an independent online news service for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems world
Chinese government scientists have released the results of a weather modification experiment in the dry western region of Xinjiang. A fleet of cloud seeding drones increased rainfall by over 4 per cent across more than 8,000 sq km (3,089 sq miles) in a day, according to the project team led by Li Bin, senior engineer with the China Meteorological Administration (CMA). Continue reading
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, was awarded a $10,845,151 Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract for MQ-9B protector in-service sustainment support. This contract will provide for sustainment support for the United Kingdom Royal Air Force. Continue reading
The US Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division successfully air-launched a Solid Fuel Integral Rocket Ramjet (SFIRR) from an unmanned vehicle for the first time, one step toward modernizing missile technology. Continue reading
The UK’s Military Aviation Authority has issued a Military Type Certificate to the Royal Air Force’s Protector RG Mk1 unmanned aircraft, also designated the MQ-9B, certifying that it has passed a rigorous airworthiness assessment and verifying it’s safe to operate without geographic restrictions, including over populous areas. Continue reading
Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and European defence group MBDA have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will pave the way for joint efforts to explore innovative and low-cost solutions for countering drone threats. The announcement was made on the sidelines of IMDEX Asia. Continue reading
Latvian Defence tech startup Origin Robotics has launched BLAZE, an autonomous counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) interceptor designed to neutralize fast-moving aerial threats with precision and speed. As drones become an increasingly dominant force on the modern battlefield, BLAZE offers a cost-effective solution to counter them, filling the gap between traditional gun-based air defence and high-cost missile interceptors. Continue reading
– DZYNE Technologies, an innovator in autonomous defense solutions, announced the delivery of multiple “Grasshopper” expendable aerial cargo glider vehicles to the U.S. Air Force. This delivery is part of a broader ongoing program to enhance contested logistics capabilities. Continue reading
A up-close look at L3Harris’ Sky Warden variant of the famed AT-802 Air Tractor that is serving as the test aircraft for Air Force Special Operation Command’s OA-1K Skyraider II program. The War Zone met up with L3Harris at this year’s Special Operations Forces Week conference in Tampa, Florida. Continue reading