“We panned the camera out over the Chesapeake, and there they were, four-and-a-half kilometers away” recalls Aerovel’s Tad McGeer. “It was our first day of demonstrating Flexrotor for the US Coast Guard.” Flexrotor, Aerovel’s exceptional unmanned aircraft, has caught the Coast Guard’s attention with its unique combination of small size, light footprint, VTOL, long endurance, and economy. “They asked us to come to the Potomac so they could see it for themselves.” Continue reading
Close Call with a Chinese Jet Fighter
A close call between a hobby drone and a Chinese jet fighter was captured by the drone’s camera. The encounter occurred over an unspecified city in China. Continue reading
X-56A Crashes During Flight Test
A US Air Force Research Laboratory-sponsored X-56A unmanned air vehicle crashed Nov. 19 at approximately 9:30 Pacific Daylight Time on Rogers Dry Lakebed test range at Edwards AFB, California. The mishap occurred shortly after takeoff.
Texas Air National Guard MQ-1 Predator Reaches 100,000 Flying Hours
Achieving 100,000 flying hours takes years to realize. But for the members of the 147th Reconnaissance Wing, Texas Air National Guard, conquering this incredible feat is just a testament to their hard work and dedication to their mission. Continue reading
RQ-4 Block 30 Global Hawk Sale Approved to Japan
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Japan for RQ-4 Block 30 (I) Global Hawk remotely piloted aircraft and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.2 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on November 19, 2015.
Sukhoi Su-24 Downed by F-16s on Syrian Border
Turkish fighter jets have shot down a Russian warplane near the Syrian border, with conflicting claims over whether the downed aircraft violated Turkish airspace. Continue reading
FAA UAS Registration Task Force Final Report
The UAS Registration Task Force Committee’s Recommendations Final Report (Recommendations) was published as promised on Saturday. The Task Force agreed that it was outside the scope of the Task Force’s objectives to debate or discuss the DOT Secretary’s decision to require registration of sUAS or the legal authority for the implementation of such a mandate. Continue reading
CH- 5 – China’s Biggest UAS on Display
China displayed its latest and biggest military unmanned aircraft at an industry expo that closed in Shenzhen, Guangdong province, on Friday, in an attempt to attract more buyers for its combat drones. Continue reading