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Explore UST’s round-up of our five most read articles in the industry this week, including new technologies, collaborations, white papers, and industry successes.
1. First West Coast Bachelor’s Degree in Drone and Autonomous Systems Launched
Fullerton College, thought to be the longest continually-running community college in California, has announced the launch of its first Bachelor of Science degree in Drone and Autonomous Systems, set to begin in Fall 2026.
This groundbreaking program, the first of its kind on the West Coast, will provide students with a comprehensive education in the rapidly growing field of drone technology and autonomous systems. The Bachelor of Science degree in Drone and Autonomous Systems is designed to equip students with in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in areas such as operations, management, applications, and programming.
2. Omnidirectional Tilt Rotor UAS to be Tested within Law Enforcement
Arctic Horizons Inc (AHI), a defense and unmanned aircraft systems manufacturer, announces a $2.1 million competitive award for testing its Piglet mUAS suite by a law enforcement agency. This project was facilitated through the Canadian Government’s Innovation, Science, and Economic Development (ISED) Innovative Solutions Canada program.
The Piglet system, innovated and manufactured by Arctic Horizons Inc., is a novel omnidirectional tilt rotor UAS platform with advanced aerodynamic capabilities. It is optimized for tactical deployment, intelligence, aerial observation, rapid reconnaissance missions and can be used for humanitarian purposes including search and rescue and item delivery. With its advanced sensors, the Piglet system delivers exceptional performance in diverse operational environments, enhancing law enforcement agency’s operational capacity.
3. Red Cat Supplies Australian Navy with FlightWave Tricopter Drones
Red Cat Holdings, Inc. has received a new contract and order for 12 of its FlightWave Edge 130 Blue system from the Royal Australian Navy. The contract was secured through Criterion Solutions Pty Ltd., an Australian-based distributor of intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and information technology solutions.
FlightWave, an industry-leading provider of VTOL drone, sensor and software solutions was acquired by Red Cat, a drone technology company integrating robotic hardware and software for military, government, and commercial operations, in September 2024.
4. Volatus Completes Drone Solar Farm Inspection
Volatus Aerospace has successfully completed a large drone solar farm inspection project. The inspection spanned 2,250 acres, covering over 400MW of solar power capacity and 762,750 solar panels across 16 solar fields and 1 large substation.
According to Volatus, the milestone highlights the company’s expertise in providing innovative aerial solutions for critical infrastructure sectors, including renewable energy, oil and gas, and energy utilities. Volatus utilized RGB and infrared (IR) drones in combination with handheld thermal cameras to collect comprehensive data, ensuring the solar farm’s operational readiness.
5. Lightweight LiDAR & Camera Payload Unveiled
Inertial Labs has introduced the RESEPI Ultra LITE, the company’s lightest complete payload to feature both LiDAR and camera technology. Designed with the needs of the modern surveyor in mind, the RESEPI Ultra LITE offers impressive ease of use, precision, and adaptability, making it an ideal tool for diverse mapping applications.
At its core, the RESEPI Ultra LITE integrates the XT-32 LiDAR scanner, providing surveyors with top-tier data accuracy, a high point density, and the versatility to perform in various operational modes.
