Emergency Response Drones to be Developed in Norway

By Mike Ball / 16 May 2018

Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems

Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
SUPPLIER SPOTLIGHT
Follow UST

Norwegian emergency response drone

UAS (unmanned aerial systems) developer Robot Aviation has announced that it has partnered with telecommunications firm Telenor and the Andøya Space Center to develop and test Norwegian UAS in order to improve preparedness in Svalbard.

Commercial shipping, tourism and cruise ship traffic to Svalbard and the surrounding marine areas have all grown dramatically in recent years, and this growth is set to continue. Norwegian technology companies want to start using drones to improve situational awareness, meet communications needs and increase incident response capabilities.

“Large geographic distances and areas without satisfactory coverage for mobile communication, VHF or Maritime Broadband Radio (MBR) in the area around Svalbard could prove to be challenging in the event of situations such as accidents or natural disasters,” explained Guttorm Albrigt Hansen, Head of Telenor Svalbard.

The three partners are joining forces to develop and test a Norwegian emergency response UAS, which will be fitted with telecommunications equipment as well as photo and video cameras, radar and other sensors.

The system is initially intended to be used for emergency response in the event of major accidents or disasters. The team will then assess whether the system is suitable for other purposes, such as inspection work after avalanches, animal counting and temporary communications coverage.

The three parties involved on the project are all bringing specialist expertise and experience to the partnership. Collaboration is essential if the project is to be implemented successfully, as it is expected to be difficult both in terms of technology and the climatic conditions in which they will be operating. The project is expected to last for around one year. Start-up is planned for June or July 2018.

Find suppliers and manufacturers of Fixed Wing UAVs >

Posted by Mike Ball Mike Ball is our resident technical editor here at Unmanned Systems Technology. Combining his passion for teaching, advanced engineering and all things unmanned, Mike keeps a watchful eye over everything related to the unmanned technical sector. With over 10 years’ experience in the unmanned field and a degree in engineering, Mike’s been heading up our technical team here for the last 8 years. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

Field-Tested: How Far Can the Dronetag RIDER Really Detect?

Dronetag’s latest video sees the RIDER Remote ID receiver put to the test, revealing its real-world detection range and previewing the new generation of Drone Scanner

May 20, 2025
Final Call to Apply for GENIUS NY Program

The application window for GENIUS NY, the premier uncrewed systems accelerator, closes May 28th. Learn about this incredible opportunity and explore how GENIUS NY champions innovation as the official XPO+ Launcher sponsor, at XPO Booth 3613

May 20, 2025
WISPR Systems Partners to Advance American-Made UAV Technology

WISPR Systems and NW Blue are joining forces to showcase advanced drone platforms designed for real-world applications, built on American-made innovation and reliability

May 20, 2025
Iridium Introduces 9603 ESBD Module for Secure Government Messaging

Iridium Communications Inc. is launching a U.S. government-specific version of its 9603 module, featuring Enhanced Short Burst Data (ESBD) for secure, low-latency mobile messaging across global defense networks

May 20, 2025
Elistair Awarded Contract to Supply Tethered Drones for Greek Fire Service

Elistair has secured a contract to supply tethered drone systems for integration into Greece’s Mobile Operations Centers, enhancing disaster response capabilities

May 20, 2025
Sunhillo to Deliver Surveillance Data Fusion for BVLOS Test Bed

Sunhillo Corporation has joined ResilienX to support the SAFE-T initiative in Tulsa, delivering surveillance data solutions for autonomous aviation development

May 20, 2025

Featured Content

Final Call to Apply for GENIUS NY Program

The application window for GENIUS NY, the premier uncrewed systems accelerator, closes May 28th. Learn about this incredible opportunity and explore how GENIUS NY champions innovation as the official XPO+ Launcher sponsor, at XPO Booth 3613

May 20, 2025
WarrenUAS Secures FAA 44807 Exemption, Expanding Large UAS Training Capabilities

WarrenUAS has received FAA 44807 approval to train students on unmanned aerial systems weighing over 55 pounds in the NAS, placing it among only five U.S. organizations with this clearance, and expanding its national training leadership

May 15, 2025
Product Spotlight: Durable Lightweight Lithium-Ion Batteries for UAVs

American Lithium Energy (ALE)'s energy-dense lithium-ion battery cells combine high power output with built-in safety features, ideal for UAV and eVTOL applications in challenging environments

May 14, 2025
Advancing Unmanned Systems Through Strategic Collaboration UST works with major OEMs to foster collaboration and increase engagement with SMEs, to accelerate innovation and drive unmanned systems capabilities forward.