Tracking a Supercell Thunderstorm by UAS

The most ambitious drone-based investigation of severe thunderstorms to date will soon be launched by atmospheric scientists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and three partner institutions: Texas Tech University, the University of Colorado Boulder and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s National Severe Storms Laboratory. Continue reading →

GA-ASI Certifiable Ground Control Station Controls First End-to-End Flight

The Certifiable Ground Control Station (CGCS) from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) was used to control the complete flight of an MQ-9B SkyGuardian – including takeoff and landing – on March 12th. This is the first time the CGCS has been used to control an entire end-to-end flight of a Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). Continue reading →

Beware of Low-Flying Agricultural Aircraft this Season

The National Agricultural Aviation Association (NAAA) is asking all Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) operators to be aware of agricultural aircraft operations this growing season. As UAS operators know, UAS are not allowed above 400 feet without a waiver from the FAA. However, UAS operators should also know agricultural aviators fly as low as 10 feet off the ground when making an application, meaning they share this low-altitude airspace with UAS. Continue reading →

DARPA Announces Fourth Swarm Sprint

DARPA is soliciting creative proposals for the fourth swarm sprint in its OFFensive Swarm-Enabled Tactics (OFFSET)program. OFFSET envisions swarms of 250 collaborative autonomous systems providing critical capabilities to ground units in urban areas where challenges such as tall buildings, tight spaces, and limited sight lines constrain essential communications, sensing, maneuverability, and autonomous operations. Continue reading →

Collins Aerospace Unveils $50M Electric Power Systems Lab

Collins Aerospace Systems executives revealed plans for The Grid—the industry’s most advanced electric power systems lab. Collins Aerospace will use the high-power, high-voltage lab to design and test systems like high-power generators for the next generation of more electric aircraft, including commercial, military, business aviation, UAV and urban air mobility platforms. Collins Aerospace is a unit of United Technologies Corp. Continue reading →