DDC uses detect & avoid system on Care by Air delivery route
DDc purchases the first Sparrowhawk radar ground-based detect and avoid system from Canadian UAVs for deployment on DDC's Care by Air delivery route.
Drone Delivery Canada announces the purchase of the first Sparrowhawk radar ground-based detect and avoid system from Canadian UAVs for deployment on DDC's Care by Air delivery route. Sparrowhawk had already been licensed by Transport Canada to enable activities beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).
The Care by Air route transports medical isotopes from DSV Air & Sea. Canada's (DSV) logistics facility in Milton, Ontario to Oakville Trafalgar Memorial Hospital using DDC's proprietary drone delivery method.
Sparrowhawk was first integrated at the DSV facility in Milton to serve the Care by Air route, with intentions to expand its use to more delivery routes in the future. Sparrowhawk is also linked with DDC's proprietary FLYTE software, allowing all operations to be carried out in line with Canadian Aviation Rules and Transport Canada flying authorizations. DDC will continue to supervise flights remotely from its Operations Control Centre in Vaughan, Ontario.
“We are continually looking to partner with leaders in the UAV industry and as such we are excited to work with Canadian UAVs and their Sparrowhawk system. Canadian UAVs are recognized as a leader in this space, and we look forward to leveraging their technology on the Care by Air route initially and then potentially expanding to other routes in the future,” said Steve Magirias, CEO, DDC.
DDC plans to work with Canadian UAVs and Transport Canada to obtain BVLOS approval for the Care by Air route initially and then seek to expand the approval to cover the entire range of the Sparrowhawk to support multiple routes developed in partnership with DSV and Air Canada.
“From a single Sparrowhawk Radar, over 650km2 become available for coordinated drone operations. As our premier launch customer, DDC has wisely applied this technology for drone delivery, opening the possibility for wide area urban package delivery. This is an exciting time for our industry and for Canada,” said John Molberg, VP Innovation of Canadian UAVs.
