Author Archives: The Editor

FAA Selects New Unmanned Aircraft Executives

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected Marke “Hoot” Gibson and Earl Lawrence for two executive-level positions that will guide the agency’s approach to safe, timely and efficient integration of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into U.S. airspace.

Hoot Gibson will become the Senior Advisor on UAS Integration, a position established to focus on external outreach and education, inter-agency initiatives and an enterprise-level approach to FAA management of UAS integration efforts. He will report directly to the FAA Deputy Administrator. Continue reading →

National Park Tests UAS to Track Fire Hotspots

While more than 625,000 acres of wildfires burned throughout the Pacific Northwest, crew members of the Insitu Rapid Response team launched a ScanEagle unmanned aircraft into the hazy skies above the Paradise Fire in Washington’s Olympic National Park. The event marked the beginning of an operational demonstration designed to show how unmanned aircraft technology can be a powerful force multiplier in the fight against wildfires. Continue reading →

Drone Dome Protects Against Intrusions

A European startup is now marketing a consumer anti-drone system that’s designed to detect and report unmanned aircraft flying in a specified range of airspace. The company, Dedrone, is marketing the system to prisons, corporations, event planners — or anyone else concerned about unauthorised drones spying, smuggling or otherwise causing security concerns.

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Marine Sniper In Helicopter Downs UAS at Black Dart

Most of what was learned at this year’s Black Dart counter-drone exercise will remain classified, but it proved that one of the oldest and deadliest weapons in the U.S. arsenal works against the 21^st Century threat of drones, too. Continue reading →

Finnish Post Office Tests UAS in e-commerce Deliveries

Starting from September 2, the Finnish post office, Posti will carry out a four-day experiment to test the technology of the future in e-commerce logistics and mail delivery. Continue reading →

DARPA Plans Aircraft-Launched, Reusable Drones

Drones that can be launched from military transport and fighter aircraft are the subject of a new project of the US Defence Advanced Projects Agency (DARPA). Continue reading →

WB Electronics and Thales Unveil UAS for Polish Gryf Programme

WB Electronics and Thales unveiled at Poland’s MSPO exhibition, their exclusive tactical unmanned aircraft system for the Polish Gryf requirement. The WB Electronics/Thales solution offers a capability that fully meets the Gryf requirements for an armed unmanned aircraft system, and delivers the capability through full Polish industrial collaboration. Continue reading →

US Navy’s Last Flying Aircraft Carrier

Off the California coast lies the sunken wreckage of the U.S. Navy’s last flying aircraft carrier. The idea that the Navy had flying aircraft carriers is probably new to a lot of people. Imagine a nearly 800-foot “blimp” where five military airplanes can land and take off in midair.

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