Games maker PIXYUL plans on UAS-sourcing and mapping the entire planet, one square kilometer at a time. The UAS are equipped with digital HD cameras and their data will be processed with 3D software to render into in-game terrain. If that sounds overly ambitious, it is. And that’s why it won’t be happening all at once and will be combined with procedural generation for certain parts of the world, such as the major oceans and restricted areas that will never be accessible to UAS. Continue reading
Author Archives: The Editor
Aurora Wins DARPA VTOL X-Plane Programme Phase 1 Contract
Aurora Flight Sciences has announced the award of a Phase I contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) X-Plane programme. Aurora’s innovative VTOL X-Plane, known as LightningStrike, is designed for efficient hover and high speed, meeting DARPA’s ambitious goals for performance and useful load capacity. Continue reading
US Marines use Puma to Clear Firing Range Area
U.S. Navy Riverine Command Boat sailors conducting a live-fire weapons exercise in the Persian Gulf use the Puma UAS to be sure that the area is clear of other boats before firing. Continue reading
UAS Surveys Flooding in Somerset, UK
As the UK government declares the extensive flooding of the Somerset Levels as a major incident, calling in the assistance of the army and red cross to reach some of the marooned villages, a UAS was deployed to survey the damage. Continue reading
FAA Publishes Six UAS Test Site FAQs and POCs
The Federal Aviation Administration is now working to have the first of the six unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test sites operational within 180 days.These sites will promote critical research into the certification and operational requirements necessary to safely integrate these vehicles into the US national airspace. Continue reading
Northrop Grumman BAMS Surpasses 10,000 Combat Flying Hours
The Northrop Grumman Corporation built unmanned demonstrator aircraft used for maritime surveillance missions by the U.S. Navy surpassed 10,000 combat flying hours supporting intelligence-gathering missions in the Middle East. Continue reading
UAS Precision Agriculture Services Expand in the UK
A conference on agricultural UAS at Harper Adams College n the UK last week was certainly well-attended. But will these high-tech/high-price pieces of equipment prove to be the answer to arable farmers’ crop surveillance needs? Continue reading
UAS Helps Firefighters Fight Dangerous Fire
When a fire broke out a Branford quarry Thursday, Fire Chief Jack Ahern knew it would be a fire with complications, because the quarry housed explosives for a blasting company.“We didn’t know exactly at the time if it was near the explosives, but we always plan for the worst case, and in this case, it ended up being a good thing,” said Chief Ahern. Continue reading