The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is using its existing authority under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) § 99.7 – “Special Security Instructions” – to address national security concerns about unauthorized drone operations over 133 military facilities. Continue reading
Under the Hood of Land Rover’s Project Hero
Last month, Jaguar Land Rover revealed Project Hero, the car manufacturer’s joint effort with R&D consultancy Roke to develop a bespoke off-road vehicle for the Austrian Red Cross. The vehicle comes complete with an autonomous unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system to aid search and rescue missions. Continue reading
In-Flight Rechargeable Drones for Pipeline Inspection
SkyX is an Ontario, Canada-based company that is looking to improve the way those in the oil and gas sector use vehicles to detect any damage or threat to their operations. Currently, most companies use manned aircraft such as helicopters or ground vehicles to do the job. SkyX is looking to lower the cost of these operations and make them more efficient by using drones. Continue reading
Airlander Gets ‘Giant Inflatable Feet’ after Crash
Airlander has announced two significant enhancements to the aircraft ahead of its imminent Hangar Exit and resumption of its Flight Test Programme, namely an all-new Auxiliary Landing System and a Mobile Mooring Mast. Continue reading
US Border Patrol Wants Face-Reading Drones
US Customs and Border Protection is looking at a more mobile way to monitor the border: consumer drones. The agency is currently soliciting proposals for small unmanned aerial systems, similar to consumer drones manufactured by DJI and Parrot, to be deployed by US Border Patrol agents in the field. Continue reading
NASA Developing Drones for Mars Exploration
Using rovers has done wonders to open up Mars exploration, but traveling at a rate of about 10 mi (16 km) every four and half years is still a bit limiting, so NASA”s Langley Research Center is looking at expanding that range by equipping future missions with autonomous aerial drones. Continue reading
MQ-4C Triton Improves Mission Capability with Software Upgrade Test
The U.S. Navy’s MQ-4C Triton, built by Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), completed formal lab testing and a successful first flight of an improved software suite that enhances the autonomous unmanned system’s operational capabilities and enables Early Operational Capability (EOC) deployment in early 2018. Continue reading
New Chinese Drone for Export
BZK 005
China is the largest exporter of military drones today, and it is ready to place a new model on the international market. The TYW-1, developed by Beihang University in Beijing, one of China’s top institutes for science and technology, is an unmanned aircraft for reconnaissance and combat based on the BZK-005 high-altitude, long-range reconnaissance drone, which the university also developed. Continue reading