General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) has announced that a Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper RPA has reached a record 20,000 flight hours on a single aircraft, signifying the highest flight time of any Predator B. The milestone was achieved while performing a 17-hour combat mission in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan on December 23. Continue reading
BASF Develops Simple 3D Sensor
Chemicals giant BASF SE has developed a single-lens passive optical sensor that can measure distance to an object and thereby 3D position detection and 3D imaging. The company hopes to develop the sensor for a broad range of applications from consumer electronics such as cameras and smartphones to automotive, transportation, medical and machine vision and security and surveillance.
Pilots Report Hundreds of Drone Sightings to FAA
Pilots have reported hundreds of drone sightings in the United States, with some of them right here in Chicago, and they’re saying that it’s not safe. Especially at busy airports like O’Hare International Airport. Continue reading
PrecisionHawk’s Low Altitude Tracking and Avoidance System
PrecisionHawk Inc., Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) manufacturer and Aerial Data Processing and Analysis Company, has announced a solution, known as LATAS (Low Altitude Tracking and Avoidance System,) for the safe integration of drones into the National Airspace.
Heron Crash in India
Desert Hawk in Near Miss with RAF Helicopter
The British Army almost brought down a troop-carrying RAF helicopter when one of its own drones flew within 60ft of the giant aircraft, a report found. The £15million Merlin vehicle and metre-long Desert Hawk surveillance drone should have been flying in their own restricted areas. But they came close to crashing during a massive military training exercise, as crews blamed map-reading errors and a dispute over airspace for the near catastrophe. Continue reading
China’s ZH-05 Assault Rifle Can Down UAS
China’s new ZH-05 integrated assault rifle, designed for PLA special forces, can be used against unmanned aerial vehicles when equipped with a canister grenade. Continue reading
Philippines ‘No-fly zone’ for Pope’s Visit includes UAS
The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) issued the notice to airmen (notam) from January 15 to 19 during the visit of Pope Francis a “no fly zone” to include drones. Continue reading



