Engineers at Microsoft Research in Cambridge, UK, last week introduced a new generation of tracking tags that can be interrogated from the air by UAS. On sensing a weak signal from one postage-stamp-sized tag fixed to an animal, a UAS can fly towards the creature on autopilot and retrieve the tag’s data. Continue reading
Category Archives: Applications & Testing & Experience
First Flight for Radiation Detector UAS at Bristol University
A flying radiation detector that could be used to help with nuclear decommissioning and clean-up at sites such as Fukushima and Sellafield was recently tested in a specially designed experimental area at the National Physical Laboratory, the only one of its kind in the UK.
Project RISER (remote intelligent survey equipment for radiation), a collaboration between the University of Bristol, Blue Bear Systems Research (BBSR), Createc, demonstrated at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) and funded by the UK’s Technology Strategy Board, has been focused on the development and demonstration of a unmanned air system (UAS) based radiation survey system that could potentially be used in hazardous environments. Continue reading
Thales Watchkeeper Gets Statement of Type Design Assurance from the UK Military Aviation Authority
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Thales UK has announced that its Watchkeeper Unmanned Air System (UAS) has received a Statement of Type Design Assurance (STDA) from the UK’s Military Aviation Authority (MAA). Continue reading
Solar Powered High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite Successful Test Flight
Astrium has successfully completed the first flight of its long endurance Zephyr solar powered High Altitude Pseudo-Satellite (HAPS) since it acquired the assets of the Zephyr programme in March 2013 from QinetiQ in the UK. Continue reading
Spain Trials UAS for European Border Control
Almeria Airport was the scene last week of the first flight of a UAS in the ‘Perseus’ project. The system is aimed at controlling the external borders of the European Union incorporating the latest technological advances to interact and receive on a single screen the data provided by different monitoring systems. Continue reading
Pacific Islands of Palau Test UAS to Deter Illegal Fishing
A five-day test of unmanned aircraft systems to deter illegal fisherman from Palau‘s waters has come to an end. Continue reading
The Death And Resurrection of Global Hawk
Despite the loss of business from the U.S. Air Force, American aircraft manufacturer Northrop Grumman continues to find customers for its RQ-4 Global Hawk UAS. In large part that’s because the RQ-4 has been much improved over the last three years. The RQ-4 has become more reliable, efficient, and flexible. Continue reading
Chinese HexaCopter Passes Flight and Bombing Tests
China has developed a six-rotor UAS made from carbon fiber which has successfully passed flying and bombing tests, according to 81tech.com, a state-run defence technology news website. Continue reading