US Naval Air Systems Command is set to release a new draft Request for Proposal for its unmanned aerial refuelling tanker to industry later this year. Continue reading
UCLASS Reborn as US Navy Unmanned Tanker
The US Navy’s long-running attempt to field a carrier-based unmanned combat aircraft has taken another turn, morphing from a surveillance and strike aircraft into a reconnaissance and aerial refuelling drone with “limited strike capability”. Continue reading
US Navy Halts Funding for X-47B
As it reconsiders its unmanned aviation strategy, the Navy has decided to cease funding the X-47B bat-winged drone that made aviation history in recent years. The first-ever autonomous unmanned aircraft to be launched from and recovered on a carrier deck, the X-47B, is likely to run out of funding by the end of fiscal year 2016. The Navy has not requested money for the program in its fiscal year 2017 budget. Continue reading
US Forest Service Clarifies Drone Use
In light of the increasing popularity of recreational drones, the U.S. Forest Service has released specific guidelines for recreational unmanned aircraft use over public lands: Continue reading
Spain Contributes to SESAR JU Programme of RPAS Integration into Civil Airspace
The lack of harmonized regulatory framework and the difficulties in the safe integration of RPAS in non-segregated airspace, are hindering the development of these systems, reducing therefore the scope of their applications. In order to acquire expertise on the main topics of this integration, the SESAR JU launched in 2013 a call for demonstration activities and the project DEMORPAS was one out of nine selected.
Boeing’s Reversible Fuel Cell-based Energy Storage System
After 16 months of development, Boeing has delivered a fuel cell energy storage system to the U.S. Navy for testing. The cell is being tested to determine its ability to support the energy needs of military and commercial customers.
UAS Project to Increase Snowpack in Nevada Mountains
A new industry-academic research partnership will bring together Nevada’s top atmospheric scientists and leading unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) engineers, designers, and data experts to develop and test innovative applications focused on increasing snowpack depths in the Lake Tahoe region.
Bristol Blenheim Flypasts
This is some older archive film of the restored Bristol Blenheim in night fighter scheme performing some flybys at Duxford. Continue reading