Canadian UAVs is announcing a recent approval from the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as it pertains to using the SparrowhawkTM Radar as a ground based detect and alert system (GBDAA). Installed in Irving, Texas, Sparrowhawk is the sole detect and alert system enabling Irving P.D. to operate their drone as a first responder (DFR) program throughout the city.
Sparrowhawk is installed centrally within the city and provides an umbrella of airspace detection up to 5000 feet at a max range of 12 nautical miles (23km). Within this airspace, police first responders are operating ‘drones-in-a-box’ provided by Unmanned Vehicle Technologies (UVT)of Arkansas. These drone boxes are situated throughout the city and can be activated immediately.
“One of the major advantages to Sparrowhawk is that it can run 24 hours a day, in any weather, and enables an unlimited number of drones. By determining an airspace ‘fingerprint’ over time AND monitoring real-time activity, operators can react immediately and become airborne within seconds using the closest drone to the incident. DFR has decreased police response times by 300% within the city. We are thrilled to be working with both our partners at UVT, and the Irving P.D.” – John Molberg, VP Innovation, Canadian UAVs.
Irving, Texas is situated in the middle of Dallas and Fort Worth, adjacent to the third busiest airport in the world. With Sparrowhawk Radar tracking exceeding 95%, it was deemed by the FAA to provide adequate situational awareness and manned aircraft tracking to allow the police to operate their drones up to 400 feet.
Sparrowhawk is a purpose-built DAA radar. Commenced in 2016, initial BVLOS approval was granted in Canada in October 2020. Since that time, Canadian UAVs and other operators have conducted hundreds of BVLOS missions.
“This year we anticipate to be flying over 50,000 missions beyond visual of line of sight with Sparrowhawk”says Molberg.
Sparrowhawk has been sold in 4 countries, having received BVLOS approval in both Canada and the United States. Testing is ongoing with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the United Kingdom as part of the Airspace Strategy Modernisation Fund: Project Dragon’s Eye to achieve similar approvals.
