GA-ASI $123M Gets Netherlands MQ-9 Contract

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems was awarded a $123 million contract for four MQ-9 Reaper drones for the Netherlands. The not-to-exceed $123,293,911 contract (FA8620-19-F-2310) provides for four MQ-9 Block 5 unmanned air vehicles, four Mobile Ground Control Stations, spares, and support equipment. Work is expected to be complete by December. 31, 2020. Continue reading

DARPA Reveals Details of CODE Program

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has given further details on the capabilities of its Collaborative Operations in Denied Environment (CODE) program aims to adapt and respond to unexpected threats for existing unmanned aircraft that would extend mission capabilities and improve U.S. forces’ ability to conduct operations in denied or contested airspace. Continue reading

Oklahoma State University Gets FAA Authorization to Fly in Swarms

Student Seabrook Whyte and USRI research engineer Taylor Mitchell performing test flights at the FAA UAS IPP site

Oklahoma State University’s Unmanned Systems Research Institute (USRI) received its certificate of authorization from the FAA to permit flights of a fixed wing aircraft swarm within national airspace, making them the first in the country to receive this authorization. Continue reading