The US Forest Service is partnering with NASA to evaluate the use of two high-altitude long endurance drones to improve wildland firefighters’ situational awareness. 1. A balloon Last week a balloon laden with a sophisticated package of electronics hovered 60,000 feet over the Moose Fire in Idaho. Its mission was to assist firefighters in improving and maintaining situational awareness. Some of them may have seen the shiny object the size of a football stadium, even though it was more than … [Read more...] about Mapping wildfires from 70,000 feet
Swift’s Marine Sensing Solutions
Swift Engineering, originally a race-car design company, is a growing engineering company in the unmanned air and underwater vehicle space. They were founded in San Clemente, California and have become a major player in crafting autonomous systems for projects nationally and internationally. In fact, Swift has developed technologies that have been used by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Air Force Research … [Read more...] about Swift’s Marine Sensing Solutions
HAPS/HALE: Seeking Solar’s Sweet Spot
Many years ago, as a young newspaperman, I received a plum assignment to retrace Charles Lindbergh’s trans-Atlantic flight. Rather than shivering in the Spirit of St. Louis monoplane, I flew the Atlantic in the Mach Two comfort of the Concorde. Eating lobster at a near-stratospheric 60,000 feet, I squinted at the curvature of the earth. The quest to soar toward the sun dates back to mythology. But during 2020, an increasing number of lightweight unmanned vehicles have explored paths toward … [Read more...] about HAPS/HALE: Seeking Solar’s Sweet Spot
American Made Swift High-Altitude-Long-Endurance UAS Completes Landmark First Flight
Receiving Both NASA’s Airworthiness Certification and the FAA’s Certificate of Authorization SAN CLEMENTE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In partnership with NASA's Ames Research Center, Swift Engineering's high altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned aerial system, completed its maiden flight. The only US-made platform in its class, Swift's flight team, performed a full-system check, validating the vehicle's configuration for high-altitude continuous surveillance missions. Through the … [Read more...] about American Made Swift High-Altitude-Long-Endurance UAS Completes Landmark First Flight
Swift Tactical Systems Lands $17M National Drone and Services Contract
The Program Will Support Bahamas Ministry of National Security, Law Enforcement, Immigration and Customs Swift Tactical Systems, a subsidiary of Swift Engineering, won a $17 Million contract to provide Bahamas government agencies and ministries with a comprehensive Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) program. The multi-agency drone program includes the purchase of 55 short and medium-range drones, immediate surveillance capabilities, training and support, and the establishment of a … [Read more...] about Swift Tactical Systems Lands $17M National Drone and Services Contract
Swift Engineering Selected for the Design and Construction of FARA Airframe for Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
Swift Engineering is selected to be the key partner for the airframe design and build of the Sikorsky Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) competitive prototype. "We are proud to highlight Swift Engineering as one of our flagship, non-traditional defense contractors, providing design and construction of the fuselage for the FARA CP," said Tim Malia, Sikorsky's Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft Director. "Swift utilizes cutting-edge engineering, and composite fabrication … [Read more...] about Swift Engineering Selected for the Design and Construction of FARA Airframe for Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company