Within the UK-French framework, Thales and Finmeccanica Selex ES will cooperate for the development of the multifunction sensor suite and the communication sub-system of the future Anglo-French Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS). Continue reading
Category Archives: Applications & Testing & Experience
MIT Researches UAS for Automated Lighting
Lighting is crucial to the art of photography. But lights are cumbersome and time-consuming to set up, and outside the studio, it can be prohibitively difficult to position them where, ideally, they ought to go. Researchers at MIT and Cornell University hope to change that by providing photographers with squadrons of small, light-equipped autonomous robots that automatically assume the positions necessary to produce lighting effects specified through a simple, intuitive, camera-mounted interface. Continue reading
First Flight of Predator XP
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. announced the successful first flight of Predator XP, an updated version of the company’s flagship Predator RPA that has been licensed by the U.S. Government for sale to a broader customer base, including countries in the Middle East, North Africa, South America, and Asia. The flight occurred June 27 at Castle Dome Airfield, located at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground Range Complex in Arizona.
Russian UAS with Air-Cushion Landing
Russia’s United Instrument-Making Corporation, a Rostec subsidiary, presented the unique and innovative Chirok UAS at the Innoprom international technology exhibition, the press service of the state corporation reported.
Export-licensed Predator Makes Maiden Flight
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has successfully conducted the first flight of its export-ready Predator XP surveillance unmanned aircraft system.
Bermuda UAS for Drug Busts and Search & Rescue
Donte Hunt is going to be Bermuda’s ‘eye in the sky’. The businessman has established a new business to operate unmanned reconnaissance aircraft that can fly for 20 hours streaming back live high definition video to the Island. Continue reading
3D Printed UAS a Reality by 2040 says BAE Systems
BAE Systems is placing a lot of faith in the terrifying potential for 3D printing. 3D printers could be so advanced by 2040 that they could create small unmanned aircraft the company’s scientists and engineers claim.
‘Sense-and-Avoid’ System for Hobby Quadcopters
Panoptes UAV, a Cambridge, Massachusetts-based start-up, has created a system that uses echolocation to help small quadcopters avoid collisions. The product, the eBumper, contains acoustic sensors that work outdoors, indoors and in all weather conditions, said Terrence McKenna, chief executive officer. Continue reading