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.
Sikorsky Completes DARPA ALIAS Phase 1 Autonomous Flight
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, has successfully demonstrated a 30-mile autonomous flight using a Sikorsky S-76 commercial helicopter to complete Phase 1 of an $8 million award from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)’s Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) Continue reading
World’s First Electric VTOL Personal Flight Vehicle
The European Space Agency (ESA) is backing a German startup working to develop the world’s first vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) personal flight jet aircraft for consumers.
Aeronautics to Launch Orbiter 4
Aeronautics LTD announced that it will soon launch a new Unmanned Aerial System platform – Orbiter 4. The development of the Orbiter 4 has recently reached its final steps, and the new platform is expected to be fully introduced and launched toward the end of 2016.
UK Start-Up Offers Airspace Alerts for Drone Operators
UK tech startup Altitude Angel is a drone cloud services company offering enhanced situational awareness information, real-time ‘air traffic control for drones’, as well as plug-in geofencing data targeted at manufacturers and developers. It has now unveiled a global airspace monitoring system that promises to help drone operators fly more safely and responsibly – Airspace Alerts.