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.
Northrop Grumman Gets $63M US Navy X-47B Development Contract
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is being awarded a $63,070,969 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for the Phase II continuation of post-demonstration activities in support of the Navy Unmanned Combat Air System programme.
Drones – Film Review
“Drones” is a middling real-time thriller that chronicles a fictive crisis for two Air Force personnel, who find themselves at loggerheads when they spot an apparent terrorist thousands of miles away on surveillance video.
Abu Dhabi Uses ‘Conservation Drones’ to Monitor and Protect Flamingos
EAD, the Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi, has adopted the use of Conservation Drones, as part of its continuous effort to implement the latest efficient technologies, to further assess and monitor the flamingo population at Al Wathba Wetland Reserve. Continue reading
Boeing to Fly Unmanned MD 500 Demonstrator for South Korea
Boeing has begun work converting a single MD 500 Little Bird observation helicopter into an unmanned demonstrator platform for the Republic of Korea, with the goal of a first flight before the end of the year.