UAV Solutions Phoenix ACE LE UAS
UAV Solutions, Inc. (UAVS) has operated its Phoenix ACE LE unmanned aircraft system (UAS) utilizing a 4G LTE network for beyond line of sight (BLOS) capability.
The Phoenix ACE LE is a small multi rotor capable of flying for more than one hour. The system comes in a backpack and includes all that is required to be flight ready: a charging station, Windows tablet and joystick, Mission Planner software, batteries and a camera sensor. Sensor options include a combined electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR), multispectral, 10x zoom day and an action camera.
Utilizing a standard data plan, a modified set of avionics and a 4G LTE modem in the air vehicle, UAVS was able to fly from a distance of more than 60 miles. An operator can remotely operate the UAS BLOS with any internet connection including a 4G LTE hotspot, anywhere in the 4G LTE network. During the flights, the operator had full control of the air vehicle as well as autonomous mission planning. Users were able to view full motion live video as well as operate the on board camera. During our first demonstration, the operator flew four fifty-minute flights.
“Applying 4G LTE technology for the flight of unmanned systems allows the proficient user to operate from anywhere on the globe with the assistance of a technician on the ground and a cellular network,” stated Bill Davidson, chief executive officer and chief engineer. “Future possibilities for this technology include remote unmanned inspection stations.”
