Smart Sourcing for Unmanned Systems
Discover cutting-edge solutions from leading global suppliers
Explore UST’s round-up of our five most read articles in the industry this week, including new technologies, partnerships, and field tests.
Acecore Technologies, a developer of durable VTOL drones for security and surveying applications, is supplying a fleet of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to the Royal Netherlands Army. The systems feature the Acecore Zoe M4 quadcopter, equipped with both LiDAR and RGB payloads, along with onboard processing software for generating real-time 2D and 3D maps.
These high-resolution maps support engineering teams in the field, offering detailed situational awareness to help evaluate terrain features such as the structural integrity of bridges ahead of troop movements.
2. Spexi + LayerDrone: A New Era of Aerial Intelligence
Drone pilots around the world are helping create the first decentralized, standardized, and ultra-detailed imagery layer of the Earth, and they’re getting paid to do it.
Meanwhile, organizations that rely on satellite or fixed-wing imagery can now access data that’s 900× more detailed, 50 X faster, and 200X more affordable. Welcome to Spexi, powered by the LayerDrone network – building a real-time, crowd-powered map of the planet, and anyone can take part.
3. Nearthlab Joins Red Cat Futures Initiative to Advance Drone Technology
Nearthlab, an AI-driven drone company, has entered into a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Red Cat Holdings, a U.S.-based drone technology firm, establishing the company as an official member of Red Cat’s Futures Initiative (RFI).
Launched in May 2024, RFI brings together key players in AI, swarm technologies, command and control, and payload systems to accelerate innovation. The initiative also supports the Pentagon’s Replicator program, which aims to rapidly deploy autonomous, attritable systems across multiple domains.
4. Hitec Introduces Specialized Servos for Demanding Environments
In 2025, Hitec Commercial Solutions (HCS) will introduce a new range of servos designed to meet the precision control requirements of unmanned systems. The new lineup includes three distinct servo actuator series, SR, SU, and BD, each developed for specific operational environments and performance demands.
The SR-Series is built for applications requiring redundant control systems. These servos operate on 12V or 24V power and feature a compact 33mm case. Utilizing Maxon brushless DC motors (BLDC), the SR-Series supports multiple control protocols, including CAN, DroneCAN, RS-485, and PWM.
5. UAVOS Tests New AI-Powered Software Platform for Drone Inspection
UAVOS, a developer of unmanned aerial technologies and software solutions, has field-tested its new AI-powered software platform designed to automatically analyze, interpret, and manage large volumes of drone inspection data.
The AI Report Generator solution addresses a critical industry need to convert massive drone-collected imagery into fast, actionable intelligence, without manual review. UAVOS’ new software solution has been leveraged in projects and reduced inspection-to-report turnaround time by over 70%.
