General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) has announced the successful operational testing of a Detect and Avoid (DAA) system including GA-ASI’s Due Regard Radar (DRR) aboard a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Guardian Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), a maritime variant of GA-ASI’s Predator B RPA. The DAA system also includes Honeywell’s Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and Sensor Tracker, specifically designed for DAA.
Category Archives: Applications & Testing & Experience
Airbus Unveils Thor – Fully 3D Printed Test UAV
When it comes to nurturing and promoting advancements in 3D printing technology, very few companies have taken the initiative that the European airline manufacturer Airbus has. The aerospace manufacturer started fully immersing itself into the world of additive manufacturing back around 2014, when they equipped their A350 airliner with a titanium 3D printed cabin bracket, and also utilized the first 3D printed spare part on an aircraft being used by Air Transnat. Continue reading Sikorsky Completes DARPA ALIAS Phase 1 Autonomous Flight
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, has successfully demonstrated a 30-mile autonomous flight using a Sikorsky S-76 commercial helicopter to complete Phase 1 of an $8 million award from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)’s Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) Continue reading
US Office of Naval Research Tests Drone Swarms
The Department of the Navy’s Office of Naval Research this week released this video showing a 30 aircraft flight of UAVs directed in tandem by the Navy and researchers from the Georgia Tech Research Institute of the Georgia Institute of Technology. Continue reading
Flight Tests of Scale Model of Russian Tilt-Rotor UAS
A scale model of the Frigate, Russia’s up and coming multi-purpose tilt-rotor drone, is undergoing preliminary testing. Frigate is designed as a multi-purpose unmanned aerial vehicle capable of performing both surveillance and search-and-rescue missions, as well as cargo transportation duties. Continue reading
Simultaneous Flights of Civil UAS & Manned Aircraft at Spanish Airport
The European ARIADNA consortium led by Indra and integrated by CRIDA, ENAIRE and Fada-Catec has completed the first simultaneous flight tests in a conventional airport of a drone or remotely piloted aircraft (RPAS/UAS) in the presence of a manned aircraft.
Neuron Programme Extended to Maritime Testing
France’s DGA defence procurement agency has begun new testing of the Neuron unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator in a maritime environment. The testing will be extended to include involvement of the French navy’s aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle. Continue reading
US Army to Extend Ground Based Sense And Avoid
A radar-based system tested at Dugway will soon allow military operators of unmanned aerial vehicles to fly within the National Airspace System to help maintain their skills.