General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, has been awarded a $14,151,324 cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed-price undefinitized contract action modification (P00021) to a previously awarded contract (FA8620-16-C-3003) for the MQ-9 Block 5 kits, to include extended-range kits, beyond-line-of-sight kits and Barrett Asymmetrical Digital Datalink Computer Routers. Continue reading
Category Archives: Data Links & Communications
Intelsat EpicNG Beam Switching Test Success on MQ-9
Intelsat General, a wholly owned subsidiary of Intelsat, operator of the world’s first Globalized Network, has announced that it had successfully demonstrated beam switching capabilities of an in-flight unmanned aircraft system (UAS) operating on the company’s Intelsat 29e satellite. Continue reading
L3 to Produce UAS Tech Platforms for Army Apache Manned-Unmanned Teaming Program
L3 Technologies announced that it has received a production contract for multiple awards totalling $97 million in support of the U.S. Army’s Apache Manned/Unmanned Teaming – eXpanded Capabilities (MUMT-X) helicopter program. Continue reading
Small Antennas Could Bring Big Benefits to US Air Force
When it comes to military and consumer electronics, smaller is often better, and the Air Force Research Laboratory’s revolutionary new antenna design is promising to make military electronics much better. Continue reading
USAF Mini Crypto Chip Secures Communications
The US Air Force (USAF) has developed a new chip to secure communications and data between systems such as unmanned aerial vehicles and explosive ordnance disposal robots. Continue reading
AeroVironment Integrates New M1/M2/M5 Compatible Digital Data Links
AeroVironment, Inc. has announced that it has delivered M1/M2/M5-compatible Raven and Puma AE unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to two DoD customers, with more orders and deliveries scheduled. In addition, the company will begin taking orders in December 2017 for M1/M2/M5-configured Wasp AE micro air vehicles (MAV) for delivery in spring 2018. Continue reading
COMINT Payloads Added to Watchkeeper
The COMINT payload adds to other Watchkeeper sensors that currently include electro-optical payloads and Thales I-Master Synthetic Aperture Radars (SAR) and communication relays. The drone can carry two payloads simultaneously. Both I-Master and AS3 provide hemispheric coverage while the EO payload covers a small target area with high definition
Britain’s electronics expert QinetiQ has developed a variant of its AS3 communications intelligence (COMINT) system designed specifically for unmanned aerial vehicles. Following an integration, with Thales’ Watchkeeper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) the AS3 is now ready for initial test flights. Continue reading
AeroVironment’s New Long-Range Tracking Antenna Significantly Extends Puma AE UAS Capabilities
AeroVironment, Inc. , a global leader in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) for both military and commercial applications, today announced the release of a new, long-range tracking antenna (LRTA) for its Puma AE unmanned aircraft system. Continue reading