Hensoldt, a sensor solution provider, and Netherlands-based, Wings For Aid, have formed a strategic partnership, reports a press release. The aim of this two-stage cooperation is to improve the air safety of cargo drones.
Wings For Aid has developed the “MiniFreighter”, a 650-kg Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) that delivers humanitarian goods to people isolated by natural disasters and man-made crises.
The release explains, “In the first phase, these cargo drones will be equipped with the “SferiRec LCR 100” flight data recorder. The craft will have a significantly improved recording capability of the flight attitude data and the flight control system.”
Steffen Kolditz
Steffen Kolditz, Head of the Airborne Solutions business unit at Hensoldt, commented, “We are very proud to be making a contribution that will enable relief supplies to be transported to crisis areas even faster and more cost-effectively in the future.”
The drone has already completed successful flight tests at various locations, including Magdeburg-Cochstedt airfield. This is the base for the DLR’s National Test Centre for Unmanned Aircraft Systems, one of Wings For Aid’s partners.
“In a potential second phase,” continues the release, “further technical upgrades will be added to increase aircraft autonomy and improve the Wings For Aid flight test capability as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and global system provider. The operational data collected up to that point can be used directly for this purpose.”
Capabilities such as Detect and Avoid (DAA) and the improvement of a Drop Zone Safety Automation System should then ensure the operational range is increased and the workload of the operator is significantly reduced. This is essential to scale up BVLOS flights with multiple aircraft.
Wings For Aid Team
Background
Based in Taufkirchen near Munich, Hensoldt works alongside the European defence industry. The company develops complete sensor solutions for defence and security applications. With more than 6,500 employees, Hensoldt achieved a turnover of EUR1.7 billion last year.
Wings for Aid is at the forefront of developing cargo drones for humanitarian use, primarily for the Red Cross and World Food Program. The company’s motto is “reaching people anywhere.” Partners include the Dutch and German Aerospace Centres NLR and DLR.
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