Google on Sept. 12 filed a request with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) asking permission to access two frequency blocks for tests lasting six months. Scheduled to start on Oct. 6, the tests will be carried out above an area spanning over 1,400 square kilometers east of Albuquerque in the heart of New Mexico.
Richard Branson Invests in 3D Robotics
Billionaire entrepreneur and Virgin Group founder Richard Branson just made it official on Monday that he became the latest investor in 3D Robotics, a commercial drone company founded by ex-Wired Magazine chief editor Chris Anderson. Continue reading
Singapore Bans UAS Flights Near Formula 1 Grand Prix
There will be restrictions on the flying of unmanned aircraft during the Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) said on Tuesday (Sep 16). Continue reading
$354 M USAF Contract for 3 RQ-4 Global Hawks
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman a $354 million primarily firm-fixed-price contract to expand their RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system (UAS) fleet by three aircraft. Continue reading
Orbital Delivers First ScanEagle Engine to Insitu
Orbital Corporation Limited (Orbital) has delivered the first purpose-built ScanEagle Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) propulsion system to Insitu Inc, a subsidiary of The Boeing Company, for in-house testing and development. Designed specifically for Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) class UAVs, it is the first reciprocating internal combustion propulsion system to be engineered from the ground up for unmanned aerospace application. Continue reading
Boeing to Assist Sky-Watch on Danish UAV Project
First Unmanned QF-16 Viper Downed Over Gulf of Mexico
The US Air Force’s newest aerial target took a major step toward preparing warfighters downrange with a realistic 4th generation replication of what they may face on the battlefield. The first unmanned QF-16 Viper struck down over the Gulf of Mexico Sept. 5 was part of a joint effort between the Test and Training Division at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron at Tyndall.
Russian Navy May Get VTOL UAS
Research and development company Radar MMS is waiting for the Russian Navy to place orders for its Breeze, a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned flying radar. Continue reading