Archaeologists in Peru are sending UAS into the skies of the Amazon rainforest and the Andes Mountains to study the pre-Inca ruins that dot the country’s more inaccessible areas. The onboard cameras provide researchers with the “eye in the sky” needed locate ruins without making costly and time-consuming treks to Peru’s remote locales as well as helping these scientists create 3-D models of the sites they’re researching.
UAS Flew Inside Buckingham Palace
A model aircraft enthusiast has turned a passion for flying into the business of his dreams by starting a filming and photography company which specialises in the use of drones. While they may be more familiar to fans of spy dramas, Newdigate resident Ben Sheppard has used the flying cameras to make films for production companies and estate agents, and has even conducted a flight inside Buckingham Palace. Continue reading
Ukrainian Soviet-era Drone Captured by Donetsk Militia
An old Soviet Tu-143 reconnaissance drone allegedly deployed by the Ukrainian army has crashed near Donetsk, with local militia, initially not aware of what that monstrosity was, suspecting in the video to have downed Kiev’s “weapon of mass destruction.”The YouTube video of the downed drone claims the archaic unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was shot down “at approximately 13:30 local time near Shahtersk.” In the video, the representatives of DPR anti-Kiev forces say that the “object will be further identified.” Continue reading
Reapers to Join UK’s Core Equipment Programme
The British Ministry of Defence has confirmed it is to take the Royal Air Force’s fleet of 10 MQ-9 Reapers into its core equipment program following the end of combat operations in Afghanistan.
Brazil Sells UAS to Africa
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