The U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) completed a successful land-based operational assessment (OA) with the unmanned, autonomous helicopter MQ-8C Fire Scout, at Naval Base Ventura County, Point Mugu, Nov. 20. The OA demonstrated the endurance and sensor integration capabilities on the new MQ-8C airframe.
Category Archives: Military UAS
Korea Steps Up Drone Development
With countries around the globe racing to roll out better performing unmanned aerial vehicles, South Korea is striving to strengthen its entry into the market.
Heron 1 Chalks Up 25,000 Flight Hours in Afghanistan
Following this year’s 410th flight on 16 November 2015, the Heron Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), which is jointly operated by the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) and Airbus Defence and Space, successfully landed in Mazar-e-Sharif in northern Afghanistan, bringing the total number of flight hours it has completed in the country up to 25,000. The occasion was celebrated at Camp Mazar-e-Sharif together with the Luftwaffe.
US Air Force Hires Civilian Pilots for Combat Patrols
The US Air Force has hired civilian defence contractors to fly MQ-9 Reaper drones to help track suspected militants and other targets in global hot spots, a previously undisclosed expansion in the privatization of once-exclusively military functions. Continue reading
Spain Wants to Arm its MQ-9 Fleet
Spain has confirmed that it will eventually try to weaponise its future fleet of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air vehicles, although the immediate priority is to bring the surveillance-only variant into operation. Continue reading
Russia Deploys UAS Squadron to Arctic Region
Orlan 10
A squadron of the Orlan-10 and Forpost (Outpost) unmanned aerial vehicles for the Arctic region has been formed in Russia’s Eastern Military District. It is based near the administrative center of Chukotka Autonomous District Anadyr, head of the press service of the Eastern Military District Alexander Gordeyev told TASS on Monday.
Texas Air National Guard MQ-1 Predator Reaches 100,000 Flying Hours
Achieving 100,000 flying hours takes years to realize. But for the members of the 147th Reconnaissance Wing, Texas Air National Guard, conquering this incredible feat is just a testament to their hard work and dedication to their mission. Continue reading
RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk Sale Approved to Japan
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan for RQ-4 Block 30 (I) Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.2 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 19, 2015.