The US Army is field testing more than a dozen hand-launched ArrowLite unmanned air vehicles manufactured by Israel Aerospace Industries, which has long sought a foothold in the US military unmanned air systems (UAS) market.
Formic Acid Reformer-Based Fuel Cells for UAS
Neah Power Systems, Inc. will be partnering with Silent Falcon UAS Technologies (‘Silent Falcon’) to integrate the formic acid reformer (Formira™) based fuel cell technology into the Silent Falcon UAV. The fuel cell could significantly increase the mission endurance by between two times to three times the current duration, as well as enable heavier payloads. Formic acid is a safe, energy dense fuel, allowing easy handling, distribution, and refueling in remote locations worldwide, unlike compressed hydrogen.
$4M Funding for Research on UAS Crop Surveillance
The Canadian Federal Government announced Tuesday that they are financially backing a new defence and aerospace innovation programme at UBC Okanagan. Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, Michelle Rempel, was on hand to announce the $3.8 million in funding to support the establishment of the Survive and Thrive Applied Research Facility (STAR). Continue reading
3D-Printed UAV with Ducted Fan Motors
A Boeing-assisted team at the University of Sheffield’s Advanced Manufacturing Research Center has developed a blended-wing UAV featuring integrated electric ducted fan motors built with modular components made largely via Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). This is the type of 3D printing in which successive layers of molten plastic are extruded one on top of another, to build up complete objects. Continue reading
Red Bull Air Race – Las Vegas Qualifying Rounds
Canada’s Pete McLeod upset the Red Bull Air Race World Championship leaders in Qualifying on Saturday in Las Vegas to win pole position for Sunday’s race. McLeod turned in a flawless performance under bright sunshine and temperatures above 30 degrees to win Qualifying in the world’s fastest motorsport series for the fourth time this season and the 30-year-old Canadian, still searching for his first career win, hopes that the luck of Las Vegas will finally be on his side in Sunday’s race. McLeod’s time was 49.588 seconds with Lamb in 49.734 and Dolderer on 50.016. Continue reading
Predator/Gray Eagle Series Exceeds 3 Million Flight Hours
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has announced that its Predator/Gray Eagle-series aircraft family has achieved a historic company and industry milestone: three million flight hours – which is the equivalent of flying over 340 years, around-the-clock, every day. The milestone occurred on October 2, with nearly 222,000 total missions completed and almost 90-percent of all missions flown in combat.
Flag-Flying DJI Phantom Causes Riot at Football Match
An international soccer match between Serbia and Albania has been abandoned after banned fans flew a drone carrying an Albanian flag over the pitch – and sparked a riot among players and the crowd. Continue reading
ARES Gets US Navy Flight Clearance
SHIELD Aviation, Inc. has announced the granting of a Category 3 Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Interim Flight Clearance (IFC) for the ARES Block C UAS by Naval Air System Command (NAVAIR) Patuxent River MD AIR – 4.0P. The ARES UAS IFC supports Navy public aircraft operations of ARES Block C UAS within restricted and warning areas of the U.S. National airspace.