India’s Defence Research and Development Organization told the Times of India recently that the aim of the secretive AURA (autonomous unmanned research aircraft) programme is to develop a UCAV for the Indian Air Force in seven to eight years.
Category Archives: Research
MIT : Mini-UAS to Navigate Dense Urban and Natural Environments
A multidisciplinary university research initiative (MURI) led by MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory Associate Professor, Russ Tedrake, will bring together a diverse group of researchers to develop a bird-sized UAS, thanks to an Office of Naval Research Grant. The vehicle will be capable of navigating both urban and forest environments using vision-based control.
NASA – Next Generation Aircraft Design Using Revolutionary Materials
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics has just published a fascinating presentation by Dr. Charles E. Harris, P.E., Director of the Research Directorate at the NASA Langley Research Center, on the possibilities for future aircraft design unleashed by the use of revolutionary new materials.
$500 K for MAV Autopilot Simulator Research
Jackson State University computer engineering professor Kamal Ali has been awarded a research grant worth $517,062 from the U.S. Department of Defense for a three-year-project to build a simulator to test MAV autopilots.
Bristol University Researches Autonomous in-Flight Refuelling
The University of Bristol will open a relative motion robotics centre of excellence to research and develop an autonomous engagement solution for in-flight refuelling. Cobham Mission Equipment has commissioned the centre, as part of the ASTRAEA Autonomy and Decision Making project. The South West RDA is providing significant support to this aspect of the programme.
Oz Team 5 Year Project to Develop UAS Safety Evaluation Tool
The University of Newcastle, Australia and Boeing Research and Technology Australia have launched a five-year project to develop a tool to evaluate whether unmanned aircraft meet the same levels of safety as piloted aircraft for particular operations.
Hyperion – the Hybrid Propulsion BWB-UAS
The Hyperion project at the University of Colorado is to conceive, design, integrate, and operate a 3 meter wingspan and 1.25 meter max chord flying wing airframe with a parallel hybrid propulsion system. It will be showcased at the Aerospace Engineering Department’s Design Symposium on April 15.
Boeing & Qinetiq to Build World’s Largest Unmanned Solar Aircraft with Help from Newcastle University (UK)
Newcastle University engineers in the UK will help QinetiQ build a monster, record-breaking solar-powered plane under a project jointly funded by Boeing and the US Government. The unmanned SolarEagle aircraft fitted with solar panels will be able to stay in the air at an altitude of more than 18km for five years at a time.