CAPE MAY – Private companies in the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) industry met with each other and various local and federal agencies at the Cape May Convention Center Oct. 16 to 18 to discuss the status and future of drone technology.
Attendees networked with peers to develop ideas about how drones could be used in data collection, mapping, weather reporting, environmental monitoring and most recently counter drone operations and security.
After an opening-day taped welcome message from U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) senior UAS advisor retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Marke Gibson, provided an overview of the UAS program.
Included was his observation that although the UAS revolution began with larger medium and high-altitude drones, the current trend is moving firmly in the direction of ever smaller, low-altitude drones that are available to increasing numbers.
Gibson also spoke about detection and tracking of drones becoming increasingly important as smaller drones proliferate.
Security concerns about the illegal use of drone technology have begun to place focus on how government, businesses, and individuals can protect themselves from unwarranted intrusion by drone pilots; the legal restrictions about privacy issues for drone users and those protecting themselves from intrusions is a new challenge.
UAS Detection
Linda Ziemba, chief executive officer (CEO) of Drone Go Home is an example of this new segment of the UAS industry.
Ziemba explained that her firm, a New Jersey-based, woman-owned small business, provides a legal, passive drone detection service that will discover, locate and then alert clients of the UAS threat for their further action.
Ziemba noted that some threats include mishaps over crowds from foolish pilots, contraband smuggling, attacks on critical infrastructure and corporate espionage.
Ziemba stressed that her firm does not violate any federal or local wiretap laws, nor do they interfere with the actual drone itself as per the latest requirements.
Tracking Technology
Cellular Tracking Technologies (CTT) was another small business from the Rio Grande section that uses tracking technology as well, but for different reasons.
CTT develops new technologies to assist environmental groups in their quest to keep track of animal and bird migratory patterns through the use of UAS aircraft and their own miniature tracking devices that help track bald and golden eagles, snowy owls and other species of interest.
Aiding Firefighters
According to David Yoel, CEO and founder of American Aerospace of Conshohocken, Pa., his firm develops larger drones that were recently used to help firefighters battle forest fires that currently plague the West Coast.
The conference, sponsored by the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce, featured panelists and speakers from the FAA, New Jersey State Police, Cape May County Office of Emergency Management, as well as experts and practitioners in the field of unmanned flight.
To contact Jim McCarty, email jmccarty@cmcherald.com.
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