Category Archives: OPA

UAVOS and JetLease to Convert Pipistrel Sinus into OPA

The world’s largest private leasing company, JetLease, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with UAVOS Inc, the Mountain View, Ca.-based company specialised in the design, development and manufacturing of unmanned vehicles and autopilot systems, to provide a range of finance and leasing options for the innovative optionally manned fixed wing aircraft Albatross-2.2. Continue reading →

Leonardo Solo Optionally Piloted Helicopter Performs First Unmanned Flight

Leonardo announced that the SW-4 Solo optionally piloted helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight with no safety pilot onboard at Taranto-Grottaglie Airport (Southern Italy). The aircraft flew for 45 minutes and all systems performed as expected with excellent controllability and handling qualities. Continue reading →

Leonardo Studies Second-Generation Rotary-Wing UAV

Leonardo’s new SW-4 Solo would be an optionally manned derivative of this SW-4 light turbine helicopter,

Leonardo is studying concepts for a second-generation rotary-wing unmanned air vehicle for use in both land and maritime environments. The European manufacturer is building on its experience with its AWHero 150-kg (330-lb.) light rotary-wing UAV and the SW-4 Solo, an optionally manned derivative of the SW-4 light turbine helicopter built in Poland. Continue reading →

Aurora’s OPA UH-1H Gets FAA Airworthiness Certificate

Aurora Flight Sciences announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted a Special Airworthiness Certificate to Aurora’s newest optionally-piloted aircraft, a UH-1H helicopter. The latest development in the Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (AACUS) program, Aurora has added a complete digital flight control system to create the “Autonomy-enabled UH-1,” or AEH-1. Continue reading →

Aurora Honoured for Innovation in Switzerland

At a ceremony in New York City, Aurora Flight Sciences was awarded with a 2017 Tell Award, which honours U.S. companies that have made significant and innovative investments in Switzerland. Sponsored annually by Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE), the Tell Awards were established in 2004 to “recognize companies that boldly accept the risks and rewards that come with international expansion and demonstrate success with operations in Switzerland.” Continue reading →