Launch an unmanned SBXC sailplane into the air with a catapult and it glides lazily down again in about three minutes. But when the sailplane is equipped with software to find plumes of warm air rising from the ground, known as thermals, it can ride them upward and extend its flight to a record-breaking five hours. Continue reading
Author Archives: The Editor
Prototype Miniaturized Radar for sUAS
While manned aircraft have used onboard radar for decades, the size and cost of the equipment has limited its use primarily to large, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Continue reading
FOX 11 Introduces SKYFOX for News Gathering
FOX 11 is taking news to new heights, with its new addition, SKYFOX. FOX 11 is one of six Sinclair Broadcast Group news stations with this technology. By the end of 2017, that number is expected to grow to 40. Continue reading
Aurora Demonstrates DARPA Aircraft Autonomy Program
Aurora Flight Sciences is breaking ground in the world of automated flight through its work on the Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program. On October 17 Aurora demonstrated automated flight capabilities with ALIAS flying a Cessna Caravan through basic maneouvres under the supervision of a pilot. Aurora’s ALIAS technology has now been successfully demonstrated on three separate aircraft, from three original equipment manufacturers, in less than twelve months.
NASA Tests Air Traffic Control System for Manned/Unmanned Flights in Reno
A team from NASA will conduct a weeklong test of an air traffic control system it is developing for both drones and manned aircraft starting Tuesday at Reno-Stead Airport, an exercise that will include flying drones beyond the limits of operators’ eyesight.
Industry Presents UAV Upgrades to UK Royal Navy
As the Royal Navy moves towards retiring its only unmanned air vehicle from service in 2017, industry has presented a number of upgrades to UK-operated systems to try and tempt the service into continuing operations with such technology. Continue reading
DARPA ARES VTOL First Flight for Fall 2017
A bevy of new vertical take off and landing (VTOL) aircraft conceived to take the military beyond the speed, range and altitude limits of helicopters are scheduled to fly over the next two years. None looks more like science fiction becoming science fact than a sort of flying candy crane formerly known as “Transformer.”
US Marine Corps Seeks VTOL Unmanned Aircraft for ISR
The US Marine Corps (USMC) has issued a request for information (RfI) for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS). Continue reading