China has claimed the successful test-flying of a new vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) intended for service aboard the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy’s larger surface vessels. Continue reading
Category Archives: VTOL
Leonardo to Develop VTOL UAV for UK Royal Navy
The UK Royal Navy is moving a step closer to operating crewless helicopters. The UK MoD has awarded a £60 million contract to Leonardo to design and develop a cutting-edge uncrewed helicopter. Continue reading
Australian Navy Selects Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 for MUAS Programme
The Australian Department of Defence (DoD) has selected Schiebel‘s S-100 Camcopter for an initial phase of the Royal Australian Navy’s (RAN’s) programme to acquire a maritime unmanned aircraft system (MUAS), a ministerial spokesperson confirmed to Janes on 3 May. Continue reading
V-247 Tiltrotor Drone Downsized for Strike Role Aboard Navy Ships
Bell has resurrected the unmanned V-247 Vigilant designed for the Marine Corps and scaled it down for use as a strike and surveillance aircraft aboard Navy ships, where the autonomous tiltrotor can fit in the same space as an MH-60R and perform any of the manned helicopter’s missions. Continue reading
Schiebel Wins Prestigious Follow-On Contract with Royal Thai Navy
Schiebel wins another contract in Thailand to supply additional CAMCOPTER S-100 systems to the Royal Thai Navy (RTN). Continue reading
Airbus Helicopters Trialing VSR700 Autonomous Take-Off and Landing Capabilities at sea
Airbus Helicopters has begun trialing autonomous take-off and landing capabilities at sea for the VSR700, an unmanned aerial system (UAS) being developed in the frame of the SDAM (Système de drone aérien de la Marine) programme, conducted by the DGA (Direction générale de l’Armement – the French Armament General Directorate) for the French Navy. Continue reading
Steadicopter and Smart Shooter Unveil Golden Eagle – First RUAS with Precision Hit Capabilities
Steadicopter, a player in the Rotary Unmanned Aerial Systems (RUAS) industry, and Smart Shooter, a designer, developer, and manufacturer of innovative fire control systems that significantly increase the accuracy and lethality of small arms, have unveiled the Golden Eagle – the first-ever unmanned helicopter with precise hit capabilities. Continue reading
US Navy Develops MQ-8C Fire Scout Mine Detection System
The US Navy is working to develop a new mine countermeasure (MCM) sensor suite for the MQ-8C Fire Scout that that will enable the unmanned helicopter to detect and localize mines and obstacles on land and at-sea. Continue reading