Raptor UAS has partnered with Horizon Energy Systems and Northern Colorado Search & Rescue to attempt to set loiter endurance and a distance record using commercially available fuel cell and a small UAV to fly over the North Sea powered by hydrogen gas. Raptor UAS has started a Kick Starter campaign to help fund this Project. We will be using a Raptor E1 and a Horizon Energy Systems fuel cell to fly from Scotland to Norway. A portion of the funds raised will be used to provide Northern Colorado Search & Rescue with a turn key Raptor E1 system. The link to te Kick Starter campaign is listed below, please check it out for more information.
Raptor UAS Kickstarter campaign
Northern Colorado Search & Rescue is a 100% volunteer non profit rescue group that has been implementing an aggressive UAS program. A primary focus of the program besides rescue operations is public education, UAS research, and Training. NOCO SAR's education program is focused on teaching the public the positive aspects of UAV's and training civilian commercial and recreational operators how to operate safely and within federal and local guidelines and laws. NOCO SAR's research program is a joint effort between NOCO SAR, a local unnamed UAS manufacturer, and another local SAR team. Research focuses on developing a Concept of Operation that demonstrates that UAS can be implemented safely into the airspace during emergency operations. The purpose of this COO is to pressure the FAA to develop relaxed guidelines and regulations for emergency service operators meeting set standards. We are also working on a UAS flight log and maintnance tracking software that could be used by emergency service, commercial, and recreational operators. NOCO SAR's Training program is an attempt to develop Standard Operating Procedures and training curriculum that can be taught to outside agencies looking to implement a UAS program. This would allow a standard to be adopted so that all operators would have the ability to integrate seamlessly into emergency operations nation wide.
In closing we believe Raptor UAS, Horizon Energy Systems, and Northern Colorado Search & Rescue are all taking steps in the right direction to improve the future of UAS operations and we would appreciate the support of the DIY Drones community.
Comments
A tad sour comment naish88.
The logistics of the mission are rather expensive, with two open sea rated speedboats + crew.
Also in contrast to your average foamies the E1 is a rather elaborate aircraft. The reality is that the cost of the airframe plus the cost of the campagin plus the cost of the logistics are above the raising target.
I have emailed Horizon Energy Systems three times for more information on their products and have yet to hear back. If they were interested in consumers buying their products, we'd already have that information.
So 2 commercial company partner together to break a record and improve their products.. all funded by kickstarters?!
"In exchange one airframe will be donated to no profit organisation"... seriously!?