The Israel Air Force has begun using unmanned aircraft to conduct surveillance and reconnaissance missions over Israeli gas fields in the Mediterranean out of fear that they will be targeted by Hezbollah.
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Author Archives: The Editor
AeroVironment Files Patent Application for Hydrogen Powerplant and Related Control System
AeroVironment Inc filed a patent application for “A hydrogen fueled power-plant including an internal combustion engine that drives a motor-generator, and has a two-stage turbocharger, for an aircraft.”
US Navy Fire Scouts Exceed Expectations in Libya
A detachment of MQ-8B Fire Scouts completed a second deployment for the system August 3, returning to Naval Station Mayport, Fla., after seven months on the frigate Halyburton, where the unmanned helicopters tracked pirates and provided surveillance over Libya.
Ex-RAF Pilot Flies UAS Missions for Wildlife and Landscape Protection
A former RAF pilot based in Northumberland is now using unmanned aircraft technology to safeguard, enhance and protect landscapes and wildlife in North East England.
Fire Scout Was Downed by Gadhafi’s Forces
A US Navy unmanned aircraft that disappeared along the coast in central Libya in June was probably shot down by Colonel Gadhafi’s forces, a U.S. military investigation has concluded.
New Apache Controls Unmanned Aircraft
The first production prototype of the modernized Apache landed at the US Army’s Redstone Arsenal Test Center and was put it through its paces to the delight of a media and contractor audience. The Apache Block III will feature Future Modular Force connectivity through seamless global information grid communications, Level IV Unmanned Aircraft System control, which means the Apache pilot will have control of the flight path and weapons systems on a UAV.
US Congress Passes Short-Term FAA Extension – Ending Partial Shutdown
On 5 August, Congress passed a short-term FAA extension ending a two week partial shutdown of the FAA. The 14-day shutdown cost the federal government nearly $400 million in lost revenue because the FAA was not allowed to collect taxes on air tickets.
Airships Are Back in Fashion
In recent years, airships have once again become a major force in aviation. The Pentagon has gone especially blimp-crazy, pouring hundreds of millions of dollars into advanced — and massive — surveillance airships that can stay in the sky way longer than any unmanned aircraft. Here is a review of some of the new generation by Wired’s Danger Room: