ArgenTech Solutions (AgTS) of Newmarket, New Hampshire is supporting the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) research and development flight testing at the Pendleton Range in eastern Oregon. AgTS spent the last year working closely with the University of Alaska, Fairbanks and the Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range Complex to obtain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) flight approvals and build the Concept of Operations for the newly developed ArcticShark, manufactured by Navmar Applied Sciences.
The ArcticShark, a 640 lb aircraft, capable of reaching 20,000ft MSL, will be used as a tool to collect atmospheric data and advance the scientific research for the Department of Energy and the PNNL. This new tool will advance its aviation department and the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement Program to study cloud formation processes and their influence on radiative transfer.
Flight operations, testing and training will be conducted at the Pendleton Range throughout March from the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport under visual meteorological conditions, during daylight hours. Flights will be conducted above unpopulated areas, in accordance with FAA regulations and a strict adherence to safety risk management.
AgTS is a leader in advancing the unmanned aircraft industry and integration into the National Airspace System. AgTS established the processes, procedures and programs that brought the Pendleton UAS Range to Initial Operating Capability (IOC) during an evolving drone regulatory environment. In 2016, AgTS also provided contracted services and support for five different customers performing operations at the Pendleton Range. “We are pleased to support PNNL with the Class D operations, assisting in its test objectives, as well as those of the Pan-Pacific UAS Test Range Complex and the FAA,” stated Jen Armstrong, VP AgTS Commercial Services.
Edited by Michael Jones
