Speaking today at the AUVSI annual conference in New Orleans, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta announced the agency is establishing a broad-based advisory committee that will provide advice on key unmanned aircraft integration issues. He also announced plans to make it easier for students to fly unmanned aircraft as part of their coursework. Continue reading
US Government Orders DroneDefender System
Battelle has updated and booked US government orders for its DroneDefender system designed to stop unmanned aerial systems (UAS) that could threaten civilian or military aircraft.
Texas Parks & Wildlife Test UAS Survey of Seagrasses
Aerial images from a drone are being evaluated as a method to survey seagrasses scarred by boat propellers. Texas Parks & Wildlife Department has partnered with Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to determine if using unmanned aircraft systems is as effective as using planes.
US Army NIE Tests Counter-Drone Prototype
A prototype to counter unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) using capabilities already in the Army inventory is now being put to the test at the service’s Network Integration Evaluation (NIE). Continue reading
Multi-Fuel UAV Engine Completes FAR 33 Test
Northwest UAV announces the successful completion of the rigorous FAR 33 Endurance Test on the NW-44 Multi-Fuel UAV propulsion system. The NW-44 testing was executed under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with oversight by the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Endurance testing was completed March 19, 2016, following stringent 14CFR Part 33.49 guidelines.
AeroVironment Begins Production of Switchblade Upgrade
At the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit AeroVironment, Inc. announced it has developed a block upgrade, designated Block 10C, to its already fielded Switchblade Tactical Missile system. The Digital Data Link (DDL) incorporated into Block 10C provides a stable and secure encrypted communication link that enables more efficient use of existing frequency bands and significantly reduces the likelihood of signal interception. Frequency efficiency and secure communications are critical to warfighters in today’s complex operational environment.
Arcturus T-20 JUMP Deployed with the Mexican Navy
Arcturus UAV reports that the Mexican Navy has deployed their T-20 JUMP Fixed Wing VTOL UAV for unspecified operations in Mexico. The customer took delivery of the VTOL system in March.
ScanEagle in Natural Gas BVLOS Operations
Insitu Pacific has announced that after 18 months of successful trials, natural gas company Queensland Gas Company (QGC), a Shell-owned business, is introducing the ScanEagle Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) to inspect gas wells, pipelines and processing facilities.