Steve Sliwa, chief executive of Insitu Inc., a subsidiary of The Boeing Co., will retire April 1 after 10 years with the company. A replacement is currently being sought.
Monthly Archives: February 2011
EC Views UAS Petition Favourably
Yesterday, in reply to its petition, UVS International received a letter from Mr Siim Kallas, Vice-President of the European Commission, and Responsible for Transport, in which Mr Kallas indicated that he fully shared the views of UVS International. In addition, in reference to the European Commission’s High Level Group, which is being constituted “to develop a single European Roadmap dealing with the structural, institutional and regulatory measures that need to be tackled”, Mr Kallas indicated “Without wanting to pre-empt any decisions that will be taken in this regard, I am confident that the close involvement of UVS International to this work will be ensured”.
AeroVironment Gets $7.8M for Raven Upgrades
AeroVironment, Inc. has announced that it received a firm fixed-price order valued at $7,800,003 under an existing contract with the U.S. Army on January 25, 2011. The order comprises 919 digital module upgrade kits for the U.S. Marine Corps. The upgrade kits allow digital Raven unmanned aircraft systems to operate using a different frequency band than provided by the regular configuration.
AAI’s Shadow Wins Defence Logistics Award
AAI Corporation has announced that the Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System programme received the Best PBL (Performance Based Logistics) Implementation award at the 7th Annual Defense Logistics Awards ceremony. This award was established to “honour, recognize and promote the logisticians in the U.S. Department of Defense and the Defense Industry that have made a significant contribution to military logistics.”
Nanotechnology to Store Hydrogen in a Solid State
Scientists at The University of Glasgow and EADS Innovation Works (EADS IW) are working on using nanotechnology to improve the efficiency of the Hydrisafe tank developed by Hydrogen Horizons Ltd, a small start-up company, to store hydrogen in a solid state. By modifying the composition and microstructure of the tank and hydrogen storage materials through nanotechnology, they hope to make it possible to store and distribute the hydrogen so efficiently that it becomes viable for powering fuel cells on aeroplanes.
L-3 Communications Provides Predator Simulators to University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota has concluded an agreement with L-3 Communications to provide Predator Mission Aircrew Training System units for its training facility at Grand Forks Air Force Base. The total cost of the training facility is about $2 million, of which $1.6 million will go into furnishings and equipment, including the simulators. Most of the funding came from the state Department of Commerce
Magna Parva to Focus on UAS – New Head of Defence Business
UK extreme engineering specialist Magna Parva, known for its Payload Release Devices for UAS, has appointed Chris Day to head up its defence business. The appointment will boost the company’s expertise in unmanned aircraft systems, a field of increasing focus for Magna Parva. His previous position was VP ISTAR & UAV Systems at global aerospace company Thales, where he was also director of the £150 million Thales / Elbit JV company UtaCs.
US Army UAS Expert Wins Department of Defense Civilian Service Award
Tim Owings, Deputy Project Manager for the US Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) has received the DOD Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the highest award given to a Department of Defense civilian.