for the Pentagon.
He is taking tactics from that experiencing ant attempting to employ them for use for civilian jobs in Alaska.
The future possibilities may lead to only one ship, chartering out in-between multiple oil rigs. This ship would use multiple drones to service all of these rigs in resupplying them with the goods they need.
This could be a 24-hour operation and save millions a year on transportation and, ironically, oil and gas.
He is taking tactics from that experiencing ant attempting to employ them for use for civilian jobs in Alaska.
The future possibilities may lead to only one ship, chartering out in-between multiple oil rigs. This ship would use multiple drones to service all of these rigs in resupplying them with the goods they need.
This could be a 24-hour operation and save millions a year on transportation and, ironically, oil and gas.
Stocking Remote Villages
Tulugaq, another native Alaskan company, is seeking to use drones to resupply remote villages in the state.
This not only adds the possibility of easier and cheaper supplies drops for these villages but the potential for employment as well.
While trained pilots and army officials undertake the spearheading of this venture, the back end could include supply carriers and communications teams from the villages themselves.
This not only adds the possibility of easier and cheaper supplies drops for these villages but the potential for employment as well.
While trained pilots and army officials undertake the spearheading of this venture, the back end could include supply carriers and communications teams from the villages themselves.
The Quick Path
The execution of this plan has come a long way since it began. In May of 2014, multiple Aeryon Scout aircraft began research testing I Fairbanks, Alaska.
These little 3-pound drones were used to see how effectively they could locate large animals in the wild such as Caribou, muskox, and bear for use in survey operations by the state. This research concluded successfully before the end of the year.
Since then the technological jump in less than two years time has allowed for nearly impossible, and extremely dangerous research to be fully worked through with ease, oil rigs to begin supply drops, and plans to restock remote villages with the supplies they need to survive.
Alaska has always been known as one of the final frontiers. It seems a new age has dawned where Alaska is one of the first frontiers for the advancement in drone exercises to better mankind.
Whether we are waiting to see how well these small unmanned vehicles can get supplies to workers and loved ones, or what new possibilities arise in the research of previously unreachable terrain, the future of these drones is exciting.
These little 3-pound drones were used to see how effectively they could locate large animals in the wild such as Caribou, muskox, and bear for use in survey operations by the state. This research concluded successfully before the end of the year.
Since then the technological jump in less than two years time has allowed for nearly impossible, and extremely dangerous research to be fully worked through with ease, oil rigs to begin supply drops, and plans to restock remote villages with the supplies they need to survive.
Alaska has always been known as one of the final frontiers. It seems a new age has dawned where Alaska is one of the first frontiers for the advancement in drone exercises to better mankind.
Whether we are waiting to see how well these small unmanned vehicles can get supplies to workers and loved ones, or what new possibilities arise in the research of previously unreachable terrain, the future of these drones is exciting.
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