AeroVironment, Inc. announced that it has been awarded a firm-fixed-price contract from the United States Army totalling $18,485,495 to supply initial RQ-11B Raven unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), spare parts and contractor logistics services to seven allied nations through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme.
UAS for Animal Distribution Studies Research
A team led by the Doñana Biological Station, Spanish National Research Council (DBS, CSIC) has used Unmanned Aircraft Systems to model the spatial distribution of free-ranging cattle in Doñana National Park, Spain.
Monitoring the Oil Patch by UAS
At a South Texas ranch, a drone mounted with cameras flew above and around a flare stack that burned natural gas. Live, high-definition images were transmitted back to the ground, where company officials watched video of the flare stack as it was operating, asking that the drone move this way or that to get a better image or different angle.
Icarus – DARPA’s Vanishing Air Vehicles Programme
It sounds like an engineering fantasy, or maybe an episode from Mission Impossible: A flock of small, single-use, unpowered delivery vehicles dropped from an aircraft, each of which literally vanishes after landing and delivering food or medical supplies to an isolated village during an epidemic or disaster. And it would be nothing more than a fantasy, were it not that the principle behind disappearing materials has already been proven. Continue reading
Lockheed Martin Begins Manufacturing Modular Laser for US Army
Lockheed Martin begins production of a new generation of modular high power lasers this month. The first laser built using the modular technique will be a 60-kilowatt system for a U.S. Army vehicle.
Danish Government Supports Fishing UAS Programme
The Danish Environment and Food Ministry is contributing 1.7 million kroner to a project in which water and airborne drones will be used to find shoals of fish with the aim of improving business for fishermen and reducing the environmental impact of the industry. Continue reading
Finland Introduces Liberal Aviation Regulations
Finland has introduced one of the most liberal aviation regulations in the world as regards the use of unmanned aircraft and flying models. The level of regulation depends on how the device is used. The requirements for model aircraft used for recreational purposes are significantly lighter than those for remotely piloted aircraft used professionally. On the other hand, professional operators may legally carry out such tasks that are not allowed for recreational flyers. Continue reading
Protector will be MQ-9 Reaper Derivative
The UK Ministry of Defence has confirmed that the unmanned air vehicle that it plans to acquire under its recently-announced Protector effort will be a derivative of the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper that the Royal Air Force operates. Continue reading