On February 5th and 6th, successful flight tests of the Songbird 150 by Horus Technologies were conducted at the “Marcello Arlotta” Airport in Grottaglie (TA). During these tests, various programmed maneuvers were executed to validate the drone’s essential BVLOS operational functions, as well as to confirm the performance of the Flight Termination System (FTS), which was the primary objective of this initiative.
Flight Techniques and Technologies
The success of these operations is closely linked to the expertise of UAS operators and their advanced technical capabilities, which include: drone control and data transmission over parallel channels, collision prevention in shared airspace, and compliance with stringent aviation regulations.
Technological Validation and Regulatory Compliance
The three test flights, authorized by ENAC with a specific operational authorization (Authorization No. ITA-OAT-00118/000), yielded positive and satisfactory results for verifying BVLOS flight capabilities related to autonomy and operational range (cruise speed of 72 km/h, NE wind 5-8 m/s, payload of 2.4 kg), network coverage (360° uniform antenna coverage), and operational safety, particularly in clearance times and emergency return procedures (under 10 minutes).
Key Operational Data Obtained During the Flights
HORUS Technologies, the exclusive distributor of the Songbird 150 in Italy, conducted flights with various angles relative to the ground station, reaching a maximum distance of 4 km. The flight tests validated critical data regarding the aircraft’s advanced technologies. Among the key results of its operational functions, notable technical data includes:
- 40-minute flight time and 48 km operational range with a single battery pack
- Real-time HD video with Digital Data Link at 2.4 GHz
- Antenna coverage for telemetry at 868 MHz and 2.4 GHz
- VPN-based telemetry via 4G internet connection
- Geofencing function
- Remote/ID FLARM
- Live Video Distribution Platform
BVLOS: Meaning and Potential
Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) refers to unmanned aircraft flights beyond the operator’s visual range, for scientific, monitoring, or logistical purposes. This opens new frontiers, including emergency medical transport, which is the next verification step planned by Horus Technologies.
