Rotorcraft
U.S. Interior Department Awards Contract for Quadcopters
The cabinet-level department will make the small rotary-wing drones available for use by its constituent agencies.
The 3D Robotics Solo quadcopter is shown at Yosemite National Park in California. (Photo courtesy U.S. Department of the Interior)
The 3D Robotics Solo quadcopter is shown at Yosemite National Park in California. (Photo courtesy U.S. Department of the Interior)

The U.S. Department of the Interior has contracted with drone manufacturer 3D Robotics (3DR), of Berkeley, Calif., to order up to 40 of the company’s Solo quadcopters for aerial survey, fire management and other missions. The department awarded 3DR an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract with a value of up to $256,000 on August 2.