The latest iteration of Iran’s Ababil looks much different than its predecessor generations. Though it still uses a pusher configuration, the “Ababil 3” is strikingly similar to South Africa’s Denel Seeker — which it may, in fact, be, either a reverse-engineered copy or simply straight-up rebadged. Continue reading
Category Archives: Military UAS
GA-ASI Completes First Production-Representative MQ-9B SkyGuardian
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has completed the first production-representative MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). First flight of this aircraft took place on March 30, 2020 at GA-ASI’s Flight Operations Facility in El Mirage, California. Continue reading
Final 3 Teams in First FirePoint C3 Challenge
The FirePoint Innovations Center at Wichita State University has announced the final three teams have been selected in the first-ever FirePoint C3 Challenge. With a combined $35,000 in funding to bring their concepts to life, the three teams will now begin putting their heads—and designs—together, collaborating to build the U.S. Army’s next-generation unmanned aerial vehicle concept (UAV). Continue reading
First Order for FLIR Black Hornet Vehicle Reconnaissance System
FLIR Systems, Inc. announced that the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment has procured one of the company’s Black Hornet Vehicle Reconnaissance Systems (VRS) as part of an innovative base protection program. The order represents the first sale of an integrated VRS system for FLIR. Continue reading
Air National Guard to Install GA-ASI Detect and Avoid System on Two MQ-9 RPA
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. and the Air National Guard have signed a contract for GA-ASI to supply its Detect and Avoid System for one MQ-9 Block 1 and one MQ-9 Block 5 Remotely Piloted Aircraft. Continue reading
US Marine Corps to Double UAS Squadrons by 2030
The U.S. Marine Corps is planning to change its aviation community significantly as part of a long-range effort to align its force structure more with the National Defense Strategy, including doubling the number of unmanned aerial system (UAS) squadrons and deactivating three rotary-wing squadrons. Continue reading
GA-ASI to Use Belgian Radomes for MQ-9B
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. will work with Belgium-based Sociétés Anonyme Belge de Constructions Aéronautiques, SABCA to supply Satellite Communications (SATCOM) radomes for the MQ-9B SkyGuardian and SeaGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). Continue reading
Australian Army Finalises Shortlist for Shadow 200 Replacement
The replacement of the Australian Army’s Shadow 200 Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) through project LAND 129 Phase 3 has progressed to the tendering process. Continue reading







