The Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute is asking local and federal agencies for permission to use small research unmanned aircraft to map and monitor seagrass beds. Continue reading
Author Archives: The Editor
AAI and Aurora Flight Sciences Integrate UGCS with Orion UAS and Centaur Optionally Piloted Aircraft
AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Aurora Flight Sciences have announced that the organizations have formed a strategic alliance to integrate AAI’s Universal Ground Control Station and other ground control technologies with Aurora’s Orion UAS and Centaur Optionally Piloted Aircraft . Continue reading
ASC Signal Gets $4M Antenna Contract from L-3 Communications for BAMS
ASC Signal Corporation has been awarded a $3.8 million sub-contract by L-3 Communications Systems-West to build a dual-band antenna system to support global data collection and dissemination worldwide for the U.S. Navy MQ-4C Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aircraft System (BAMS UAS) programme. Continue reading
Unmanned Aircraft Landing Mat from Faun Trackway
Faun Trackway USA has announced the development of a new Aircraft Landing Mat (ALM) technology specifically designed for unmanned aircraft use. Continue reading
Unmanned Aircraft Monitor Rangeland in Western United States
A new method of monitoring for changes in rangeland conditions is being developed by USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists that will allow better management of those areas. Continue reading
X-47B First Flight with Landing Gear Up
The US Navy/Northrop Grumman Corporation X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration aircraft reached a major milestone on September 30 when it retracted its landing gear and flew in its cruise configuration for the first time. Continue reading
Laser Power Beam Powers Quadrocopter UAS for 12+ Hours
- The LaserMotive system transmits laser light from a ground station to a photovoltaic receiver on a UAV. Reflected light from the UAV is then captured and used to monitor its position and dynamically control the laser to deliver the power to the correct position
Recently, at the Future of Flight Aviation Center (Mukilteo, WA, USA), LaserMotive (Seattle, WA, USA) demonstrated how a laser-powered beaming system could be used to power a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) quadrocopter for more than 12 hours.
UK Army Likes Lo-Tech in Afghanistan
T-Hawk
The UK Army in Afghanistan operates a fleet of leased Hermes 450 aircraft, but the battery from 32 Regiment Royal Artillery, is also responsible for two other UAS that deliver full-motion video (FMV) from forward locations. Continue reading