An MQ-1 B Predator propeller-system malfunction, and the ground aircrews’ misinterpretation of instrument readings, led to the crash of the aircraft approximately 11 nautical miles west of Creech Air Force Base, Nev., May 13, 2013, according to an Air Combat Command Abbreviated Accident Investigation Board report released today. Continue reading
Yearly Archives: 2013
University of New Hampshire Researchers Develop UAS for Orchard Management
A University of New Hampshire plant pathologist and his doctoral student are using a remote-controlled helicopter to help apple farmers in the Northeast battle the persistent scourge of apple scab.
Kirk Broders, assistant professor of plant pathology, and Ph.D. student Matt Wallhead are working to bring precision agriculture to orchard management in the Northeast by developing a low-cost unmanned aircraft system. With a camera loaded with GPS and infrared technology, the UAS can “see” pests, nutrient stress, or early infections caused by the apple scab fungus. Continue reading
More Unmanned Aircraft Pilots Being Promoted
The disparity in the promotion rate between pilots of manned and unmanned aircraft has narrowed considerably. Some recent promotion boards have selected more unmanned aircraft pilots to advance than mobility pilots, according to figures provided by the Air Force Personnel Center. Continue reading
Miniature Radar Technology from Norway Has Applications for Unmanned Systems
Mine clearing, monitoring of vital signs and robot vision are among the many potential applications for Novelda’s innovative radar technology. The company’s tiny, unique processor chips are at the core of it all. Novelda’s hard-earned success began with a project on fundamental radar technology using principles developed at the University of Oslo. With the knowledge acquired, the Norwegian company has developed chips that are extremely fast, highly precise, run on very low power, and can be placed directly onto objects rather than metres away – qualities that are making Novelda stand out on the global market. Continue reading
Iran’s Life-Saving UAS Faster than Life Guard
An Iranian research lab has created a UAS to save people drowning at sea. Developed by Tehran-based RTS Lab, Pars is a multi-rotor UAS designed to carry and drop floatation aids to people in trouble. Continue reading
French National Railway Company (SNCF) Tests Infrastructure Inspection by UAS
Last week, the SNCF (French National Railway Company) completed its first experiment of viaduct inspection by an UAS. During this experiment, the trains were still running at 300 km/h. Continue reading
Transformer Unmanned System Flies, Dives and Rolls
Conceived by the Intelligent Systems, Robotics and Cybernetics unit at Sandia National Laboratories, the “Multi-Modal Vehicle Concept” would travel land, sea, and air by transforming itself to accommodate different terrains. Continue reading
Reaper Crashes into Lake Ontario
According to the Air National Guard, an MQ-9 Reaper crashed into Lake Ontario early Tuesday afternoon. No one was injured during the incident. Continue reading