In the wake of the fatal downing of an airliner over occupied Ukraine on 17 July, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe has issued an urgent solicitation to acquire an unmanned air vehicle capability to monitor the area.
Aermatica Receives First Italian Authorization to Conducty a Crtitical RPAS Operation
Italian company Aermatica, using its Anteos RPA has received the first authorization to conduct a critical operation in Italy. This authorization was issued in accordance with the Regulations on Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS) brought out by ENAC, the Italian Civil Aviation Authority (2004.01)
Thales to Lease Out Watchkeeper
As part of a plan to lease and rent sensor capabilities to military and civilian customers, Thales has said it would consider leasing out the Watchkeeper UAS.
CAA Issues Notice of Future Requirement for a Safety Case Assessment for sUAS
The UK Civil Aviation Authority has issued an Information Notice to inform operators of civil Small Unmanned Aircraft (SUA) and Small Unmanned Surveillance Aircraft (SUSA) within the weight category 7 – 20 kg that there will be a future need for their aircraft to be assessed for airworthiness in relation to operating within 150 m of a congested area.
FAA Investigates UAS Near Miss with Helicopter in Cleveland
The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating an incident in which a quadcopter flew within a short distance of a helicopter in the skies near Cleveland. Continue reading
Predator B ER Conducts First Long-Range Endurance Flight
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) has announced the successful second endurance flight of its Predator B Extended Range (ER) RPA, an advanced derivative of the mission-proven Predator B RPA that has accumulated over 800,000 flight hours since 2001. The flight launched on June 17 and landed on June 18. Continue reading
FAA Issues Statement on Texas Equusearch UAS Court Decision
The court’s decision in favour of the FAA regarding the Texas Equusearch matter has no bearing on the FAA’s authority to regulate UAS. The FAA remains legally responsible for the safety of the national airspace system. This authority is designed to protect users of the airspace as well as people and property on the ground. Continue reading
Lycoming Engines Sees New Markets In UAS
Textron’s Lycoming Engines division has found new markets for its man-rated piston engines in the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) segment. For Lycoming, which is celebrating its 85th year manufacturing aircraft engines, its participation in current UAS developments isn’t the company’s first foray into providing engines for unmanned aircraft.