The Commonwealth of Virginia announced it will award more than $2.6 million over three years in t (FACT) funds to Virginia Tech to operate an unmanned aircraft systems test site in the state, officials from the governor’s office said Monday.
Author Archives: The Editor
Santa is Safe but AUVSI is Fooled by Amazon Stunt
Santa Claus can breathe easy. Though Amazon.com wants to fill the air with package-delivering UAS, it’ll be years, if ever, before the jolly ol’ elf has to worry about competing with a sky full of automated bogeys, experts in the field of unmanned aircraft systems say.
Waterstones Trumps Amazon with OWL Book Delivery Service
In response to Amazon’s founder and chief executive Jeff Bezos unveiling plans for Amazon Prime Air, which allows the online retailer to use unmanned aircraft systems to deliver small packages, Waterstones has announced a bird-brained idea of its own. Continue reading
Tyndall Air Force Base Receives Final QF-4
The 82nd Aerial Target Squadron at Tyndall AFB, Fla., received the last QF-4 Phantom in mid-November. The Vietnam-era F-4—aircraft 68-0599—was regenerated from storage and turned in to a remotely piloted aircraft that will be used as an unmanned-full-scale-aerial target during training exercises, according to a Nov. 22 release. Continue reading
US Navy Buys One Insitu RQ-21A Blackjack UAS in Preparation for Ramping-up Production
The US Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River is buying one new tactical unmanned aircraft system (UAS), intended as an organic and dedicated multi-intelligence UAS for U.S. Marine Corps and Navy tactical commanders, in preparation for ramping-up production of the front-line tactical unmanned aircraft. Continue reading
Precision Farming Forum in Oregon to Examine UAS Technology in Agriculture
Jeff Lorton believes UAS technology is the next big thing in agriculture, and he’s determined to make sure it lands in Yamhill County, the center of Oregon’s world-class wine industry. Continue reading
Olaeris Moves to North Carolina to Produce AEVA UAS for Emergency Response Operations
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) company Olaeris has selected North Carolina as its top choice for a U.S. headquarters facility. They are currently engaging Piedmont economic development leaders to identify the most promising location for what they believe can become a leading R&D hub to the global UAS industry. Continue reading
Jeff Bezos Promises Half-hour Shipping by UAS with Amazon Prime Air
Jeff Bezos is nothing if not a showman. Amazon’s CEO loves a good reveal, and took the opportunity afforded by a 60 Minutes segment to show off his company’s latest creation: drones that can deliver packages up to five pounds, to your house in less than half an hour. They’re technically octocopters, as part of a programme called “Amazon Prime Air.” Continue reading