The Navy’s Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 35 last week became the first composite expeditionary helicopter squadron to include both manned and unmanned aircraft. HSM-35 will operate both the manned, multi-mission MH-60R Seahawk and the MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aircraft. Continue reading
Category Archives: VTOL
First Authorised RPAS Flight in an Urban Environment in Italy
The recent technological development of mini RPAS has opened large new opportunities for both surveyors and other Geomatic professionals in the fields of photogrammetry and remote sensing. Continue reading
US Army Moves Ahead on Manned-Unmanned Teaming
The US Army is taking a multi-pronged approach to upgrading its rotary-wing and unmanned aircraft fleets, investing in technologies that will not only allow helicopter pilots to monitor feeds from UAS, but also operate the sensors and weapon systems from safe distances. Continue reading
Northrop Grumman Markets MQ-8C as ‘Rotary Wing UAS of the Future’
A full scale mock-up of Northrop Grumman’s MQ-8C, the unmanned platform that is to succeed the MQ-8B, was on show earlier this month at the Navy League’s Sea-Air-Space exposition at National Harbor, Md. Continue reading
Eurocopter’s Successful OPV Flights
Eurocopter’s ability to integrate unmanned flight capabilities into its helicopter family has been validated by an optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) demonstration programme, which used an EC145 to fly routes that included deployment of an external sling load and a representative observation mission. Continue reading
Unmanned OctoCopter Crashes into Thames Filming TV Show
A scuba diver has told how he recovered vital footage of the new series of The X Factor after answering an SOS call from producers to retrieve a video camera from the Thames. Continue reading
NAB Vegas As Seen by DJI Phantom Vision UAS
Ever wondered what NAB Vegas looked like through the eyes of a fully stabilized flying camera? The footage above shows the Las Vegas strip and from inside the NAB exhibit hall. Continue reading
US Animal Rights Organisation PETA Buys Octocopters to Track Illegal Hunting
Animal rights organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) announced plans to launch hunter- and fisher-tracking unmanned aircraft in American airspace. Continue reading