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
Author Archives: The Editor
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
AAI Introduces Swappable Multi-Mission Payload Pods for Shadow
AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems, along with Phoenix Global Support, has announced the introduction of new multi-mission payloads for its Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems. Continue reading
ITT Awarded US Army Contract to Deliver Full Motion Video and Wide Area Airborne Surveillance Capabilities
The United States government has awarded ITT Corporation a contract to provide software and hardware solutions tied to the collection, processing and dissemination of full motion video (FMV) and wide area airborne surveillance (WAAS) from unmanned aircraft. Continue reading
Raytheon Speed-of-Light Protection System Can Shield Unmanned Aircraft Systems
Raytheon Company‘s Common Infrared Counter Measures solution for US Army helicopters is also ideal for protecting unmanned aircraft systems. Continue reading
Battlespace Flight Services Gets $104M MQ-1 Predator Maintenance Contract
Battlespace Flight Services, LLC of Arlington, Va., is being awarded a $104,179,468 firm fixed price/cost plus award fee contract modification to fund extension of contract for organizational maintenance support for the predator MQ-1 aircraft and related systems at Creech Air Force base, Nev., Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo., and deployed sites worldwide. Continue reading
MQ-9 Reaper Crashed on Landing at Holloman Air Force Base
Officials with the 49th Wing announced a remotely piloted MQ-9 Reaper crashed on final approach at Holloman Air Force Base at approximately 6:45 p.m. October 7th. Continue reading