Two flights in February with a Senior Year Electro-Optical Reconnaissance System (SYERS)-2 intelligence gathering sensor strapped to a Block 30 Global Hawk were the first demonstrations by Northrop Grumman of its Universal Payload Adapter – a move toward creating one fleet of the unmanned aircraft to carry any sensor the US Air Force needs.
Shark Hunting UAVs in Australia
High-Tech UAVs developed by Australia’s first astronaut and a philanthropist whose friend was killed by a shark are to patrol NSW’s coast, spotting great whites and other man-eaters. Continue reading
Fifty UAVs Guard Russian Nuclear Missile Assets
Around 50 unmanned aerial vehicles are protecting the assets of Russia’s Strategic Missile Forces (SMF), responsible for the country’s nuclear arsenal, according to the Russian defense ministry.
FAA Considers Risk-Based Approach for Micro UAVs
The US Federal Aviation Administration is exploring the introduction of new regulations for micro-unmanned aerial vehicle operations, which could potentially move away from weight classifications, similar to rules being proposed in Europe.
Facebook to Test Internet UAV this Year
Facebook will begin test flights of its solar-powered Internet UAV later this year, according to CEO Mark Zuckerberg. The Aquila aircraft has the wingspan of a Boeing 737 but weighs about the same as a car. Its wings are covered in solar panels that provide enough energy to keep it aloft for three to six months at an altitude of 60,000 to 90,000 feet, well above aircraft. Continue reading
French Air Force Explores Fuel Cell Technology
EnergyOr Technologies Inc., a leader in advanced PEM fuel cell systems for aerospace applications, recently signed a Joint Development Agreement (JDA) with the French Air Force’s Centre d’ Expertise Aérienne Militaire (CEAM). This JDA will serve as the foundation to advance development of optimized long endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platforms powered by EnergyOr’s fuel cell system technology.
DronePro Announces Multiple Strategic Partnerships
DronePro, LLC, a provider of high tech aerial drone inspection services based out of Houston, Texas, has announced several new partnerships since obtaining its 333 exemption. These strategic partners include; Helix Energy, Versa Integrity, Reel Group and Offshore Energy Services. Continue reading
Predator B Extended Range First Flight with Long Wings
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has announced the successful first flight of Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper Extended Range (ER) Long Wing, retrofitted with improved long-endurance wings with greater internal fuel capacity and additional hard points for carrying external stores. The flight occurred on February 18 at GA-ASI’s Gray Butte Flight Test Facility in Palmdale, Calif., on a test aircraft.