Polish unmanned air vehicle manufacturer Flytronic is using the MSPO defence show in Kielce to highlight its range, as Poland’s military looks to acquire systems across five weight categories. Pride of place on its stand is the Manta LE, a hybrid-engined intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance platform that can offer vertical take-off and landing capability, as well as regular flight. Continue reading
Category Archives: Applications & Testing & Experience
Chinese Reconnaissance and Strike UAS Test Flight
China’s reconnaissance and strike UAS Rainbow NO.4 has conducted a test flight and completed simulation target practice, marking a major step forward for China’s unmanned technology. “The test flight was very successful today. During acceleration and deceleration, the aircraft kept taxiing on a central line on the runway. It’s well positioned to carry out the subsequent missions,” Li Pingkun, head of Rainbow No.4 Project, said.
Airbus Completes SatCom-controlled High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite Zephyr 7 Test Flight
Airbus Defence and Space has announced that the Zephyr 7 High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) has just completed its most demanding mission to date and thus set a new benchmark in persistent, year-round operations for this class of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The test consisted of over 11 days of non-stop flight, in winter weather conditions with a new primary payload, including flight controlled through satellite communications – three more benchmarks reached by Zephyr 7.
Lynx Multi-Mode Radar Detects Small, High-Interest Maritime Targets
Lynx Block 30 and Lynx Block 20 – Photo: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has announced that its Lynx Multi-mode Radar success- fully demonstrated the ability to support maritime operations in a littoral environment during the recent U.S. Navy Exercise Spearhead IIA held off the coast of Key West, Fla., in June. Continue reading
Puma Makes USCG Icebreaker Landing
Coast Guard and National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration researchers report the successful landing of an unmanned aircraft system on the flight deck of Coast Guard Cutter ‘Healy’, marking the first time a UAS has completed a take-off and landing aboard a Coast Guard icebreaker.
US Air Force Test Wing Gets Global Hawk for Software Testing
The 412th Test Wing’s Global Vigilance Combined Test Force received a Global Hawk Block 40 Aug. 6, on loan from Air Combat Command. The aircraft, from Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, is joining the Block 20 and 40 aircraft at Edwards AFB to offer an additional platform for configuration-constrained testing, allowing the test force to balance their schedule. Continue reading
Scion UAS Demonstrates Autonomous Takeoff and Landing from a Moving Platform
Scion UAS recently demonstrated autonomous takeoff and landing from a moving platform. The SA-400 Jackal landed smoothly on a 16ft x 20ft trailer being towed along a runway at speeds up to 10 knots. More than 10 landings and takeoffs were performed including straight-line approaches and 45-degree approaches to simulate ship-based operations. Continue reading
Afghan Man Develops UAS
An Afghan engineer has developed different types of unmanned aerial vehicle – drone and another aircraft which can be flown by a pilot.The aircraft developed by Engineer Zmarai Helali are operated with fuel and electricity energy, and have been made by ordinary elements such as wood, clothes and electrical devices.