An answer for the future
Laflamme Aéro specializes in the development and merchandizing of remotely piloted helicopter systems. They have built a solid expertise in the design, manufacturing and operation of mid-range drones (under 600 kg). As a leading Canadian player, they work closely with Transport Canada and several organizations in Quebec dronautics.
Thanks to its innovative solutions, which open up new perspectives for aerial missions, Laflamme Aéro pushes industry standards. They aim to better answer and meet social challenges with innovative autonomous aerial solutions.
A strategic solution to critical delivery issues
Developed in collaboration with NGC Aérospatiale and CS Group Canada, the SALAD initiative (autonomous aerial drone delivery system) aims to be a complete drone transportation solution capable of reaching remote regions that are difficult to access with current transportation solutions. SALAD uses Quebec aerospace technologies to meet new advanced air mobility applications made possible through dronautics.
Freight transportation offers a significant growth opportunity over the coming years for the civil and commercial drone market. Large companies like Amazon, UPS and Alphabet are investing heavily in this sector. Several factors, such as dangerous materials, delays in delivery, difficult to access destinations, shelf life of goods, and difficult weather conditions often make deliveries impossible or very expensive.
Focused on the transportation of critical goods, SALAD has demonstrated that it is not only possible to efficiently carry out strategic deliveries by drone, but that it is now possible to do so with robust and certifiable systems. The strength of the different technologies that are at the heart of the project has been enhanced or adapted in order to be approved by Transport Canada and other international certification bodies.
Reach every market
The SALAD initiative allowed several companies to acquire scientific and technical knowledge on drone transportation systems in addition to increasing their industrial manufacturing capacities. It also helped reduce the risks associated with technological developments, allowing each partner to commercialize their solution or find new niches for their existing technologies.
Through a close collaboration with Transport Canada’s RPAS division, the project also helped clarify certain regulatory issues with regard to respecting the level of risk that comes with this type of development.
The partner companies were able to develop their respective expertise and open markets in a completely new autonomous transportation niche. In its final form, the solution can be used for strategic deliveries here in Quebec, but also internationally.
An entirely Quebec design which will not only create jobs, but also offers significant potential benefits for the Canadian economy and which will be able to answer all kinds of logistical problems throughout the world.