Researchers at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, Edwards, California, successfully conducted the agency’s first flight of the X-56A Multi-Utility Technology Testbed (MUTT) on April 9. The 20-minute flight marked the beginning of a research effort designed to yield significant advances in aeroservoelastic technology using a low-cost, modular, remotely piloted aerial vehicle.
Category Archives: Applications & Testing & Experience
Swiss Postal Service to Start Testing Drone Deliveries
Swiss Post, the neutral nation’s postal service, has confirmed it is testing delivery-by-drone. Staff at the outfit have confirmed a report in local media detailing collaboration with Matternet and Swiss WorldCargo, the freight division of Swiss International Air Lines.
X-47B Demonstrates Autonomous Aerial Refuelling
A new milestone in the history of unmanned aircraft was made last week, as ‘Salty Dog 502′ the first drone designed to operate from US Navy carriers linked to a drogue of an Omega tanker off the coast of Maryland.
US Navy Wants Humvee-Mounted Anti-UAS Lasers
The US Office of Naval Research is developing the Ground-Based Air Defense On-the-Move concept, or GBAD, which envisions a 30kW solid-state laser mounted to the roof of a Humvee, capable of felling UAS both small and large. Continue reading
UAV to Climb to 90,000 ft Without an Engine
Applying aerospace technology and atmospheric research to fly a glider higher than any other manned aircraft has ever flown. In 2015/16 Perlan Mission II intends to set new altitude records by flying a purpose-built pressurised high-altitude glider (the Perlan 2) higher than any other manned wing borne aircraft has ever flown in sustained flight using stratospheric mountain waves and the polar vortex and in so doing harvest invaluable data about earth’s atmosphere and its ozone layer.
Successful Test Flight of Quarkson SkyOrbiter
Portugal-based startup Quarkson has just announced a successful test flight of its SkyOrbiter LA25 platform. Continue reading
Aerial Refuelling Test of X-47B Imminent
A test to prove an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) can be refuelled in flight could happen by the end of this month, according to officials with Naval Air Systems Command.
First Solar-Electric UAV Enters Production
A new solar-electric aircraft has entered commercial production and is getting ready for its first delivery. Named the Silent Falcon, the UAS is produced by Albuquerque, New Mexico-based Silent Falcon UAS Technologies (SFUAS), a former subsidiary of Bye Aerospace, which specializes in alternative energies for aviation application that is also involved with Aero Electric Aircraft Corp., the developer of the Sun Flyer. For the Silent Falcon, SFUAS is also working in close collaboration with Ascent Solar Technologies, a company that produces very thin, lightweight solar cells. Continue reading