Page 33 - AAA SEPTEMBER - OCOTBER 2017 Online Magazine

FEATURE ROTARY WING

Leonardo built helicopters
have also proved popular
with law enforcement
agencies in the region

said, “Rotorcraft Asia and Unmanned Systems place for the Skyways project. The R&D The unmanned helicopter has been
Asia have established a unique platform for phase is now at an advanced stage, while developed by V R-Technologies, which is
us to meet with high-level executives and an initial trial phase is planned at NUS by a member of Russian Helicopters. Two
manufacturers as well as learn more about the early 2018. Several small packages will be prototypes were displayed at MAKS-
industry trends and forecasts for the region.” transported around and within the university 2017 for the first time. The first variant
campus during the trial. “Drones and other called “Opticvision” has been designed
Drone Delivery autonomous vehicles are in the future of the to undertake tasks such as monitoring
Amongst the announcements made at logistics industry. The demonstrator that and emergency response at energy
Rotorcraft Asia was the partnership for drone Airbus Helicopters and SingPost will be production sites and transportation
delivery trials between Airbus Helicopters developing is designed to address real-world facilities, surveillance of overhead power
and Singapore Post (SingPost). The project, challenges such as safe and accurate flight transmission lines, mapping, cargo
named “Skyways”, aims to develop an in high rise cities, while meeting the needs transportation, exploration works, as well
aerial drone delivery system for urban of customers,” said Mervyn Lim, SingPost’s as monitoring of environment, roads and
environments like Singapore. An initial trial Covering Group CEO. “Our trial will involve roadside infrastructure. To cater for tasks
involving transporting small packages using SingPost’s parcel locker technology, and such as monitoring of infrastructure and
a drone around the National University of this MoU fits well into our long-term plans remote sensing, the Opticvision unmanned
Singapore (NUS) campus is expected to take to develop future generations of parcel helicopter has an increased flying range.
place in early 2018. “Skyways was launched delivery points that involve drones and the The second unmanned helicopter has
with the intent to provide highly efficient, vertical dimension. Together with Airbus been named “Arctic Supervision” and the
reliable and seamless small parcel deliveries Helicopters’ technologists, SingPost’s drone is equipped with a side-view high-
using drones in urban cities. The project engineers will be working to ensure the resolution onboard radar operating in
has been progressing well and we welcome concept meets the future logistics needs of the X-band for ice reconnaissance and
SingPost onboard as our logistics partner in urban environments like Singapore.” Airbus operations in Arctic conditions.
this critical phase, as we work in tandem to Helicopters is the overall Skyways system This drone which has been ruggedised
develop a robust autonomous parcel delivery architect and provider, contributing its for operations in inhospitable conditions,
system that will revolutionise the logistics capabilities in drone platforms as well as is powered by a diesel engine and its
industry,” said Airbus Helicopters’ Executive its concept of future parcel delivery. This shipborne capabilities make it irreplaceable
Vice President of Engineering and Chief concept involves systems and structures for icebreakers and drilling platforms. With
Technical Officer Jean-Brice Dumont. The end that allow drones to land, dock with secure the ability to carry a 70-kg payload, the
result of the project is to develop a safe and structures, discharge or take on payloads, VRT300 Arctic Supervision has the ability
economically viable aerial unmanned parcel and then fly off to other destinations. to transport various cargo, such as food and
delivery system for use in urban environments. medicines. It can also undertake missions to
Under the terms of a February 2016 Unmanned Helicopters measure ice thickness along the navigation
MoU inked between Airbus Helicopters and Russian Helicopters unveiled a new route and determine the size of major ice
the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore unmanned helicopter-type aircraft called the fields suitable for scientific Polar stations. It
(CAAS), a proof-of-concept trial will take VRT300 at MAKS-2017. can also engage in SAR operations at sea.
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