AeroVironment has been awarded a cost plus fixed-fee contract and options by the US Army for Switchblade tactical missile system support services. Awarded by the US Army Close-Combat Weapons Systems office, the $4.3m agreement increases the value of an existing contract to $63.8m.
Author Archives: The Editor
X-47B to Begin Automated Aerial Refuelling Demonstrations Next Year
The US Navy’s carrier-based unmanned aircraft demonstrator is undergoing preparations for automated aerial refuelling testing next year, including a possible flight demonstration using the aircraft itself, said officials from the service and X-47B manufacturer Northrop Grumman.
Fire Scout Deployments Intensify
An entirely new level of activity is taking place right now with the US Navy’s Fire Scout unmanned helicopter programme — for the first time, Fire Scout will be at sea on at least four ships at the same time — and they’ll be different kinds of ships, and both aircraft variants will be active. Continue reading
Hot Air Balloon Pilots Worry About Drones
The raging debate over drones aims to keep the machines safely away from airplanes and tall buildings, but now there’s a new concern: hot air balloons. Hot air balloon are, but their very nature, volatile and vulnerable, especially to an inexperienced drone pilot.
Mistletoe QuadCopter Draws Blood
TGI Friday’s much-hyped “Mobile Mistletoe” drones drew first blood in their New York City debut on Dec. 4 at the chain’s beloved Sheepshead Bay location when one of them hit our intrepid photographer right in the face. Continue reading
South African CAA publishes RPAS Legislation for Public Comment
After many work group meetings SA CAA has finally reached agreement with CUAASA and Industry on the details of the “Phase 1 RPAS Regulations”. Continue reading
Airbus Markets UAV-Based Surveillance Package for Disaster Relief
Airbus Defence & Space is planning to offer a high-altitude unmanned air vehicle-based surveillance capability for disaster relief, using a variety of systems that it is in the process of finalising. Continue reading
Aerosonde Gets FAA Certificate of Authorization for National Airspace
Textron Systems Unmanned Systems has announced a Certificate of Authorisation to start Aerosonde Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) operations with the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership (MAAP), one of six authorised test sites established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as part of its larger program to integrate unmanned aircraft into the national airspace system (NAS).