Author Archives: The Editor

AeroVironment Demonstrates Switchblade Integration for Air Launched Effects from JUMP 20 UAS

Jump 20

AeroVironment, Inc. has announced the successful demonstration of integrating Switchblade 300 loitering missiles and JUMP 20 medium unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for increased mission autonomy and efficacy. This Air Launched Effects (ALE) proof-of-concept demonstration took place in August 2021 with the goal of launching an inert Switchblade 300 from the JUMP 20 and successfully recovering both air vehicles. Continue reading

Axon and Fotokite Combine Tethered Drones with Livestreaming and Evidence Management

Axon, a supplier of connected public safety technologies, in partnership with Fotokite, a service provider of actively tethered Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) solutions, commonly referred to as drones, and public safety software tools, have announced the autonomous Fotokite Sigma UAS complete with wireless livestreaming and evidence management is now commercially available to public safety customers in the US and Canada. Continue reading

India’s Secret Ghatak Programme

Ghatak [Hindi-language = Lethal or Dangerous] is a fully funded and sanctioned national defence project for an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). Autonomous Unmanned Research Aircraft (AURA) was a tentative name for an Indian UCAV project, but was eventually called the Ghatak UCAV. In 2007 the public learned about the AURA program for an autonomous unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV), being developed by the DRDO for the Indian Air Force. Continue reading

Embry-Riddle and AIRT Partner to Study Public Safety and Emergency Services Use of Drones

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a premier aviation and aerospace institution has announced a partnership with the Airborne International Response Team (AIRT), the 501(c)3 non-profit organization supporting the use of unmanned systems for public safety and disaster response to collaborate on education and research exploring how first responders are deploying small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) within the National Airspace System (NAS). Continue reading

Kratos Gets $17.6M US Air Force Award to Develop Jet UAS for Manned-Unmanned Teaming

XQ-58A Valkyrie, F-35 Lightning II, and F-22 Raptor fly in formation

Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. has announced that Kratos Unmanned Systems Division has been awarded a $17,677,612, 12-month cost plus fixed-fee contract to design and develop an Off Board Sensing Station (OBSS) Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) in support of Air Force Research Laboratory’s Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) technology maturation portfolio. Continue reading