International conference focuses on how Unmanned Cargo solutions will play an increasingly significant role in humanitarian and commercial operations – VTOL UAV Applications for Cargo Deliveries Today – presentation by David Willems
The unique role for unmanned VTOL (Vertical Take-off and Landing) technologies and cargo solutions is the theme of a keynote address to be delivered by UMS SKELDAR Head of Business Development David Willems on the first day of the Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Conference, Maaspoort, Venlo, The Netherlands: 13th June 2017.
Willems spotlights three case studies spotlighting the UMS SKELDAR V-200 platform and its application as a VTOL and potential to deliver cargo:
- Industrial installations support
- Harsh / Hazardous Environment Deliveries
- Disaster Relief (Food drops, Medical Aid)
- Rescue Operations
The first two examples, involves pilot-line stringing for a Scandinavian utility provider and delivery of supplies and spares. The project delivered in Norway had previously been undertaken by piloted aircraft, with high risks for personnel and aircraft in a region known for challenging weather conditions.
Food delivery, as part of a disaster relief programme will also be discussed by Willems, who cites a fully designed operation to deliver relief in a war zone for an international organisation. The project was not implemented because the situation in the theatre deteriorated rapidly before the operation could be commenced.
The mission concept was to provide food relief to a besieged population; fly a 65km corridor from nearby country border to drop zone; drop payload and return.
As an example, and with over four years of fighting, the battle of Aleppo represents one of the longest sieges in modern warfare, which left an estimated 31,183 people dead, almost a tenth of the overall Syrian war casualties. Humanitarian relief, if provided by VTOL UAVs, could have helped save lives.
Ongoing conflicts around the world. 
Major wars, 10,000+ deaths in current or past calendar year 
Wars, 1,000–9,999 deaths in current or past calendar year 
Minor conflicts, 100-999 deaths in current or past calendar year 
Skirmishes and clashes, fewer than 100 deaths in current or past calendar year Only the locations where the conflicts are taking place, not the warring parties, are coloured. For example, for the war in Afghanistan only Afghanistan itself is coloured.
According to Willems:
“The cost of drone delivery still remains a barrier to mass implementation, except in mission critical situations where life is threatened, such as war zones, disaster relief, dangerous tasks and essential repairs and maintenance. However, VTOL UAVs provide immediate and precision access points and clearly have an advantage over fixed wing platforms, unless great distances demand to be covered.”
Comparing delivery costs per ton mile, provided by consulting firm Aerotas, he cited four categories:
- Drone delivery: $2,000
- Same day ground truck delivery: $40
- Air freight: $1.37
- National truck: $0.20
“Our work with humanitarian agencies and supply in difficult and hazardous terrains from mountain ranges to maritime territories, proves the value of unmanned VTOL solutions, and inevitably the cost ratio will continue to decrease enabling deployment across a range of applications through to parcel deliveries from retailer to consumer,”
he explains.
Amazon showed off its commercial delivery drone at the SXSW conference in March in Austin, although it did not demonstrate the drone in flight. Drone delivery technology is developing with UPS, Walmart and Google, among other companies, also working on delivery drones. Meanwhile, FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) regulations require that drones be flown within line of sight, namely in sight of their (human) operators, which limits their range.
Earlier this year, Swiss Post, the Ticino EOC hospital group and Matternet launched a joint innovation project: they plan to use modern delivery drones to transport laboratory samples autonomously between two EOC hospitals in Lugano – the Ospedale Italiano and the Ospedale Civico. The samples are currently transported by road. The use of drones will make transport faster and more efficient in order to further enhance the provision of care to patients.
OTHER ARTICLES
-
20/06/2019 |Global success of UMS SKELDAR expansion strategy prompts appointment focused on after sales programmes
-
07/05/2019 |QinetiQ Wins C$51m Contract with the Canadian Armed Forces’ Unmanned Aircraft System Service program
-
17/04/2019 |UMS SKELDAR V-200 now monitoring ship emissions in Danish waters.
-
28/02/2019 |UMS SKELDAR chooses Australia for the world debut of its first full-scale mock-up of V-200 with Wescam™ MX8 sensor
-
19/02/2019 |MULTI-MILLION EURO CONTRACT WINS BOOST JOBS AND HERALDS FURTHER GLOBAL EXPANSION OF UMS SKELDAR
-
29/11/2018 |SKELDAR V-200 VTOL UAV selected for multi-million Euro contract with European Maritime Safety Agency
-
21/11/2018 |UMS SKELDAR partners with ESG on successful demonstration of manned – unmanned teaming (MUM-T) of helicopters
-
15/11/2018 |SKELDAR V-200 to discuss NATO rollout strategy at NIDV Defence Symposium in Rotterdam
-
13/11/2018 |UMS SKELDAR demonstrates flagship V-200 at one of the world’s most influential oil and gas industry events, ADIPEC
-
22/10/2018 |UMS SKELDAR joins forces with Scanfil to create dedicated volume production line for flagship unmanned helicopter
-
15/10/2018 |UMS SKELDAR briefings at Helitech International 2018
-
05/09/2018 |UMS SKELDAR confirms unmatched sensor capability in rotary UAV sector
-
04/09/2018 |UMS SKELDAR and Airflite announce exclusive MRO partnership to service Australasia market for rotary UAV
-
16/08/2018 |GERMAN NAVY SELECTS SKELDAR V-200 TO PROVIDE UAV RECONNAISSANCE CAPABILITY
-
16/07/2018 |UMS SKELDAR commitment to Australia base confirms Pacific Rim as priority market for rotary UAV’s
-
16/07/2018 |UMS SKELDAR focus on naval power UAV roll out with next generation V-200 announced at Farnborough
-
30/05/2018 |UMS SKELDAR and QinetiQ Target Systems announce partnership at CANSEC
-
21/05/2018 |UMS SKELDAR UNMANNED HELICOPTER FOCUS AND STRATEGIC PROGRAMME SPOTLIGHTS AUSTRALIAN PARTNERS
-
01/05/2018 |UMS SKELDAR ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF THE ASSETS OF GERMAN GLOBAL ENGINE MANUFACTURER HIRTH
-
24/04/2018 |UMS SKELDAR showcases NATO-compliant unmanned helicopters with partner ESG at ILA Berlin
-
29/03/2018 |UMS SKELDAR expansion strategy boosts recruitment drive.
-
07/02/2018 |UMS SKELDAR EXEC VISITS SINGAPORE AIRSHOW 2018 TO SHOWCASE ROTARY UAV DUO
-
22/01/2018 |UMS SKELDAR V-200 UAS selected for unmanned surveillance role in OCEAN2020 programme by European Defence Agency
-
30/11/2017 |Netherlands Navy Focus: Skeldar V-200 Maritime Integration Showcased At NIDV Defence Symposium In Rotterdam
-
23/11/2017 |UMS SKELDAR and ESG complete week-long R-350 flight demonstrations for Bundeswehr
-
11/11/2017 |UMS SKELDAR launches new R-350 VTOL platform as part of ‘dynamic duo’ line up with flagship SKELDAR V-200 at Dubai Airshow
-
05/11/2017 |Peace-keeping role in Korea envisaged for SKELDAR V-200
-
04/10/2017 |UMS SKELDAR confirms regional focus with commitment to a base in Australia by 2018
-
03/10/2017 |SKELDAR V-200 confirms its status as pioneer of heavy fuel capabilities
-
13/09/2017 |UMS SKELDAR leads UAS industry with award of first AS/EN 9100 Standard
-
12/09/2017 |UMS SKELDAR and JetLease launch first global UAV leasing platform
-
20/06/2017 |UMS SKELDAR and Sentient sign MOU to provide ViDAR with NATO-compliant rotary SKELDAR V-200
-
12/06/2017 |UMS SKELDAR showcases the role for rotary UAVs at international Unmanned Cargo Aircraft Conference.
-
20/02/2017 |UMS SKELDAR spotlights SKELDAR V-200 at IDEX as part of ISR and SAR requirements in the Middle East
-
12/12/2016 |UMS SKELDAR extends partnership with ESG by adding high-tech sensors to its UAV portfolio
-
28/09/2016 |UMS SKELDAR joins forces with partner ESG at German Navy Workshop
-
26/09/2016 |UMS SKELDAR eyes pole position as UAV partner of choice for world navies
-
10/08/2016 |Training programmes in Asia-Pacific
-
09/06/2016 |UMS SKELDAR signs enhanced partnership agreement with ESG to include SKELDAR V-200.
-
30/05/2016 |UMS SKELDAR joins forces with ESG at ILA Berlin International Airshow
-
04/05/2016 |UMS SKELDAR LANDS EUROPE’S FIRST NATIONAL UAV LICENSE
-
29/04/2016 |UMS SKELDAR announces Latin America as priority focus…
-
27/04/2016 |Xponential 2016 New Orleans
-
18/04/2016 |UMS SKELDAR provides Indonesian Army security control measures
-
23/03/2016 |UMS SKELDAR official launch of new Swedish facility.
-
18/03/2016 |QinetiQ chooses UMS SKELDAR for Welsh Government project
-
03/03/2016 |UMS SKELDAR to demonstrate its flagship F-330 Fixed Wing in United Arab Emirates
-
16/02/2016 |Multimillion dollar managed services contracts.
-
15/02/2016 |South East Asia as priority market
-
15/02/2016 |UMS Skeldar integrates UMS Aero and Saab
-
08/02/2016 |SINGAPORE AIR SHOW 2016
-
21/12/2015 |Saab And UMS Aero Group AG Establish Strategic Partnership…
