UAS VISION
an independent online news service for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems world
The U.S. Air Force is developing new computer algorithms to allow fighter pilots to control armed drones from inside their own cockpits. The goal of the so-called “Loyal Wingman” initiative is to pair up manned, fifth-generation stealth fighters with unmanned versions of older jets — in order to boost the lethality of both in air combat. Continue reading
The Australian Navy put the word out a request for tender for a rotary wing UAS with a strong focus on ISR. Whilst the tender closed on April 11, it’s still worth looking at who’s in the mix.
Washington has vetoed any further sales of Israeli-made unmanned air vehicles to Russia. For several months Russian companies have contacted Israeli manufacturers in an attempt to reach joint venture agreements. However after checking with the Israeli defence ministry about the potential of formalising any such pact, it became obvious the US administration would be very strongly opposed, and would veto any export license. Further discussions have been halted as a result. Continue reading
The US Air Force is to integrate the Northrop Grumman AN/AAQ-28(V) Litening targeting and designation pod onto the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to demonstrate the capability, it was disclosed on 12 April.
Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 (VMU-1) conducts its first launch of an RQ-7Bv2 “Shadow” unmanned aircraft system at the Canon Air Defense Complex aboard Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Arizona, Saturday, March 26, 2016. Continue reading
The US Air Force unit charged with guarding a nuclear arsenal is searching for mini-drones designed to electronically dogfight other mini-drones. Continue reading
The US Army is looking to develop an autonomous unmanned aerial system that can act as a kind of scout for ground vehicles, following the road in front of the vehicle at a fairly low altitude while matching the vehicle’s speed, with the ability for ground crew to manually override the UAS controls when necessary. Continue reading
The IDF is mulling the purchase of a new type of small drone that can hover in the area of a target and then dive down to destroy it with an explosive. During a press event in which the Israel Aerospace Industries showed off some of its unmanned products, an IAI executive said the military is interested in its Rotem drone. Continue reading