Fed up with geese fouling the grass and water at its Petrie Island beaches, the City of Ottawa government is calling in UAS strikes. It’s proving amazingly effective, said Orléans Coun. Bob Monette. The place used to be haunted by as many as 140 geese, which can eat several pounds of grass in a day and poop out nearly as much in waste. Continue reading
Category Archives: VTOL
Unmanned K-Max Gets Cleverer
Lockheed Martin and Kaman have demonstrated new capabilities for the K-Max unmanned cargo helicopter under the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate’s Autonomous Technologies for Unmanned Air Systems (ATUAS) programme. Continue reading
Official Launch of 3D Robotics Semi-Pro Quadcopter
3D Robotics (3DR) has announced the availability of Iris, an advanced quadcopter with full GPS-guided autonomous capabilities. Designed to provide an “out-of-the-box” flying experience, Iris aims to bring the power of professional grade aerial robotics to the mass market. Continue reading
New VTOL UAS from Taiwan
The Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) of Taiwan unveiled its new Mini-UAS Unmanned Aircraft System Magic-Eye at TADTE 2013, the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technolgy Exhibition which was held from 15 to 18 August 2013 in Taipei, Taiwan. Continue reading
Sikorsky Develops Matrix Software for Autonomous Helicopters
Sikorsky’s research department has announced that it is developing software and hardware called Matrix intended to “improve significantly the capability, reliability, and safety” of autonomous VTOL aircraft. Continue reading
QuadCopter Hits Bride Groom in the Head
A very popular video circulating the moment shows what can happen when amateur operators are let loose on the world. An embarrassing moment with no harm done and the video was posted at the request of the couple concerned. Continue reading
MQ-8B Fire Scout Unmanned Helicopter Passes 5,000 Flight Hours in Afghanistan
Since deploying to Afghanistan in 2011, the MQ-8 Fire Scout system has provided real-time airborne surveillance and targeting supporting counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs), provided targeting support and delivered real-time video to military forces on the ground.
Sikorsky Unveils MATRIX Technology to Advance VTOL Autonomy to Higher Levels of Capability and Safety
Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., has unveiled a major research program — designated MATRIX Technology — to develop, test and field systems and software that will improve significantly the capability, reliability and safety of flight for autonomous, optionally piloted, and piloted vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. Continue reading