Unmanned Systems Canada (USC) and partners LOOKNorth are encouraging Canadian companies, academia and R&D organizations in the Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) sector to apply for funding to advance Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.
USC and LOOKNorth worked together to secure funding and support from Transport Canada for projects that will shape the regulatory framework and accelerate the commercialization of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) or ‘drones’ operating Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS).
Funding from the USC/LOOKNorth BVLOS Testbed Project will support research and demonstration projects in four key streams pertinent to Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) unmanned aerial applications.
As per the April 25, 2018 Call for Proposals circulated to USC members and posted on the USC website:
About the USC/LOOKNorth National BVLOS Testbed Project
The Call For Proposals invited Canadian small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s), academics and R&D organizations to ‘demonstrate and evaluate procedures and technologies for the safe operation of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) operating Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS).’
These USC/LOOKNorth National BVLOS Testbed Projects take critical steps to validate the safety case for the integration of BVLOS capabilities into the national airspace.
Mark Aruja, Chairman of Unmanned Systems Canada, explains the benefit for all organizations in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) sector:
“These collaborations are expected to drive and accelerate the development of new applications, attract investment capital, and improve the competitive position of Canadian companies in the global marketplace.” Mark Aruja
About the USC/LOOKNorth National BVLOS Testbed Project
The USC April 25, 2018 press release announces the National BLVOS Request for Proposals and has links to a document outlining the four areas of interest, funding contribution levels, applicant criteria and timelines.
About BVLOS Testbed Project Manager, LOOKNorth
LOOKNorth was established in 2011 as a national Centre of Excellence for Commercialization and Research (CECR) under the Government of Canada’s Network of Centres of Excellence (NCE) Program. LOOKNorth identifies, evaluates, and accelerates the development of monitoring technologies that support the growth of Canada’s remote sensing sector. Their UAS work is supported in part by a National Research Council Canada Industrial Research Assistance Program (IRAP) Contribution to Organization grant and sponsors such as C-Core, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador, the Research Development Corporation and Memorial University. Their work estimated to generate over $80M in direct and indirect economic activity by supporting 48 technology SME’s, 12 universities, and 35 projects.
About BVLOS Testbed Project Partner, Unmanned Systems Canada
Unmanned Systems Canada was founded in 2003 as the national not-for-profit association representing the aerial, ground, and marine unmanned vehicle sectors. USC members include professional operators, manufacturers, software developers, training organizations, academia, students, policy and business consultants, partner associations, and government.
USC represents Canada at international policy tables and co-chairs the Industry/Government Working Group with Transport Canada to develop the regulatory framework for UAS. USC hosts two national annual post-secondary student competitions (for both UAV/aerial and UGV/ground students) and Canada’s National UAS Industry Directory.
Project updates will be circulated via USC NEWS and through a #BVLOS Panel presentations at the 16th Annual ‘Unmanned Canada’ industry association conference and trade show in Vancouver, BC this October.
Sign up for USC NEWS to keep informed about USC projects and this year’s #UC18Vancouver national conference and tradeshow. Registration opens soon, so save the date (October 30th to November 1st, 2018)!
*Article reposted in new USC webpage format from original post May 3, 2018 at 8:36am
