Trains.com

Rockwell Collins, BNSF Railway Demo Long-Distance BVLOS Drone Operations

3013 views
13 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    July 2008
  • 2,319 posts
Rockwell Collins, BNSF Railway Demo Long-Distance BVLOS Drone Operations
Posted by rdamon on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 7:47 PM

https://unmanned-aerial.com/rockwell-collins-bnsf-railway-demo-long-distance-bvlos-drone-operations

"In a series of test flights conducted over the last nine months, Rockwell Collins and BNSF Railway have demonstrated how UAS are used to perform beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) long linear operations, such as inspecting railway tracks using unmanned aircraft, which can increase safety and efficiency for railroads.

Additionally, through authorization received from the FAA, BNSF is flying without visual observers.

During the flights, BNSF controlled its aircraft utilizing the Rockwell Collins control radio data link network deployed throughout BNSF’s Clovis, N.M., operational subdivision. Using BNSF’s licensed radio spectrum and telecommunications network, the command and control radio automatically detects the best tower-to-aircraft link and manages tower handoffs while maintaining positive aircraft control as the UAS navigates across the range." (snip)

 

 

 

  • Member since
    January 2002
  • From: Cedar Rapids, IA
  • 4,212 posts
Posted by blhanel on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 8:13 PM

Awesome- never thought I'd see a topic here mentioning my former employer (retired Rockwell Collins Systems Engineer).

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Iowa
  • 3,293 posts
Posted by Semper Vaporo on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 9:03 PM

Yes, that was kind of a "whoa" moment for me, too.

(retired Rockwell Collins Test Equipment Programmer).

Semper Vaporo

Pkgs.

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • 2,319 posts
Posted by rdamon on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 7:49 PM
So is the next step having the RR Police using Predators?
  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 24,860 posts
Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, May 10, 2017 8:29 PM

rdamon
So is the next step having the RR Police using Predators?
 

Gives new meaning to that "smite" cartoon....

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    March 2016
  • From: Burbank IL (near Clearing)
  • 13,476 posts
Posted by CSSHEGEWISCH on Thursday, May 11, 2017 6:48 AM

rdamon
So is the next step having the RR Police using Predators?
 

 
And just what use would special agents have for a bunch of hockey players??Whistling
The daily commute is part of everyday life but I get two rides a day out of it. Paul
  • Member since
    January 2001
  • From: Atlanta
  • 11,968 posts
Posted by oltmannd on Thursday, May 11, 2017 7:28 AM

blhanel

Awesome- never thought I'd see a topic here mentioning my former employer (retired Rockwell Collins Systems Engineer).

 

Cool stuff!  Rockwell Colllins did the first integrated display stuff (ICE) for EMD.  A really capable outfit!

-Don (Random stuff, mostly about trains - what else? http://blerfblog.blogspot.com/

RME
  • Member since
    March 2016
  • 2,073 posts
Posted by RME on Thursday, May 11, 2017 8:22 AM

CSSHEGEWISCH
rdamon
So is the next step having the RR Police using Predators?
And just what use would special agents have for a bunch of hockey players??

 
None.  He's referring to the secret underground plan to clone EHH's relatives for increased effective security.
 
  • Member since
    July 2008
  • 2,319 posts
Posted by rdamon on Thursday, May 11, 2017 11:02 AM

I would like to see a bunch of taggers confronted by some hockey players :)

  • Member since
    April 2007
  • From: Iowa
  • 3,293 posts
Posted by Semper Vaporo on Thursday, May 11, 2017 4:28 PM

oltmannd
blhanel

Awesome- never thought I'd see a topic here mentioning my former employer (retired Rockwell Collins Systems Engineer). 

Cool stuff!  Rockwell Colllins did the first integrated display stuff (ICE) for EMD.  A really capable outfit!

 

They certainly were, but Brian and I retired!

Semper Vaporo

Pkgs.

  • Member since
    June 2003
  • From: South Central,Ks
  • 7,159 posts
Posted by samfp1943 on Thursday, May 11, 2017 10:16 PM

 

 


 

RME
  • Member since
    March 2016
  • 2,073 posts
Posted by RME on Friday, May 12, 2017 1:44 PM

samfp1943
Railroad Cops with Predator Drone and Hellfire missiles...

Each one of those missiles costs over $850,000.  And we have people with great long moaning threads about how the railroads won't spring for cameras and canine officers to combat the Awful Scourge That Is Graffiti?  Perhaps we can budget them through FEMA to go with all that armor-piercing ammunition they got, and declare the tagging problem a national emergency of some sort... it is certainly more an emergency than, say, the public health hazard from methamphetamine.

Personally, I'm far more in favor of poetic justice -- repurpose a few of the big octos now being developed so they carry a pressurized dye payload, like the stuff used in those anti-theft tags for clothing or in bank bags, and have them swoop down to tag the taggers.  Subsequent easy recognition, and very difficult to have an alibi (I might think it might drive some traffic to this site: taggers who need to bone up on railfan subjects and lingo to make a creditable case for being where they were at the time...)

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 24,860 posts
Posted by tree68 on Friday, May 12, 2017 3:35 PM

RME
Each one of those missiles costs over $850,000.

Sarchasm....

 

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

RME
  • Member since
    March 2016
  • 2,073 posts
Posted by RME on Friday, May 12, 2017 3:51 PM

tree68
Sarchasm....

Is that when sarcasm falls into a ravine?

Hyperbole might be a better term.  Did you think I was unaware of his intent, or did you not read the part of the post after the price in your haste to get that comment out?

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy