Australia is set to become only the second nation in the world to operate unmanned helicopters from navy warships. Future Royal Australian Navy vessels will almost certainly be equipped with both manned and remote unmanned choppers that will reduce risk and cost.
UND’s Decision on UAS Engineering Research Postponed
A UND committee is holding off on approving an unmanned aircraft systems research project that would explore the potential for evaluating engineering projects from the air in Walsh County. Continue reading
Feinstein Bill on Collision Avoidance Software
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) has introduced legislation to require commercial drones to be equipped with collision avoidance software in an effort to prevent mid-air crashes between the devices and airplanes carrying passengers.
Feinstein said the measure, which has been dubbed the Consumer Drone Safety Act, is necessary because of the high number of near collisions that are reported by pilots to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“If we don’t act now, it’s only a matter of time before we have a tragedy on our hands,” Feinstein said in a statement about the introduction of the legislation. Continue reading
Lifeguards Use UAS to Monitor Coastline Sharks
The recent shark attacks in North Carolina that left two swimmers missing limbs have many beach-goers a little nervous. A California beach lifeguard unit is taking to the sky to watch for sharks and keep swimmers safe, using quad-copters.
Indecision Renders European MALE UAV Impotent
Continuing indecision by the governments of France, Germany and Italy over what type of Medium-Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial system (UAS) should be built by Europe is holding up signature of the long-awaited project definition (PD) contract. Continue reading
Drones Survey Mount Hakone Amid Volcanic Alert
The prefectural government of Kanagawa has used drones to survey a no-go zone in the Owakudani hot spring district on Mount Hakone, where a level 2 volcanic alert has been in place. Continue reading
AutoGyro Eagle and Calidus Gyrocopyer Display
This video highlights a couple of flight handling displays by the AutoGyro Eagle and Calidus. Continue reading
F-35B Jet Makes First Ski-Jump Launch
The F-35B Lightning II has successfully completed another major milestone as the fifth generation stealth fighter was launched into the skies from a ski-jump, Friday 19 June. Continue reading