Aermatica, a manufacturer of remotely piloted aircraft (RPA), in conjunction with the Italian National Research Council (CNR), has announced the development of a drone specifically designed to detect asbestos in the environment. Continue reading
Royal Navy’s First UAS Squadron
The UK Royal Navy’s first squadron of unmanned aircraft has been formed in Cornwall. The 700X Naval Air Squadron has been established at RNAS Culdrose, Helston, to fly the pilotless aircraft. The Royal Navy said the establishment of the new squadron would pave the way for increased use of similar aircraft in the future.
Skynet Drone Delivery Mailbox
A futuristic mailbox designed in Townsville has made the semi-finals of the inaugural million-dollar Drones for Good prize, an international contest intended to steer drone development towards improving people’s lives. Royal Australian Air Force corporal Clinton Burchat’s ominously named Skynet builds on plans by Amazon and Google to deliver small packages by drone. Continue reading
First WW1 Dogfight
The first dog-fight is believed to have taken place on 28th August 1914, when Lieutenant Norman Spratt, flying a Sopwith Tabloid, forced down a German two-seater. This was an amazing achievement as his Sopwith was not armed. Continue reading
GoPro to Release Consumer UAS Next Year
GoPro Inc. is developing its own line of consumer drones to expand from its core business of making wearable video cameras popular with surfers and other sports enthusiasts, according to people familiar with its plans. Continue reading
Lockheed Updates Unmanned U-2 Concept
Lockheed Martin has crafted a reduced-cost plan to “optionally man” its U-2, throwing a new possibility into the mix as Congress weighs whether to shift to an all-Northrop Grumman Global Hawk unmanned aircraft fleet for high-altitude reconnaissance. With an optionally manned U-2, advocates for the so-called Dragon Lady say the venerable aircraft finally can match the endurance offered by the RQ-4B Global Hawk. Convincing lawmakers and the Pentagon likely will be an uphill battle, though. Continue reading
China’s Holographic Ground Control System
AVIC, China’s top aerospace manufacturer, is finding unexpected but sci-fi inspired ways to push the drone technological envelope. The Holographic Ground Control System (GCS) displays a holographic image of the drone, making it easier for the controller to intuitively understand UAV operations, by fusing together flight parameters, payload monitoring, weapons release and sensor data. The pilot is seated at the cockpit, while other personnel can observe the UAV and its environment on the hologram. Continue reading
UH-Hilo Researchers Map Lava Flow with UAS
Predicting where the June 27 lava flow in Hawaii will go next is a fluid undertaking. In addition to the original topography of the landscape impacted by lava flows, workers with Hawaii County Civil Defense must take into account the changes made to the topography by the hardened lava left on the surface and how that will affect future flows. Continue reading