The U.S. military is heavily reliant on unmanned aircraft systems to serve as its eyes and weapons on the battlefield. But other nations have also been active in acquiring their own platforms, which raises the possibility that future warfighters may have to face a UAS-equipped opponent.
Category Archives: Applications & Testing & Experience
Fire Scout to Be Armed
America’s only combat casualty in Libya had no way of defending itself, when it was taken out by a heavy anti-aircraft weapon. But that’s about to change. The U.S. Navy’s Fire Scout unmanned helicopter is poised to start test-firing rockets. By the end of next year, it should be fully weaponized.
Aerovel Flexrotor VTOL Small Unmanned Aircraft
Second Northrop Grumman X-47B UCAS Engine-On Tests Scheduled
The second Northrop Grumman X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System demonstrator (UCAS) is scheduled to hold its first engine-on tests on August 21, followed shortly by taxi tests and a first flight.
Boeing Demonstrates ‘Swarm’ Reconnaissance with Unmanned Aircraft
Boeing has announced the successful autonomous communications and operation of dissimilar unmanned aircraft in flight tests over the rugged terrain of eastern Oregon.
Raytheon Completes Lab Testing Gravity-Dropped Bomb Specifically Designed for Employment from UAS
Raytheon Company completed laboratory integration and testing of its Small Tactical Munition Phase II configuration, setting the stage for flight tests later this year. The new configuration is smaller, more affordable and fits in common launch tube.
Northrop STARLite Radar Demonstrates Dismount Tracking at Empire Challenge 2011
A STARLite-equipped Firebird at the Empire Challenge Exercise
At the U.S. Joint Forces Command’s Empire Challenge 2011, Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully demonstrated the ability of its STARLite radar to provide Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI) data and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) imagery to ground commanders in real time.
Lindbergh Prize for Electric Aircraft Vision Award Goes to ELEKTRA ONE from PC-Aero
From left to right: in the cockpit: Test Pilot Norbert Lorenzen, Sascha Voitle (mechanic), Calin Gologan (developer of the Elektra One and CEO PC-Aero), Michael Mularski (SolarWorld) Photo:Shahn Sederberg
Erik Lindbergh, founder of LEAP, announced the winner of the Lindbergh Prize for Electric Aircraft at the World Electric Aircraft Symposium at EAA’s AirVenture in Oshkosh. PC-Aero is the winner for its integration of Solar World’s solar technology into its ELEKTRA ONE aircraft and the supporting hangar.