Communicating Across Unmanned Aircraft Systems in a Disaster
On October 13, 2016, at Cobb Island, Md., and Cambridge, Md., engineers from the UAS Test Site along with Charles County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) cooperated on a demonstration that tested the ANRA Technologies solution. ANRA is a cloud-based drone operation platform that allows real time flight management, flight tracking, planning, and sensor data management and dissemination enabling multiple UAS operators to plan and remotely share video, pictures, and tracks.
“The ability to communicate in real time across platforms enhances first responder UAS efforts,” said Matthew Scassero, Director of the UMD UAS Test Site. “We will continue to test communications network systems that facilitate this type of work.”
Scenarios included a water rescue where first responders dropped self-inflating life preservers in Neale Sound near Cobb Island. Two preservers were dropped from UMD’s “Water Rescue” multi-rotor UAS to simulated victims in two separate locations. First responders were able to interact with the UAS as well as across cell phones, laptops, and desktops to conduct mission-critical tasks.
“This demonstration is one of the many ways our department is working with UMD to better understand how to effectively and safely apply unmanned aircraft to support the services we provide the citizens of Charles County,” said Chief John Filer of the Charles County Department of Emergency Services.
Source: Communicating Across Unmanned Aircraft Systems in a Disaster
