Unmanned reconnaissance aircraft is not a foreign concept for the militaries of advanced nations, such as the United States. However, in the commercial sector, this is still a relatively new idea.
Manufacturers are actively competing to enter the promising market of civilian drones. The operational scope of these aircraft is vast: monitoring road and maritime traffic, inspecting crops, tracking droughts, overseeing oil pipelines, and border protection, among others. A notable representative of the new generation of civilian unmanned aircraft was recently showcased at the Farnborough Airshow in the UK.
A demonstration aircraft at the Farnborough Airshow
(Photo: ukairshows.info)
Its name is Herti, manufactured by the British company BAE Systems. The aircraft features an advanced sensor and camera system that allows it to operate without the need for a traditional remote control system. Herti can “think” for itself. Users simply need to program a precise flight path, and with just a click, it will autonomously handle everything from takeoff to landing. It is capable of self-managing in emergency situations, such as detecting another aircraft that may pose a collision risk.
