French government agencies select fixed-wing UAVs

French government agencies have selected DT18 and DT26X drones as the official choice for purchasing fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVS), maker Delair-Tech has revealed.

The decision was made by the Union of Public Procurement Groups (UGAP) which acts as the purchasing conduit for government agencies across the country, said the firm. The drones will be added to UGAP’s purchasing catalogue, which is used by public agencies including firefighters, the army, police forces, departmental governments, research laboratories and universities, as well as private companies with a public service delegation, Delair-Tech explained.

The move follows the news that in 2012, Delair-Tech’s DT18 became the first commercial drone certified as S4 by the French government, a designation that confirmed its ability to fly beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS).

The purchase contracts offered by Delair-Tech through UGAP will include integrated imagery sensors for capturing data (including thermal infrared and LiDAR) and accessories such as flight software, batteries and spare parts. The agreements will also provide training for two pilots, maintenance service, support in drafting of documents required to register as a drone operator, and creation of a drone testing and training facility, said Delair-Tech. It also includes the capability to process and analyse the data collected by the drones through the company’s Delair-Stack software platform.