The U.S. Army successfully fired a Stinger missile from its newest launch platform, at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida on March 23. The missile was fired as part of a demonstration of the Army’s new Indirect Fire Protection Capability Increment 2-Intercept platform’s multi-mission launcher.
Rafael Unveils Drone Dome Anti UAS Defence System
Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems this week unveiled its newest development, the Drone Dome defence system, design to intercept enemy unmanned aerial vehicles. Rafael is also the developer of the Israeli military’s highly successful Iron Dome missile defence system.
US Air Force Amends RPAS Pilots Status
The US Air Force recently approved two initiatives for the remotely piloted aircraft career field. First, eight RPA reconnaissance squadrons will be redesignated as attack squadrons. Second, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III authorized RPA aircrews to log combat time when flying an aircraft within designated hostile airspace, regardless of the aircrew’s physical location.
US Army Wants Drones as Scouts for Ground Vehicles
The US Army is looking to develop an autonomous unmanned aerial system that can act as a kind of scout for ground vehicles, following the road in front of the vehicle at a fairly low altitude while matching the vehicle’s speed, with the ability for ground crew to manually override the UAS controls when necessary. Continue reading
Bringing Aerial Technology to Emergency Providers
European Emergency Number Association (EENA) has announced that it is working with DJI to look for ways to integrate the use of drones into first-response missions. Based in Belgium, EENA is a non-governmental organisation that serves as a discussion platform for emergency services, public authorities and researchers to transfer knowledge and best practice to better serve the needs of the public. Continue reading
Using UAS for Transmission R&D
The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) initiated a concerted effort into the application of unmanned aerial systems (UASs) for transmission research in 2012. The effort has accelerated and grown as UAS have increased in their capability and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations have relaxed. Continue reading
Google Patent for UAV Delivery of Medical Equipment
A new patent awarded to Google outlines a device that can call for a drone to fly in with specific medical equipment. Last year, Google patented the idea of flying drones to medical emergencies with life-saving technology onboard, and now it seems the tech giant has a plan for how we would contact these drones.
Israel May Purchase Loitering Munitions
The IDF is mulling the purchase of a new type of small drone that can hover in the area of a target and then dive down to destroy it with an explosive. During a press event in which the Israel Aerospace Industries showed off some of its unmanned products, an IAI executive said the military is interested in its Rotem drone. Continue reading