Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Charles Alcock

French drone technology specialist Parrot on Monday revealed its Anafi UKR family of compact UAVs for intelligence, surveillance, and recognition roles at the Paris Air Show. The platform was initially developed for Ukrainian forces and is now being offered for wider defense and public safety missions. It is also highlighting a platform-agnostic autopilot.
The Anafi UKR, which encompasses a spoof-proof multiband frequency hopping radio, as well as real-time optical navigation to operate in GNSS-denied airspace, is priced at $19,000. Priced at $15,000, its Anafi UKR GOV unit for civil applications does not have a radio but uses 5G and Wi-Fi connection instead.&nbsp;
At the airshow, Parrot is demonstrating the 959-gram Anafi UKR micro UAV to convey how they can fly pre-programmed missions individually or in clusters and be ready to deploy in two minutes. The company anticipates interest from law enforcement agencies, first responders, and emergency relief operators.
Also this week in Paris, the company is launching its Chuck 3.0 autopilot, which can be integrated with multiple drone architectures, including quadcopters, VTOLs, airplanes, and helicopters. The compact unit uses artificial intelligence to support autonomous flight and meets sovereignty requirements with no Chinese components.
According to Parrot chief revenue officer Chris Roberts, the Chuck 3.0 module provides other drone developers with an accelerated path to market by avoiding the need to develop their own autopilots. “The combination of sensors, optics, and AI algorithms makes it a lot easier to fly and also to process data gathered,” he told AIN.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Parrot Launches Flock of AI-Based Micro UAVs and an Autopilot

Anafi UKR drone can be deployed in military or public safety missions 

At the Paris Air Show, Parrot is demonstrating its Anafi UKR family of micro UAVs and the AI-based Chuck 3.0 autopilot that can be used by other drone makers.

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Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

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