U.S. Navy aviators are already learning how to “fly” the MQ-25 unmanned aerial refueller before the first air vehicle comes off the production line. Continue reading
Category Archives: Applications & Testing & Experience
Aerovel’s Flexrotor Hits Group 2 Upper Limit
Diminutive, and squat on its four lunar-lander legs, a Flexrotor spins-up its outsize rotor, levitates into the sky, and “transitions” to a relaxed, sailplane-like cruise. Continue reading
Kawasaki Successfully Tests Ninja H2R-Powered K-RACER Unmanned Helicopter
Kawasaki Heavy Industries announced that it has successfully carried out the first flight tests of the K-RACER (Kawasaki Researching Autonomic Compound to Exceed Rotorcraft) at the Taiki-Cho Multipurpose Aerospace Park in Hokkaido. Interestingly, the unmanned compound helicopter was equipped with a supercharged Ninja H2R engine. Continue reading
Quaternium and Löweheiser Complete 10h+ HYBRiX Flight
Quaternium has partnered with the pioneer EFI manufacturer Löweheiser, to complete a hovering flight of 10 hours and 14 minutes with its fuel-electric multirotor HYBRiX. Continue reading
Successful Test Flight of Dutch Solar-Powered Drone
The first Dutch solar drone manufactured by Avy, performed a successful test flight at the end of this summer. The drone is equipped with custom solar foil developed by Wattlab to reflect and absorb more sunlight. Continue reading
Cellular Communications from the Stratosphere
H3Grob 520
Deutsche Telekom and its technology partner Stratospheric Platforms Ltd conducted the world’s first successful demonstration of LTE/4G voice and data connectivity over a platform flying at the edge of the stratosphere and fully integrated into a commercial mobile network. Continue reading
US Navy Tests Drone Delivery to Ballistic-Missile Submarine
The U.S. Navy delivered supplies to a nuclear submarine for the first time using a drone. A quadcopter-type drone delivered a small payload to the U.S. Navy’s Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Henry M. Jackson (SSBN 730). Continue reading
Boeing’s Loyal Wingman Completes First Taxi
The Boeing Loyal Wingman aircraft being developed with the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) recently moved under its own power for the first time, a key milestone for the aircraft that’s expected to make its first flight this year. Continue reading