General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has announced its notification of Spain’s selection of the Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper RPA system to support the nation’s airborne surveillance and reconnaissance requirements. Continue reading
Airbus Helicopters and Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore Sign MoU for UAS Experimentation Project
Airbus Helicopters (Airbus) and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to conduct Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Proof-of-Concept Trials, named the Skyways Project, in Singapore. Continue reading
Powervision Launches Flying Egg
Powervision Robot Inc., headquartered in Beijing, announced its first consumer drone, the “PowerEgg”. The PowerEgg features an innovative egg shape which, in addition to being aesthetically different than the many X-shape four-axis drones currently on the market, makes it foldable and easy to transport. The lightweight PowerEgg can be easily folded and carried in a backpack and will be available in early Q2 of 2016.
US Navy Set to Debut Enhanced MQ-8B Fire Scout
The US Navy (USN) is nearly ready to commence deployment of a radar-equipped Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical take-off and landing unmanned aerial system (UAS) aboard the Littoral Combat Ship USS Coronado (LCS 4) from June 2016. Continue reading
Australian Researchers Navigate with Drones in Antarctica
Flying drones in Antarctica is not easy. A 100-110 degree difference between true and magnetic north at this location complicates navigation. There’s zero terrain protection against the strong headwinds that cut through like a knife, there’s snow, and drone batteries discharge quickly in the freezing conditions.
Future of Ku-band for RPAS Supported at WRC-15
With exponential growth forecast worldwide for Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), the commercial satellite industry convinced delegates to the recent World Radiocommunication Conference (WRC-15) that more spectrum was needed in this vital area.
MQ-4C Triton Completes Operational Assessment
The MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft system built for the U.S. Navy by Northrop Grumman Corporation has successfully completed Operational Assessment (OA). Pending final data analysis, the completion of this milestone signals the maturity of the system and paves the way for a positive Milestone C decision. Milestone C will transition Triton into low rate initial production.
DARPA’s FLA Program Takes Flight at 45 MPH
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently tested quad-copters loaded with sensors and cameras at an old hangar set up as a warehouse at Otis Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts. The effort marked a first flight test for DARPA’s Fast Lightweight Autonomy program, which is probing how to develop algorithms that could reduce the amount of human intervention needed to fly small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) through a congested urban environment. Continue reading