Inside Unmanned Systems provides actionable business intelligence to decision-makers and influencers operating within the global UAS community. Features include analysis of key technologies, policy/regulatory developments and new product design.
Issue link: https://insideunmanned.epubxp.com/i/668560
6 unmanned systems inside April/May 2016 N early 125 years ago the crack of rifle shots signaled the beginning of the Oklahoma land rush—a mad dash for opportunity that, like today's wild race to unmanned technol- ogy, would change the country unalterably. Now entrepreneurs are pacing anxiously along the starting line of the unmanned aircraft indus- try—waiting for the wildly anticipated final rule on small drones to unleash the next great scram- ble toward the future. Like the Oklahoma 'sooners' who arrived early, some risk-takers have already staked a claim in the unmanned sector. Others are still waiting for the new rule to clarify how they should approach the commercial use of remotely piloted aircraft. But all who join this race have one thing before them—hard work. It takes sustained effort to build something new and publication of the rule for small, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) is only the beginning. Like th e Oklahoma homesteaders, UAS trail- blazers have to be determined and creative—and the stories in this issue ref lect that kind of inven- tiveness and practical problem solving. Some of the people we've reported on are testing and refining techniques, others are working out new applications and still others, like those in the Navy, are laying out roadmaps to get them where they hope to go. Those Oklahoma settlers also had to be tough, tough enough to persevere when progress was clearing a field one rock at a time. Today's unmanned companies need to be just as tough. The small UAS rule will not lift all restric- tions including some that many in the industry think are unnecessary. It will take hard work to clear the way for unmanned aircraft to safely fly out of sight, over people or autonomously. There are going to be stretches when it seems like it's just one rock after another. But those in the unmanned are just as deter- mined, just as creative and just as energetic as any who went before. And we are equally clear-eyed on both the promise this technology holds and what will be necessary to see that promise brought to life. It's going to be hard…it's going to take time…and it's going to be worth it. The Small UAS Rule Is Only The Beginning. EDITORIAL OPINION Photos courtesy of PrecisionHawk, Kimberly Fornace, U.S. Navy, Flyability and AAIR