The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) on Wednesday received a hybrid drone from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to be used in conducting surveillance missions. In a statement, the PCG said the drone – prototyped by Dodeca’s research and development team – is the ‘first hybrid vertical take-off and landing drone built by Filipinos to be owned and operated by the Philippine government.’ The equipment will be used to enhance the country’s monitoring capabilities for its coasts and shorelines, the statement read. PCG Commandant, Admiral Artemio Abu, thanked the UNODC for the donation during the handover ceremony. ‘We look forward to continuing this partnership as we work together to navigate the future of maritime law enforcement,’ Abu said. Dodeca is a local company with remotely operated aircraft system operators certified by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) that offer drone services, solutions, and training. Earlier, four Coast Guard Aviation Force (CGAF) finished the 15-day unmanned aerial system (UAS) training conducted by the Joint United States Military Assistance Group – Philippines. They underwent a comprehensive theoretical phase and received actual flight experience through testing the capabilities, limitations, and operability of a UAS. The CGAF also received five UAS through the US government’s grant assistance.

Source: Philippines News Agency