Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) makes FA-50 fighter jets, supersonic trainer T-50s, which the light attacker was based on, and the Surion utility helicopter at a facility as big as three soccer fields on the country’s southern coastal. Now it seeks to expand its portfolio to accommodate the defence needs of Korea’s armed forces, as well as those of its allies.
Ukrainians Crowdfund ‘People’s Drone’ to Patrol Russian Border
Combine a cash-strapped army and a supportive, tech-savvy population, and something like this was bound to happen: Ukrainians have turned to online crowdfunding to raise money for a “people’s drone” to help the military patrol their country’s borders. Continue reading
Commercial UAS Market – Some Statisics
We received this interesting piece of research from reader Miles Grimshaw that we thought was well worth publishing. Miles is an investor at Thrive Capital (backing OpenGov, Warby Parker, Spotify and more). He has a professional and personal interest in the UAV and related markets e.g., mapping, computer vision. Continue reading
Drone Hobbyists Taking Off in China
Jin Xing is part of a new class of aerial photographers in China who are using civilian drones to snap pictures from the sky. Once seen as just high-tech toys, unmanned aerial vehicles are now part of a budding industry that is as futuristic to Chinese people as Google Glass.
France Keeps Harfang Despite Reaper Purchase
Despite recently acquiring the GA-ASI Reaper from the U.S., the French Air Force has extended the service of its predecessor UAS, the Harfang, until at least the end of 2017. The Harfang UAS consists of IAI Heron 1 UAS that are equipped with a communications and control system designed by Airbus Defence & Space (previously EADS Cassidian) in France. Continue reading
CNN & Georgia Tech to Explore Media UAS Use
Beginning this summer, CNN and Georgia Institute of Technology will embark on a joint research initiative to better understand the opportunities unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) present for media organizations, and to explore the access and safety issues that need to be addressed as part of any new regulatory framework. The project team will be staffed by senior members of CNN’s newsgathering team and researchers at the Georgia Tech Research Institute.
Russian Pizzeria may be Fined for Drone Delivery
A pizzeria in the Russian city of Syktyvkar which launched the first unmanned food delivery in the country may be fined 200,000 rubles (US$6,000) after regional aviation authorities reportedly said the restaurant broke airspace rules. Continue reading
Rafael Unveils Hovering Maoz for Infantry Use
Rafael has released details of a small, hovering tactical intelligence-gathering system that could be supplied to infantry soldiers. The plan is to equip many of the soldiers in an infantry unit with the micro hovering system that will serve as “eyes over the hill”. The “Maoz” is carried in a small canister stowed in the personal gear of an infantry soldier. After mission completion it can be returned to the canister for further use.