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The Puma AE is a small, hand-launched UAS that
is about 4 1/2 feet long and has a wingspan of 9
feet. Using the information generated by the
Puma’s sensors, BP hopes to target maintenance
activities on specific roads and infrastructure,
which will save time and support safety and
operational reliability goals, while helping to
protect the sensitive North Slope environment.
Last summer, the FAA issued restricted category
type certificates to the Puma and Insitu’s Scan
Eagle, another small UAS. The certificates were
limited to aerial surveillance only over Arctic
waters. The FAA recently modified the data sheet
of the Puma’s restricted category type
certificate to allow operations over land after
AeroVironment showed that the Puma could perform
such flights safely.
“The 2012 Reauthorization law tasks us with
integrating small UAS in the Arctic on a
permanent basis,” said FAA Administrator Michael
Huerta. “This operation will help us accomplish
the goal set for us by Congress.”
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