In the latest incident, Syrian rebels have unveiled a reported Pahpad UAS (Persian for “remotely piloted aircraft,” it’s generic like UAS) that they’d shot down/recovered/found maybe. A video on Youtube (since taken down) details the craft’s engine, wings, serial numbers, and FLIR optics turret. Continue reading
Category Archives: Military UAS
RQ-21A Small UAS Completes First East Coast Flight
The RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (STUAS) completed its first East Coast flight from Webster Field Annex on June 12, marking the start of the next phase of test for the programme. Continue reading
US Navy’s New, Bigger Fire Scout To Fly in Autumn
There’s a new Fire Scout in the pipeline — bigger, faster, longer legs, more muscle. It’s still being assembled and won’t fly until later this year, but it’s headed for the fleet as soon as late 2014. And it could fundamentally change some of the parameters expected of the US Navy’s seagoing unmanned helicopter programme. Continue reading
US Lethal Miniature Aerial Munition System Programme
New fights and new ways of fighting require new capabilities. Designing those capabilities for unknown future combat is a complex challenge, but two attributes find utility on any battlefield: speed and precision. Continue reading
Elbit Systems to Launch a Self Protection System for UAS at Paris Air Show 2013
Elbit Systems EW and Sigint – Elisra will launch at the Paris Air Show a self protection Electronic Warfare (EW) system, well suited for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Continue reading
France Committed to nEUROn says Defence Minister
French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian wrote an article for Les Echos on May 31, stating his commitment to buy 2 MQ-9 Reaper UAS from the USA, for delivery before the end of 2013. After so much procrastination, with only 2 Harfangs operational, and with pressing commitments in Mali and elsewhere, he says that France must take the immediately available choice. Continue reading
US Navy Unmanned Air Takes Off
May has been marked by a number of significant events taking place across US Navy unmanned aircraft programmes big and small. Continue reading
US State Department Cancels $1BN RFP for Installations and Convoy Route Surveillance
In a cryptic note on the U.S. government’s Federal Business Opportunities website on Friday, the US State Department cancelled its $1 billion UAS surveillance competition, saying that none of the proposals met its requirements. Continue reading