Planck Aerosystems Secures DHS Funding for Drone Tests

San Diego-based drone system provider Planck Aerosystems has secured $200K worth of funds from the Department of Homeland Security's science and technology directorate through the Silicon Valley Innovation Program to demonstrate the operational capacity of a small unmanned aerial vehicle.

The company intends to deliver a portable detection platform that will equip the U.S. Customs and Border Protection with situational awareness capacities, the DHS said Thursday.

In addition, Planck has developed a function that will allow drones to take off and land on a moving vehicle.

“S&T is looking for technologies to enhance the efficacy of CBP patrols while simultaneously increasing the safety of patrolling agents,” said Melissa Oh, managing director of SVIP at the DHS.

“We look forward to the ways Planck will further refine its technology in support of this homeland security mission.”

SVIP participants are qualified to receive up to $800K in grants to develop commercial homeland security technologies.