Canada-based Aerial Vehicle Safety Solutions (AVSS) has introduced the PRS-M4DT, a Parachute Recovery System tailored for DJI’s latest drone-in-a-box solution, the Dock 3. This development aims to empower enterprise drone operators with the confidence to conduct missions over populated areas while adhering to stringent safety standards.
The PRS-M4DT is meticulously engineered to integrate seamlessly with DJI’s Matrice 4D and Matrice 4TD drones, both compatible with the Dock 3 system. This integration ensures that in the unlikely event of a malfunction, the parachute system can deploy promptly, mitigating potential risks to people and property below. By incorporating this technology, AVSS addresses a critical need for safety measures that facilitate more versatile and secure drone operations.
One of the standout features of the PRS-M4DT is its alignment with various international regulatory requirements. The system is designed to comply with:
- Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Operations Over People: Classifying drones equipped with the PRS-M4DT under Category 3, allowing for operations over people under specific conditions.
- Transport Canada Over People Rules: Enabling compliant flights in Canadian airspace.
- European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) MOC 2512: Meeting European standards for drone operations over populated areas.
- Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) Over People Regulations: Ensuring adherence to Australian safety protocols.
Additionally, the PRS-M4DT complies with standards set by countries adopting the Joint Authorities for Rulemaking on Unmanned Systems (JARUS) guidelines, particularly the Specific Operations Risk Assessment (SORA) methodology. This broad compliance spectrum underscores AVSS’s commitment to facilitating global drone operations within established safety frameworks.
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Beyond the PRS-M4DT, AVSS has developed the PRS-M4DTEX and FTS-M4DTEX systems to further enhance operational safety:
- PRS-M4DTEX: This system combines the parachute recovery mechanism with a Flight Termination System (FTS), specifically designed to meet EASA’s MOC 2511 and MOC 2512 requirements. The inclusion of an independent FTS ensures that, in scenarios such as a geofence breach, the drone can be safely deactivated, preventing unintended operations. This feature is particularly crucial for obtaining C5 and C6 designations in Europe, which are essential for certain advanced drone operations.
- FTS-M4DTEX: A standalone Flight Termination System aimed at complying with EASA’s MOC 2511 standards. This lightweight system focuses on mitigating air risks by providing a reliable method to terminate a drone’s flight if necessary, thereby enhancing containment measures during operations.
AVSS has announced that these safety systems are slated for delivery to authorized resellers starting in the second quarter of 2025. This timeline allows enterprise drone operators to plan and integrate these safety enhancements into their operational workflows, aligning with the anticipated widespread adoption of the DJI Dock 3 system.
The DJI Dock 3 represents a significant advancement in autonomous drone operations. This drone-in-a-box solution is compact enough to be transported in a pickup truck and, for the first time, allows DJI’s Matrice 4D and Matrice 4TD drones to be launched from moving vehicles using an optional gimbal mount accessory. The Dock 3 is equipped with features such as a built-in weather station, antennas, surveillance cameras, and an internal backup battery. It boasts an improved IP56 rating for dust and water resistance and can operate in temperatures ranging from -30°C to 50°C. The system can communicate with drones on missions up to 10 kilometers away, extendable to 25 kilometers with elevated relays, subject to regulatory approvals.
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