FVR-90 UAS taking off at the Cinnabar Fire, August 30, 2020. (N151RE) InciWeb.The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has awarded $2.7 million to support research on how drones can assist in disaster preparedness and in emergencies.
“Every second counts in an emergency, and this funding will allow drones to safely and more quickly deploy in moments when minutes matter,” said Acting FAA Administrator Billy Nolen.
The research will explore the use of drones in providing effective and efficient responses to different natural and human-made disasters. It will address coordination procedures among drone operators from federal agencies as well as state and local disaster preparedness and emergency response organizations. The five universities and their award amounts are:
- University of Vermont $1,195,000
- University of Alabama Huntsville $828,070
- New Mexico State University $400,000
- North Carolina State University $200,000
- Kansas State University $145,000
Today’s announcement is the third round of Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE) grants, which brings the total to 20 grants valued at $21 million for Fiscal Year 2022.
The ASSURE Center of Excellence is one of six that the agency has established to help advance technology and educate the next generation of aviation professionals. Research conducted through ASSURE is focused on helping the drone community safely grow and integrate into the nation’s airspace.
Earlier in 2022, Secretary Buttigieg outlined six key Innovation Principles the Department of Transportation will apply when fostering transportation technologies. Specifically, while continuing to commit to the highest standards of safety across technologies, these awards demonstrate the Department’s commitment to exploring ways to leverage innovation to help communities and public sector partners through experimentation.
More than 850,000 recreational and commercial drones are in the active drone fleet, and that number is expected to grow.
From the Federal Aviation Administration
17 Comments
So, why not build a really BIG drone – say, 600 feet across – to do low-level retardant drops on incidents?
You really don’t need that large of a drone. My company has designed relatively small inexpensive gas turbine drones with 30 to 60 foot diameter rotors, that are small enough for convenient parking at fire stations in fire-prone areas. Flown by firefighting ‘ground pilots’ they can respond immediately with up to 5000 gallons of water per flight to douse fires before they can spread uncontrollably. This rapid, first line of defense can do much to reduce the incidences of massive blazes that plague our country. A stitch in time truly can save nine.
John Howard:
Please forward your 5000 gallon drone data to Bill Gabbard here at Fire Aviation. Perhaps he will post an article about your drone proposal.
Ton D,
Does Bill have an email address? Maybe you could help here. Thanks
https://fireaviation.com/contact-us/
Tom D,
About a week ago, at your suggestion, details of the 5000 gallon coaxial drone proposal were sent to Bill Gabbard. I’m not sure whether either you or John Yount have had access to this information, but I was hoping that there might have been at least a modicum of interest in the ideas presented. Your feedback would be much appreciated.
Thanks, John H.
Look at the recipients, anyone involved in fire? Why not give out grants (free taxpayer money) to build a better soap box racer? There are numerous private companies that have developed drones forever type of mission. A night drone with a 1000-gallon retardant capacity? Mr. Michaels is on the right track. Doesn’t need a two football length wing. Only a 117 foot wingspan and two P&W 67 series powerplants, 750 shp each. Guidance and navigation are already on the “shelve”.
John,
You and a number of people are slowly beginning to realize what it is going to take. Small electric quads do not have either the capacity or endurance.
You really don’t need that large of a drone. My company has designed a range of relatively small inexpensive gas turbine drones with 30 to 60 foot diameter rotors, that are small enough for convenient parking at fire stations in fire-prone areas. Flown in safety by firefighting ‘ground pilots’ they can respond immediately with up to 5000 gallons retardant capacity per flight to douse fires before they can spread uncontrollably. This rapid, first line of defense can do much to reduce the incidences of massive blazes that plague our country. A stitch in time truly can save nine. As you say, guidance is already on the shelf. This will be inherently a direct extension of the firefighter. I can send info. if you are interested.
Landed at Fort Dix (CH54B) years back the day after an Experimental Gigantic Fire Fighting? Blimp bit the dust on initial Flight? Was seen by a lot of People who were at a baseball game nearby. From what was explained to me was (4) helicopters (1) connected at each “corner” with one pilot to operate the whole deal. Next Story: Understand the Process for FAA Decisions. Even though the FAA is Federal there are Key People from different US States that make things happen for their State. Umass has built a brand new building (outside KCEF Gate but still on the Airport) and there’s a bunch of empty Hangars available for any kind of Aviation related use. If you want take a peak at the New ” Umass launches Major Aviation Research and Training Center” story located at/outside Westover USAFR Base. This Base is all about the C5M Repairs and Inspections. Originally a B52 Launch Base. Have an ear for anything in the air flying around CEF. Don’t have to guess when the U2 is around.
Day aerial fire operations are “owned” by the fixed and rotary winged aircraft. The concept of using drones after dark is the challenge. Until someone of big bucks and influence steps up to finance and assign knowledgeable fire personnel, engineers, scientist to direct the program little will happen except dreaming what could be the future of aerial firefighting. Mr. Howard do submit your idea to the public.
Thanks, John
I’m not sure how best to do this. It would be preferable to have an email address to which to send, particularly if someone would actually wish to see the idea.
John, You may well be right that fire operations are “owned” by fixed and rotary, wing aircraft. Maybe, that is why my drone idea has already disappeared into obscurity. At your request, this idea was submitted to Fire Aviation, and landed with a resounding thud. It is also the subject off 3 patents, so it has been made public. One would have expected that the idea for a range of small, heavy- lift water drones, which could be strategically placed in fire-prone zones, would have aroused just a tiny bit of interest. It would be of interest to hear your thoughts on the matter. 5000 gallons beats 10 gallons every time. Thanks
Your are referring to the Piasecki Heli-stat. It was never intended to be for firefighting. It was intended for logging. It was poorly engineered and failed spectacularly, very unlike a Piasecki undertaking.
Plasecki Heli-Stat? Remember it well. Lots of moving components, one failed and the results is now history. Drone for night ops. An airplane with an operator in a box (could be anywhere) obtain down link data and load it into the next retardant sortie. Box, secure command and control center. Now the night belongs to the owls and drones.
Googled the Heli Stat. Like I said in prior comment landed there to refuel in our CH54B the day after. Was described to me so had an idea of this Blimp make up. Watched the utube video… yikes. One more fact, this was 1986. Now I feel old.
Drone: Globel Hawk RQ4. A massive machine. Wingspan 116 feet. Gross weight about 26,750 pounds.
Been around for almost two decades. A few have ended up in museums.
Yes, does not maneuver well, made for high altitude ops, would not make an effective fire platform at all.
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