Brazilian company Flight Tech has sold Horus FT-100 mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to an African country, in a first for Brazil. The three UAVs will be delivered late this year to the undisclosed customer, with options for more sales in 2015. The deal includes logistical support.
Ex-Insitu Employee Gets 3 Months Jail
A 49-year-old Kentucky man was sentenced last Thursday by a federal judge in Yakima to three months in prison for selling trade secrets involving drone aircraft. Stephen Martin Ward of Owensboro, Ky., was arrested in November 2011 in Indiana after giving a digital copy of an unmanned aircraft maintenance manual to an undercover agent for $10,000, according to a news release issued by Michael C. Ormsby, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington in Spokane.
Further Flight Testing for Seeker 400 and Hungwe
Denel Dynamics is continuing with flight testing of its Seeker 400 and Hungwe military and civil unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) ahead of serial production.
Italy Considers Hammerhead as Predator Replacement
Italy is evaluating the Piaggio Aero P1HH Hammerhead unmanned air vehicle (UAV) as a likely replacement for its air force’s fleet of GeneralAtomics Aeronautical Systems Predator as from later this decade. The medium-altitude, long-endurance type is being developed by Piaggio as an unmanned variant of its twin-pusher P180 Avanti II business aircraft, but is yet to attract a launch customer. Continue reading
FAA Extends Public Comment Period on UAS Special Rule Exemption
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted a 60-day extension for the public to comment on its interpretation of the Special Rule for Model Aircraft established by Congress as part of the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012 (the Act). The new deadline for comment is September 23, 2014. Continue reading
Can UAS Save Namibia’s Wildlife?
In the span of less than two years, Joe Noci and his wife, Gisela, went from working in the aeronautical drone industry in South Africa to building conservation drones out of their home in Namibia. Their SurVoyeur drones, which the Nocis design and build from scratch, have proven to be effective anti-poaching tools. As a result, Joe now finds himself on the front lines of anti-poaching work in Namibia
UK Sets Out post-2030 Combat Aviation Force Plans
The UK has set out a future combat aviation force structure to meet the country’s post-2030 combat air requirement. In a House of Commons Defence Select Committee (DSC) report published in late July, the UK government sets out a future force structure that includes options for unmanned aircraft, additional buys and upgrades of ordered and current aircraft, as well as a clean-sheet design for a new manned fighter platform.
Arctic Thunder Air Show July 2014
Opening ceremony and U.S. Army Drop with Alaska Joint Forces demo during Arctic Thunder 2014 at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska on July 26, 2014. Continue reading