Enel has completed the deployment of Percepto’s Sparrow UAS for use at its Torrevaldaliga Nord power plant in Italy, the company announced on 21 May. The multipurpose Sparrow UAS will provide operational and maintenance support at Enel’s power plant.
The UAS is housed in a self-contained base unit from where it launches and lands autonomously. The system will fly in automated mode, but under the supervision of an operator as Italy's regulatory framework does not currently allow fully autonomous drone flight.
The Percepto Base shelters, charges, transfers data and conducts health checks on the UAS when it is not in operation. The system is able to sustain harsh weather conditions, such as heavy rain, snow and dust, allowing it to operate throughout the year.
The UAS carries a permanent dual payload of day and night-vision (thermal) cameras enabling round-the-clock operations including the collection of aerial video, snapshots and data that can be transmitted to Enel personnel in real-time.
Dor Abuhasira, CEO of Percepto, said: ‘While drones are touted as the technology of the future, the ability to act autonomously unlocks their true potential, enabling them to act as a responsible, independent and smart "team member" that provides not only a bird's-eye view of facilities, but real, actionable insights.'
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.
DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.
Funded by the country’s former president, the new C-UAS systems will be sent to the frontline where they have already been tested against Russian invading forces.
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