The Russian unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) programme revealed as long ago as 2007 might have reached the flight-test phase. The evidence comes from a near midair over Arkhangelskoye on February 17, reported by the pilots of two L-29 jet trainers belonging to a civilian flying club based at the Barataevka airfield near Ulyanovsk. The L-29 pilots rapidly altered heading and altitude to escape collision with an unidentified flying object that they described as “a heavyweight unmanned air vehicle.”
Category Archives: Applications & Testing & Experience
EasyJet will use UAS to Inspect Airbus Fleet
EasyJet hopes to introduce UAS to inspect its fleet of Airbus aircraft as early as next year following trials in the next few months.They will be programmed to scan and assess the carrier’s fleet of Airbus A319 and A320 planes, reporting back to engineers on any damage which may require further inspection or maintenance work.
Lockheed Martin Demonstrates ADAM Ground-Based Laser System
In tests off the California coast, a Lockheed Martin prototype laser system successfully disabled two boats at a range of approximately 1.6 kilometers (approximately 1 mile). These were the first tests of the Area Defense Anti-Munitions (ADAM) system against maritime targets. Continue reading
X-47B Programme Prepares for Summer Sea Trials
The X-47B unmanned combat air system is gearing up for shore-based flight test activities in preparation for the next round of sea trials this summer. The program’s test team will conduct various test events with the X-47B over the next few months in an effort to mature air traffic control and ground support standard operating procedures for co-use of airspace between unmanned and manned aircraft during day and nighttime operations.
Carbon Landing Gear Leg Cushions UAV Landing
Using its Lost Core Resin Transfer Molding (LCRTM) system, Wichita, Kan.-based Fiber Dynamics Inc. manufactured the main landing gear strut for the Predator B MQ-9 Reaper. Continue reading
UAS to Detect Fruit Tree Diseases in Flanders
Tree diseases can wreak havoc in fruit orchards, and the disease known as fire blight is notorious in Flanders. To detect this disease more quickly, the Fruit Test Centre in Sint-Truiden and the Flemish Institute for Technological Research (Vito) are working on a new detection system. Continue reading
Aerial Advertising by UAS
DroneCast, a newly-formed high-flying advertising company, took its first flight in Philadelphia on Monday afternoon — launching from Eakins’s Oval along the Benjamin Franklin Parkway. Continue reading
Students Launch UAS Crowd-Funding Campaign
Cal State Fullerton is experimenting with crowdfunding to provide student groups and organizations with assistance in their major projects. University Advancement, which manages donation programs, has selected four projects as part of a pilot program that will serve as an experiment to see what funding goals can best attract potential donors. Continue reading