The drone market is expanding very fast these days. There are many companies that are producing drones, which are being used in various sectors of the economy. Here are a few biggest companies and their most interesting products that you definitely should know about.
1. The Boeing Company
It is commonly known as one of the biggest producers of the passenger aircraft (Boeing Commercial Airplanes), but it has been also producing drones for military purposes (Boeing Defense, Space and Security). The Boeing Company produces a few types of drones, one of them is called Phantom Eye. The drone is powered by liquid hydrogen long endurance UAV and can fly for 96 hours. The company is also developing a solar-powered drone called the SolarEagle that will be capable of flying up to 60,000 feet for five years. This technology is very similar to Zephyr drone, which has been developed by QinetiQ. The drone is able to stay aloft for 336 hours and 22 minutes, or 14 days, without refuelling.
2. Airbus, Dessault Aviation and Alenia Aermacchi
It is commonly known as one of the biggest producers of the passenger aircraft (Boeing Commercial Airplanes), but it has been also producing drones for military purposes (Boeing Defense, Space and Security). The Boeing Company produces a few types of drones, one of them is called Phantom Eye. The drone is powered by liquid hydrogen long endurance UAV and can fly for 96 hours. The company is also developing a solar-powered drone called the SolarEagle that will be capable of flying up to 60,000 feet for five years. This technology is very similar to Zephyr drone, which has been developed by QinetiQ. The drone is able to stay aloft for 336 hours and 22 minutes, or 14 days, without refuelling.
2. Airbus, Dessault Aviation and Alenia Aermacchi
These are three European companies that have been developing in aviation (mostly passenger aircraft). Recently, all of them decided to turn up to the drone market. If the project will come into effect it is predicted that first drones will appear in 2020. This will help Europe to become more independent of United States.
3. Titan Aerospace
The company now has gained notoriety due to the announcement of its acquisition by Google. It is said that Google will use these drones to provide access to their services in areas where it is not possible at the moment, as well as is planning their biggest competitor Facebook. These drones are prototypes for now, but will be powered by solar energy and able to stay high in the air for several years.
4. General Atomics
The company is mostly known for constructing the Predator drone. The drone is equipped with cameras and other sensors, but it has been modified and upgraded to carry and fire two AGM-114 Hellfire missiles or other munitions. The Predator has also a bigger and more powerful variant which is MQ-9 Reaper.
5. AeroVironment
The company is known especially for its Hummingbird drone. It is a drone that mimics the look and behaviour of the hummingbird. The drone is very small, light and can hover or fly in all directions. It also carries a camera. The company is also constructing tactical military drones like RQ-11 Raven used for example to explore new territories by soldiers.
6. Vanguard Defense Industries
The company is mostly known for their drone called ShadowHawk. It is available in different variants (for example military, electric) and can fly day-after-day, for up to 3 hours at a time, on an accurate flight path, under computer control.
7. Northrop Grumman
The Northrop Grumman is also one of the biggest companies in the drone market. The X-47B is the most advanced stealth combat drone produced by this company. It can refuel itself in flight and conduct pre-programmed missions using GPS navigation. It can be equipped with sensors or weapons.
8. Prox Dynamics AS
The Prox Dynamics has developed the Black Hornet Nano, which is a drone that looks like a tiny helicopter. The Black Hornet Nano is equipped with a camera which gives the operator full-motion video and still images.
9. SAIC
Science Applications International Corporation is a US company that provides government services and information technology support. They specialize in building unmanned underwater vehicles (UUV), known as underwater drones. The vehicles are able to operate underwater without a human occupant and can be used in a defense against ultra-quiet submarines.
10. Israel Aerospace Industries
The company is the biggest aerospace and aviation manufacturer in Israel. It is producing both military and civilian aerial systems. They are developing many types of drones such as Pioneer, RQ-5 Hunter, Heron - family of long-endurance UAV, Bird-Eye - family of mini-UAV.
11. Draganflyer Innovations
This company is widely known because of its product Draganflyer X6. It is a drone that is powered by battery and it’s being one of the lightest in the drone market by now. It can be equipped with a cameras and sensors, but can’t fly longer than about 20 minutes.
Condor Aerial
It is not a big company, but it is expanding very fast these days. It has already been offering a few types of drones like: Precepter, Talon, Phoenix, Phantom-2, SeaHawk, Scorpion and Critter, with Multi-Rotor or Fixed-Wing option.
12. Condor Aerial
It is not a big company, but it is expanding very fast these days. It has already been offering a few types of drones like: Precepter, Talon, Phoenix, Phantom-2, SeaHawk, Scorpion and Critter, with Multi-Rotor or Fixed-Wing option.
Authors:
Aneta Żądło
Jan M. Krawczyk
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