Mexican Media Brands
UPS Approved for Drone Deliveries in U.S.
UPS has been approved by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to operate commercial drones.
#regulations
Share
United Parcel Services of America Inc. has been approved by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration to operate commercial drone delivery aircraft, which the company says is the nation’s first such certification.
The delivery giant’s UPS Flight Forward Inc. subsidiary initially will use remotely controlled drones to deliver supplies to hospitals and other medical facilities.
The first certified drone delivery—with a Matternet M2 quadcopter—was made last week to WakeMed’s campus in Raleigh, N.C., following about 1,100 deliveries to the facility under an earlier pilot program. As many as 100 hospitals are expected to add the service in coming months, according to UPS.
The company aims to expand drones to its consumer delivery service in coming years. But this will require the FAA to drop restrictions that currently prohibit such flights in urban areas.
The new FAA certification allows Flight Forward to operate an unlimited number of drones and remote operators. The drones can carry more than 55 lbs, fly at night and be operated outside of a controller’s line of sight, none of which was allowed with earlier test drones. Each new route must be approved separately.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Jeeps Modified for Moab
On Easter morning in Moab, Utah, when the population of that exceedingly-hard-to-get-to town in one of the most beautiful settings on Earth has more than doubled, some people won’t be hunting for Easter eggs, but will be trying to get a good look at one of the vehicles six that Jeep has prepared for real-life, fast-feedback from the assembled at the annual Easter Jeep Safari.
-
Mustang Changes for 2018
On Tuesday Ford unveiled—using the social media channels of actor Dwayne Johnson (this has got to unnerve some of the auto buff book editors)—the 2018 Mustang, which has undergone some modifications: under the hood (the 3.7-liter V6 is giving way to a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four, and a 10-speed automatic is available), on the dash (a 12-inch, all-digital LCD screen is available for the dashboard), at the tires (12 wheel choices), on the chassis (MagneRide damper technology is being offered with the Mustang Performance Package), and on the exterior (three new paint colors). And while on the subject of the exterior, there are some notable changes—a lower, remodeled hood, repositioned hood vents, new upper and lower front grilles, LED front lights, revised LED taillamps, new rear bumper and fascia.
-
GM Is Down with Diesels
General Motors is one company that is clearly embracing the diesel engine.
