Insitu Inc., Bingen, Washington, is being awarded $8,810,938 for firm-fixed-price delivery order 0042 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-12-G-0008) for interim contractor services in support of the RQ-21 Blackjack program.
US Defense Dept wants Cargo Drones for the Pacific
Promoting the development of cargo drones will be the focus of next year’s operational energy capability improvement fund, according to a Defense Department official.
Russian Helicopters Unmanned Tiltrotor Concept
Yak Albatros
Russian Helicopters has expressed new interest in developing tilt-rotor technologies that could be used to design a new family of unmanned and potentially even manned aircraft.
Northwest UAV NW-44 Engine Sets Altitude Records
Northwest UAV has announced the completion of over 100 hours of rigorous flight testing with the NW-44 engine, setting a new altitude record for small normally aspirated unmanned propulsion systems in the process. Continue reading
First Annual Bridger Cup Competition Bozeman, Montana – September 18 and 19
Ascent Vision Technologies and the City of Bozeman have announced the first annual Bridger Cup, a drone competition, exhibition and celebration to be held September 18th and 19th in Bozeman, Montana.
FAA Releases B4UFLY App Beta Test for UAS Users
On Friday August 28t, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released the beta version of a new smartphone application called “B4UFLY” for testing by up to 1,000 unmanned aircraft users.
The B4UFLY app, aimed primarily at model aircraft enthusiasts, is designed to give users information about restrictions or requirements in effect at their current or planned flight location. The FAA expects the beta test will yield valuable data on how well B4UFLY functions, as well as uncovering any software bugs.
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta first announced the initiative in May, asking for volunteers to test the app. The FAA has notified those who previously signed up and will be pushing the app to them directly in the coming days.
Many unmanned aircraft users today have little or no aviation experience, and some of them are flying where they could endanger manned aircraft. B4UFLY will give these flyers the tools and knowledge they need to operate safely. Continue reading
Drone Zone at National Championship Air Races
Building on the success of last year’s challenge, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University will host the second annual small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) Challenge at the National Championship Air Races in Reno, Nev., Sept. 16-20.
Paper Plane Gets 333 Exemption
In a possible sign of how seriously FAA is taking unmanned aircraft operations in national airspace — or maybe just a sign of how absurd matters have gotten — the FAA has approved the first ever toy powered paper airplane to fly commercially in U.S. airspace. Continue reading