The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works has revealed plans for a next-generation, high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform that could replace the U-2 and Global Hawk from 2025. The company has launched an internally-funded study of a stealthy jet designated the TR-X that might also carry alternative payloads such as a high-energy laser, or for electronic warfare. Lockheed Martin (LM) believes that a U.S. requirement for the TR-X could emerge within the next 18 months.
US Lags Behind in Commercial Drone Industry
By 2035, the number of unmanned aerial vehicles in operation in the U.S. is expected to surpass the number of manned aircraft in operation. The U.S. commercial drone market could easily be worth $5 billion, according to the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center, and the global commercial market may be several times greater. Continue reading
AgustaWestland Completes UK MoD Rotary Wing Unmanned Aerial System Concept Demonstration
Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland has announced that it has completed the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Rotary Wing Unmanned Aerial System (RWUAS) Capability Concept Demonstration (CCD) contract it was awarded in 2013, including 27 hours of demonstration flying and 22 automatic simulated deck landings using its SW-4 RUAS Solo technology demonstrator. Continue reading
European Parliament Discusses UAS Regulation
MEPs on the European Parliament’s transport committee have signalled support for a resolution urging new EU regulation for civilian drones. Continue reading
Falling Drone Injures 11-Month Girl in Pasadena
A falling drone cut and bruised an 11-month-old girl in a stroller at an event Saturday, according to the Pasadena Police Department. Police said a 24-year-old man lost control of his DJI Inspire 1, a camera-carrying quadcopter costing nearly $3,000, causing it to crash to the ground outside of City Hall during a movie screening.
Drone World Expo – Exclusive Board Member Interviews – Colin Guinn
To find out what inspires their interest in UAS and attracts the Advisory Board Members to support Drone World Expo, we scheduled a series of exclusive interviews. Our eighth interviewee is Colin Guinn, SVP Sales & Marketing at 3D Robotics.
Prior to joining 3DR, Colin Guinn founded the North American branch of DJI, where he served as CEO of North American operations. He worked with DJI to develop the industry’s first stabilized camera platform and later the industry’s first ready-to-fly consumer drone (the Phantom). Before his tenure at DJI, Colin started Build|Design|Print in 2006, which specialized in producing aerial photography, marketing material, and websites for ultra-luxury homebuilders. Continue reading
US Papal Visit Cities are No Drone Zones
As the Papal visit approaches, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reminding residents of and visitors to Washington, DC, New York, and Philadelphia that these cities and the surrounding communities are No Drone Zones from September 22 through September 27, 2015. Continue reading
RIEGL Debuts BathyCopter at Intergeo
On the first day of INTERGEO, RIEGL showcased its latest development in UAS-based laser scanning: the RIEGL BathyCopter. Continue reading