New Mexico has long been a supporter of new technology. In January of this year, lawmakers allowed a drone to fly inside of the state capital in order to promote funding for a statewide robotics program; some lawmakers actually donned FPV goggles to experience drone tech first hand. Innovation New Mexico was introduced this year as a way of supporting cutting edge technologies in the state. All nominees must have created – an commercialized – a new technology in the last 24 months.
Solar drone technology isn’t exactly new; both Facebook and Google have been experimenting with solar drone technology on their projects to delivery Internet to the world, and NASA’s Pathfinder and Pathfinder Plus are both solar drones. But while most look like giant birds from a sci-fi movie, the Silent Falcon is the first to offer a relatively compact size reasonable for a variety of commercial purposes. The patent pending drone offers the long flight time, range, and silence provided by solar electric technology; characteristics in heavy demand for a variety of commercial and military applications. Composed of lightweight carbon fiber, the drone is both durable and light, weighing under 100 pounds – Silent Falcon differentiates its product further by pointing out that the drone is easy to use and can be transported in the back of a standard pickup truck.
Silent Falcon’s CEO John Brown tells DRONELIFE that building on existing technology is a key to successful development: “As the UAS industry emerges from its infancy…, we believe the key to surviving and prospering is to adopt the best practices of successful technologies – constant innovation, maintaining a flexible and open technology infrastructure, and being alert to and keeping an open mind on new technology developments. That is what Silent Falcon is all about… it is what you will find throughout our systems.”
Silent Falcon is one of the first drone companies in New Mexico, starting commercial production of their product in Q3 of 2015. The company has introduced the drone globally for military and commercial uses including resource management, security, public safety, and mapping/surveying applications.
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.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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