France, which had favoured a joint project with Britain to build military UAS under the previous government, is looking at partnerships with other countries, Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Monday, as he criticized the cost and effectiveness of the project with Great Britain. Continue reading
Category Archives: Military UAS
US Navy Launches First Unmanned Helicopter Squadron
The US Navy will usher in a new era next month in Coronado by launching its first unmanned-helicopter squadron, which will train current pilots and enlisted nonpilots to fly the up to 6,000-pound unmanned aircraft that may eventually claim a spot on every Navy ship. Continue reading
AeroVironment Gets Second $16M Funding from $66M US Army Raven Contract
AeroVironment, Inc. announced that it received $16,472,298 in additional funding to perform on Aug. 10, 2012 from the United States Army under a contract action with a total projected value of $65,889,191. The company announced the initial $15.8 million funding of that contract action on June 1, 2012. Continue reading
Pentagon Lists 66 Countries Eligible to Buy American UAS
As many as 66 countries would be eligible to buy American UAS under new Defense Department guidelines but Congress and the State Department, which have a final say, have not yet opened the spigots for exports, a senior Pentagon official said on Wednesday. Continue reading
General Atomics MQ-9 Block 1-plus Aircraft Completes Successful First Flight
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. announced the successful first flight of the Block 1-plus Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper, an upgrade to the original Block 1 Predator B that has been in production since 2003. Continue reading
Hermes 900 and Heron 1 in Final Flight Tests for Swiss Air Force Contract
In-flight evaluations will take place in September and October on the Emmen airbase for the acquisition of new unmanned aircraft reconnaissance system (ADS 15). Continue reading
Spain’s Searchers Reach 500 Missions in Afghanistan
The Spanish Army has completed its first 500 intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions in Afghanistan using Israel Aerospace Industries Searcher II. Continue reading
Innocon Reveals Spider for Indian UAS Contest
Israeli manufacturer Innocon has unveiled its candidate for a requirement to supply a new class of unmanned aircraft system to the Indian Air Force and Navy. Continue reading