Author Archives: The Editor

Lockheed Updates Unmanned U-2 Concept

Lockheed Martin has crafted a reduced-cost plan to “optionally man” its U-2, throwing a new possibility into the mix as Congress weighs whether to shift to an all-Northrop Grumman Global Hawk unmanned aircraft fleet for high-altitude reconnaissance. With an optionally manned U-2, advocates for the so-called Dragon Lady say the venerable aircraft finally can match the endurance offered by the RQ-4B Global Hawk. Convincing lawmakers and the Pentagon likely will be an uphill battle, though. Continue reading →

China’s Holographic Ground Control System

AVIC, China’s top aerospace manufacturer, is finding unexpected but sci-fi inspired ways to push the drone technological envelope. The Holographic Ground Control System (GCS) displays a holographic image of the drone, making it easier for the controller to intuitively understand UAV operations, by fusing together flight parameters, payload monitoring, weapons release and sensor data. The pilot is seated at the cockpit, while other personnel can observe the UAV and its environment on the hologram. Continue reading →

UH-Hilo Researchers Map Lava Flow with UAS

Predicting where the June 27 lava flow in Hawaii will go next is a fluid undertaking. In addition to the original topography of the landscape impacted by lava flows, workers with Hawaii County Civil Defense must take into account the changes made to the topography by the hardened lava left on the surface and how that will affect future flows. Continue reading →

New Zealand Consults on New UAS Regulations

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in New Zealand is asking the public as well as industry professionals to have their say on the proposed new rules for ‘unmanned aircraft operations’. Most drones currently fall under regulations designed for model aircraft, but are capable of flying much faster, further and higher than traditional model planes. Continue reading →

3D Measurement & Imaging Conference in December

Peter van Blyenburgh, President, Unmanned Vehicle Systems (UVS) International, Valentijn de Leeuw, Vice President, ARC Advisory Group, and Shabtay Negry, COO, Mantis Vision will deliver keynote addresses at the upcoming SPAR Europe 3D Measurement & Imaging Conference and European LiDAR Mapping Forum, taking place 8-10 December, 2014 at the Passenger Terminal Amsterdam (PTA) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Continue reading →

Kazakhstan Plans Local UAS Assembly in 2016

UAS will be assembled in Kazakhstan’s Astana starting 2016, according to the press-service of Kazakhstan Engineering national company. Continue reading →

Parrot BeBop Tested

With the release of the Parrot’s Bebop coming December 1st, IEEE Spectrum took the opportunity to take one for a test flight at an event in New York City. As previously reported, the Bebop has a number of advanced features, but by far the most fun is the support for first person video flying.

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Behind the Scenes the Drone orchestra at The Barbican

The Creators Project, a collaboration between Intel and Vice magazine, has produced a 10-minute mini-documentary that lets viewers glimpse the rationale, logistics and artistic vision behind the recent drone orchestra project at London’s Barbican theatre. Continue reading →