FCC Seeks Comment on Waiver Request for Drone Hazard Detection System

The FCC Office of Engineering and Technology sought comment on a waiver request by Leica Geosystems to allow its Ictos radar system on commercial drones. The system uses multiple radar modules in the 60-64 GHz for hazard detection in flight. Leica says the technology would permit an unmanned aerial vehicle to “acquire close-up views of structural exteriors that would otherwise be difficult to safely obtain,” OET said Thursday: “Leica states that the collision between a UAV and a structure that it is scanning risks damage to the UAV and to the structure, as well as injury to persons on the ground.” Comments in docket 19-350 are due 30 days after publication, replies 15 days later.