The world’s first fully integrated detect-track-disrupt-defeat Anti-UAV Defence System (AUDS) – developed by a trio of British companies including Blighter Surveillance Systems, Chess Dynamics and Enterprise Control Systems, and integrated/supported in North America by Liteye Systems Inc. – has been selected by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for evaluation at US airports as part of its Pathfinder Programme.
Airborne Detect and Avoid System Tests on Guardian
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) has announced the successful operational testing of a Detect and Avoid (DAA) system including GA-ASI’s Due Regard Radar (DRR) aboard a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Guardian Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), a maritime variant of GA-ASI’s Predator B RPA. The DAA system also includes Honeywell’s Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System (TCAS) and Sensor Tracker, specifically designed for DAA.
MBDA Showcases Anti-UAS Laser-Based System
MBDA Deutschland showcased a new laser-based system for countering unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) at the ILA Airshow in Berlin on 1 June.
Paraglider Pilot Jumps from a Helicopter
Aidan Limbert makes the first Southern Hemisphere paraglider launch from a helicopter at the Classic Fighters Airshow in Blenheim, New Zealand. Continue reading
Predator B Big Wing Flies Over 37 Hours Non-Stop
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI),has announced the longest endurance flight of the Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper Big Wing aircraft, a next-generation derivative of the combat-proven Predator B RPA.
INAER Spain to use UAVs for Fire Spotting
During a presentation at the UNVEX16 event at Madrid–Cuatro Vientos Airport, Spain, José Luis Saiz, INAER Spain’s director of research and development, explained that the extensive experience of INAER Spain using EO / IR, SAR and LIDAR sensors for surveillance services, grounding that will allow them to become the first European operator to perform surveillance and observation activities in firefighting missions, not only daytime but also at night. Continue reading
Airbus Unveils Thor – Fully 3D Printed Test UAV
When it comes to nurturing and promoting advancements in 3D printing technology, very few companies have taken the initiative that the European airline manufacturer Airbus has. The aerospace manufacturer started fully immersing itself into the world of additive manufacturing back around 2014, when they equipped their A350 airliner with a titanium 3D printed cabin bracket, and also utilized the first 3D printed spare part on an aircraft being used by Air Transnat. Continue reading Insitu Gets $71M US Navy Blackjack Contract
Insitu Inc., Bingen, Washington, is being awarded a $71,555,347 firm-fixed-price contract for six low-rate initial production Lot V RQ-21A Blackjack unmanned aircraft systems. This contract provides for the procurement of the air vehicles, ground control stations, launch and recovery equipment, shipboard equipment kits, and systems engineering and program management.