The Dutch engineer behind the idea for circular runways at airports has revealed plans to build a test runway for unmanned delivery drones. Henk Hesselink is collaborating with Valkenburg airport, a disused naval base near The Hague, which has ambitions to become a drone innovation centre. Continue reading
Category Archives: Launchers & Recovery Systems
Drone Ballistic Recovery System
Indemnis hopes to put its Nexus ballistic drone recovery system on the market by next summer. Company founder Alan Erickson said the system should retail for between $1,700 and $2,500 and satisfy upcoming FAA regulations for UAS flight over people and in urban areas for Part 107 commercial operations. Continue reading
Robonic to Deliver 3rd Gen KONTIO Launcher to Sweden
Robonic Ltd Oy (a subsidiary of Safran Electronics & Defense) has signed a contract to deliver a third-generation KONTIO pneumatic launcher to the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for use at its Vidsel Test Range. Continue reading
Russian UAS Laser-Guided Automatic Landing System
Russia’s Kronshtadt Group has developed a laser system for determining the coordinates of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) designed to give the exact data on a drone’s position at its approach phase. The technology was presented at the MAKS-2017 international airshow. Continue reading
Portable UAV Landing Zone
Indianapolis-based Ocelleye LLC, a commercial drone operator in North America, has released its UAV Landing Zone for vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) weighing under 25 pounds. Continue reading
Robonics Delivers Third-Gen Kontio Launchers to US Army

Robonic Ltd Oy (a subsidiary of Safran Electronics & Defense) working with Kratos has delivered two of its third-generation Kontio (type MC2555LLR) pneumatic launchers to the U.S. Army Targets Management Office, part of PEO STRI (Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation).
Olaeris Gets UAV Docking & Recharging Patent
Olaeris has announced that it has been granted U.S. Patent #9577445, outlining proprietary technology and methodology for autonomous alignment, docking, recharging and/or refuelling of unmanned aircraft. The patent also extends to water borne drones and zero-G vehicles such as spacecraft. The technology significantly reduces the most expensive part of UAS operation which is manpower. Continue reading
AeroVironment’s New Remote-Controlled Multi-Pack Launcher

AeroVironment, Inc. has introduced a Multi-Pack Launcher (MPL) for it’s Switchblade Lethal Miniature Aerial Missile System and it’s Blackwing tube-launched unmanned aircraft. Continue reading




