U.S. military experience has shown that rugged terrain and threats such as ambushes and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) can make ground-based transportation to and from the front lines a dangerous challenge. Combat outposts require on average 100,000 pounds of material a week, and high elevation and impassable mountain roads often restrict access. Helicopters are one solution, but the supply of available helicopters can’t meet the demand for their services, which cover diverse operational needs including resupply, tactical insertion and extraction, and casualty evacuation. Continue reading
UAE Plans to Use Delivery UAS Within a Year
The United Arab Emirates has revealed a plan to begin using delivery UAS to transport important documents and small packages within the desert kingdom. While the initial deliveries will be limited mostly to government document delivery, such as drivers licenses and building permits, eventually quadcopters could deliver larger, commercial packages straight to homes and businesses. Continue reading
MQ-9 Reaper Extended-Range Variant First Flight
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ MQ-9 Reaper extended-range variant took to the skies for the first time on Feb. 12, company spokeswoman Kimberly Kasitz told the Daily Report. This configuration features two external fuel pods to increase the remotely piloted aircraft’s endurance. Continue reading
UAS in Precision Agriculture – Video Report Part 1/3
Agriculture.com’s Advanced Technology editor, Laurie Bedord investigates the latest in unmanned aerial systems, and how farmers can add them to their precision solutions. Continue reading
3D Printed Smart Phone-Controlled UAS for $2,000
Once, and not so long ago, the armed forces had all the best toys. America’s information-technology industry was powered by military budgets, and consumer electronics fed on the scraps. Now, the roles are being reversed. And there are few better illustrations of that reversal than an unmanned aircraft called Razor. Continue reading
Guardian, Heron and Hermes 900 Compete for Canada’s Arctic Mission
Canada’s military wants its next unmanned aircraft system to be capable of dropping search-and-rescue supplies in the Arctic and in other areas as it looks to expand UAS roles into activities formerly conducted by manned platforms. Canada plans to spend between CAN $1 billion (US $998 million) and $1.5 billion on a new fleet of UAS. Continue reading
Poland Abandons Decision to Replace Strike Fighters by UAS
Warsaw is backtracking on its decision to withdraw 32 Sukhoi Su-22 strike fighters from service by 2015, and replace them with armed unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). Defence Minister Tomasz Siemoniak confirmed recently that the 32 Sukhoi-22s stationed at Swidwin will remain in service for at least 3 years, or even 10. Continue reading
Central Michigan University Acquires UAS to Help with Wetland Research
For professor Benjamin Heumann, and a group consisting of professors, graduate students and undergraduates, Central Michigan University’s new, 6-foot long, unmanned helicopter will help their wetlands research in ways they never thought possible. Continue reading