As the US Marine Corps incorporates unmanned aircraft systems into its operating strategy, planners are already anticipating a future threat from enemies armed with commercially available drones that can harass troops or gather surveillance unnoticed. Continue reading
Author Archives: The Editor
Drone with Insect-Inspired Folding Wings
When designing robots to help in the search for victims after a natural disaster, a number of features are important: robustness, long battery life and ease of transport. With this latest constraint in mind, a team from Floreano Lab, EPFL and NCCR Robotics will present their new drone with insect-inspired folding wings at IROS 2016. Continue reading
Northrop Grumman Gets $49M US Navy Triton Contract
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is being awarded $49,400,000 for fixed-price incentive (firm target) modification P00010 to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive contract (N00019-15-C-0002) for the procurement of long lead components, materials, parts, and associated efforts in support of the MQ-4C Triton LRIP 2 unmanned aircraft. Continue reading
Taliban Captures ScanEagle in Afghanistan
The Taliban militants group in Afghanistan has claimed to capture a surveillance drone in eastern Nangarhar province of Afghanistan.The group’s spokesman Zabiullah Mujahid said the drone was downed in Merano village of Behsud district of Nangarhar province.
Pouncer Disaster-Aid Delivery Drone
Delivering life-saving supplies to victims of natural disasters and war zones often relies on inexact air drops requiring good weather to pull off. The Pouncer, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) from Windhorse Aerospace, would land accurately at disaster sites with a design that allows for the utmost utility of its parts.
Demo Shows Drone Flying Under Wireless Power
London-based electrical engineering researcher Dr. Samer Aldhaher recently posted a video demonstrating what could be the future of drone technology. The small drone you’re about to see has one distinguishing feature – it’s not carrying a battery. Continue reading
Avianca Develops Drone for Aircraft Inspection
Avianca is internally developing an autonomous drone to inspect grounded aircraft for damage caused by lightning and bird strikes, the Latin American carrier says. Continue reading
AeroVironment Gets $23M US Army Switchblade Award
AeroVironment, Inc. has announced that the United States Army Close Combat Weapons Systems Project Office has awarded the company a contract for Block 10C Switchblade Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile Systems (LMAMS) and support services valued at $22,776,812 through a Joint Urgent Operational Needs Statement. Delivery is anticipated within 12 months.