Jonesboro, AR – (JonesboroRightNow.com) – July 1, 2024 – It’s the middle of nowhere. I’m in a farm field with 3 retired physicists, an agricultural entrepreneur and his small team of assistants. Next to us is a large 115 pound grey and black, insect-like machine with its wings folded against its body. The physicists, formerly of the Department of Homeland Security, EPA and CIA now run Spectral Systems Integration (SSI) and have navigated the backroads of Valley View to meet with Jonathan Cottingham, owner of Southern Drone Ops.
Jonathan is a 3rd generation Aerial Applicator from Jonesboro who has partnered with SSI to develop a project that could have worldwide ramifications. SDO is responsible for the AutoCaD and bracket design that coordinate with the sensors that SSI engineered to monitor up to 80 different airborne particulates. Science and agriculture are about to take flight!
The occupation of crop dusting has evolved and Jonathan Cottingham, CEO of Southern Drone Ops, is staying ahead of the curve. His implementation of drones is part of a growing interest in precision agricultural. Imagine being able to spray water, herbicides, fungicides, fertilizers, insecticides or even seeds over your vast 40+ acre plot in an hour. The DJI Agras T50 drone makes that possible. Cottingham has made a living utilizing and teaching drone technology to create tailored solutions to farmers who want to make better informed decisions and optimize crop yields. His SDO website, Tik Tok and YouTube platforms showcase their team and the innovative methods their using that are revolutionizing farming practices. He himself has developed a curriculum that he’s used for training at various universities and high schools across multiple states.
Jonathan also mentioned the many useful applications of drones that reach beyond crops, including de-icing roads in winter and more importantly the fight against mosquitos in the summer! I think most of us can agree that it’s time to find a solution to deterring and mitigating mosquito reproduction in our neighborhoods. Jonathan and company have been spending much time developing plans to help this issue by using drone technology. But the versatility goes further.
The T50 and its modifications can not only deliver a controlled spray of varying widths, but also provide video analysis for surveying a target area. Using mapping overlays, the SSI technology relays advanced analytics back to a handheld monitoring interface through specialized sensors. These sensors can detect contamination of toxins and hazardous chemicals in the air we breathe. The physicists at Spectral System Integration are using this tech to identify harmful airborne particles for very important reasons. The data gathered from potential disasters like factory fires, train derailments, natural disasters and even warfare can save lives with early detection warnings and evacuations. Being able to deploy a drone with a payload within minutes and/or relay information in real time to a base of operations can help the effectiveness and efficiency of operations considerably, wether that be an agricultural or an emergency response situation.
Southern Drone Ops has been utilizing spray drone technology for agriculture, business or community needs for years, but his contract with Spectral Systems Integration and the Department of Defense is taking Cottingham’s business to a whole other level. However, you can still apply for one of their programs or career opportunities offering training in drone piloting, spraying, software and maintenance. So, take to the skies and let technology be your wingman.
