There’s a first time for everything, and BAE Systems’ next-generation Identification Friend or Foe system reached a first – flying on board the MQ-4C Triton, a high altitude unmanned aircraft. Continue reading
Category Archives: Applications & Testing & Experience
US Navy’s New, Bigger Fire Scout To Fly in Autumn
There’s a new Fire Scout in the pipeline — bigger, faster, longer legs, more muscle. It’s still being assembled and won’t fly until later this year, but it’s headed for the fleet as soon as late 2014. And it could fundamentally change some of the parameters expected of the US Navy’s seagoing unmanned helicopter programme. Continue reading
Spain to Open UAs Test Centre by Year End
A new unmanned air system (UAS) testing centre with its own reserved airspace for remotely-piloted technology, the first of its kind in Spain, is expected to be operating by the end of this year. Continue reading
Eurocopter X3 Hybrid Helicopter Creates New Speed Record at 263 knots – 487 km/hr
The Eurocopter X3 hybrid helicopter has opened the frontiers of aviation by attaining a speed milestone of 255 knots (472 km/hr) in level flight on June 7. Several days before this accomplishment, the X3 reached a speed of 263 knots (487 km/hr) during a descent. With these two successes, the X3 surpasses the unofficial speed record for a helicopter. Continue reading
Raven Industries Persistent Surveillance Solution Supports U.S. Navy South Maritime Operations
Raven Aerostar recently concluded a successful maritime operation in response to an urgent requirement from the Commander, U.S. Navy South (Mayport, Fla.) for a maritime persistent surveillance solution aimed at enhancing security in the Caribbean Basin. Continue reading
Aurora Electric Ducted Lift Fan Completes High Powered Thrust Tests for DARPA
Aurora Flight Sciences along with partners ThinGap and Trust Automation are answering the need for safe, high power density electric lift fans, with specific interest in vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) air vehicle applications. Continue reading
US Lethal Miniature Aerial Munition System Programme
New fights and new ways of fighting require new capabilities. Designing those capabilities for unknown future combat is a complex challenge, but two attributes find utility on any battlefield: speed and precision. Continue reading
Phantom Eye Gets $7M Missile Defence Payload Contract
Boeing’s high-altitude Phantom Eye technology demonstrator has secured its first customer, the US Missile Defense Agency (MDA). Continue reading