New aircraft expand University of Alaska Fairbanks’ capabilities for long-range unmanned operations
The University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (ACUASI) has added two large-payload Windracers ULTRA drones to its fleet. The aircraft will be used for testing cargo delivery and emergency response operations across Alaska’s challenging terrain.
The twin-engine ULTRA aircraft arrived in Fairbanks on September 22, with the first flight under full ACUASI control conducted on October 1 at the program’s Nenana airport hangar. Both aircraft are now fully operational.
ACUASI Cargo Drone Trials: Expanding Capabilities in Harsh Conditions
The ULTRA has a wingspan of 31 feet, a range of about 600 miles, and a cargo capacity of 200 pounds. Its three cargo drop doors and ability to take off from dirt, grass, ice, or tarmac make it well suited for Alaska’s remote and varied environments.
“We are excited to have these aircraft in our fleet. With their first Alaska test flights completed, we are eager to expose them to more of Alaska’s challenging aviation environment,” said ACUASI Director Cathy Cahill.
Cahill added that the center’s goal is to make unmanned aircraft operations routine across Alaska. “Our goal is to create an environment for the commercial sector in which unmanned aircraft, including cargo aircraft, become ubiquitous in Alaska and enhance aviation safety by keeping pilots from flying during risky conditions,” she said.
Supporting Emergency Operations
ACUASI Chief Pilot Jason Williams emphasized the potential for these aircraft to aid emergency response across the state. “This has huge implications during emergency situations like ice dam floods if all the roads are blocked or the airports are untenable and during times of limited visibility when crewed aircraft cannot get to some of the smaller airports,” Williams said.
He added that unmanned aircraft could be launched to deliver supplies or even land in zero visibility conditions, provided that the destination runway had been previously surveyed.
Industry Collaboration
Windracers Chief Flight Operations Officer Rob Datson described the Alaska program as an important milestone for the company. “Windracers is proud to support the University of Alaska Fairbanks as they put their Windracers ULTRAs to work conducting missions in one of the world’s most demanding environments,” he said. “The Fairbanks team are truly experts in the use of advanced drone technology, and Windracers values the collaboration on platform integration and operational training.”
The ACUASI team trained with Windracers operators in Indiana earlier this year to prepare for these missions.
About ACUASI
ACUASI is part of the UAF Geophysical Institute and one of seven FAA-approved UAS test sites in the United States. Supported by the state of Alaska, the University of Alaska system, and a variety of grants and contracts, the program works with state and federal partners to integrate unmanned systems into the national airspace.
Its fleet includes a wide range of aircraft, payloads, and ground control equipment capable of global deployment.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
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