The ADS 95 Ranger reconnaissance unmanned aircraft system, which the Swiss Armed Forces have been operating since 2001, will be replaced by 2020. The choice of the new model provides the basis for the dispatch on procurement. Continue reading
Category Archives: Military UAS
Schiebel Demonstrates the Camcopter S-100 Maritime Capabilities for Brazilian Navy
Schiebel‘s dedication to the maritime domain and its ability to respond to the evolving unmanned systems requirements lead to a series of trials for the Brazilian Navy from 2nd to 5th June near San Pedro, Brazil, from the Brazilian Amazonas Class Ship APA.
Sea Bat UAS Performs Sea Trials
Northrop Grumman just release this video of its Seabat UAS. Continue reading
U.S. Marines Deploy Blackjack UAS to Afghanistan
The U.S. Marine Corps has deployed the new RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to Afghanistan through an early operational capability. The 135-pound-mtow aircraft is undergoing initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E), a phase the service expects to complete this year. Continue reading
Italian Navy Evaluation Trials with Camcopter S-100
The Italian Navy has begun technical assessments of Schiebel’s Camcopter S-100 unmanned-aerial vehicle (UAV) on the San Giusto (L89894) landing helicopter dock. The week-long evaluation trials are being carried out together with pilots from the navy’s fourth Helicopter Group and Schiebel representatives.
Target QF16 Could Become MQ-16 Lawn Dart
There is an effort underway to develop a UAV version of the F-16. This would be based on the QF-16, the remotely controlled target version of the F-16. The air force is already in the process of converting 210 retired F-16s to QF-16s and it was noted that with a little extra work the QF-16 could be turned into a combat UAV for dangerous missions like SEAD (suppression of enemy defenses) or attacking ground targets guarded by heavy air defenses.
Heron UAS Operators Offered Airframe Transplant
Existing operators of the Israel Aerospace Industries Heron unmanned aircraft system are being offered a way of getting the advanced performance of the heavy fuel engine-powered Super Heron, by taking the avionics package of the older version and “transplanting” it into the new model’s enlarged fuselage.
Switzerland Considers Israeli UAS
After a public vote ruling out buying Gripen fighter jets, the Swiss parliament will also be looking at new UAS. The decision has sparked controversy, as both models being considered are produced by Israel and were tested in the conflict with Palestine. Continue reading