Category Archives: Business News

AeriCam Anura–Smart Phone Size QuadCopter

Anura is a flying camera-equipped quadcopter that fits into your pocket so you can take it with you for the day. The creation of AeriCam, a four-year-old company founded by a commercial photographer with a passion for remote-controlled flying devices, the Anura is a flying quadcopter that, when its wings are folded into the main body, is about the size of a thicker iPhone 6. Continue reading

AeroVironment Gets $27M US Army Raven and Puma Spares Contracts

 AeroVironment, Inc. has announced it received three firm fixed-price orders from the United States Army totaling $27,178,075 for RQ-11B Raven and RQ-20A Puma AE unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) spare parts.  The company received two orders on August 29, 2014 and one on September 18, 2014.  Delivery is anticipated within 12 months. Continue reading

General Atomics Gets $53M US Air Force Support Contracts

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., Poway, California, has been awarded a $38,907,316 cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price order (00057) under basic ordering agreement contract FA8620-10-G-3038 for 62 ground data terminals, 50 MQ-9 C-Bands diplexer kits, spares and support equipment. Continue reading

Defense Department Questions US Air Force MQ-9 Procurement Plans

MQ-9The Defense Department Inspector General said the US Air Force has not justified its plan to procure 401 MQ-9 remotely piloted aircraft, and “risks spending” some $8.8 billion on 46 Reapers “it may not need,” according to a report from the Defense Department Inspector General, released Sept. 30. But, the Air Force says that report is based on old data. “The Air Force is only buying 346 aircraft, 55 fewer than the 401 figure contained in the report. And, we’ve only received about half that number,” said Lt. Gen. Robert Otto, Air Force deputy chief of staff for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, in an Oct. 2 release.

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Northrop Grumman Gets $306M Global Hawk Operations Contract

RQ-4 Block 30 Global HawkNorthrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, has been awarded a $306,133,056 definitive contract for Global Hawk contractor logistic services and sustainment III. Contractor will provide contractor logistics support of the Global Hawk fielded weapon system, to include providing material and services for planning, operations and maintenance support.

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Plexi Drone Aims to Simplify Aerial Filming

A Toronto startup is launching a campaign to send swarms of lightweight cameras into the skies. The PlexiDrone is a small quadcopter with a snap-in socket for lifting a variety of prosumer devices skyward, from point-and-shoots to GoPros. DreamQii, the company behind the PlexiDrone, boasts that the aircraft’s design lets users capture 360 degrees of footage without propellers or landing gear getting in the way. Continue reading