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
Boeing’s Phantom Eye Upgraded to Experimental Status by US Air Force
Boeing’s Phantom Eye was promoted to experimental status by the U.S. Air Force 412th Operations Group based on the recommendation of officials at NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center. The liquid hydrogen-fuelled, high altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) is a prodigy of sorts, having earned experimental status after completing just six successful test flights. Continue reading
18 Year Old in Nancy, France, Prosecuted for UAS Video on YouTube
A Court in Nancy is prosecuting a young man because he filmed the city with a UAS . The video was posted on YouTube and has been viewed more than 400,000 times. The authorities became interested and he is now being sued for “endangering the lives of others”. Continue reading
Israel Overtakes American UAS Exports
U.S. manufacturers including General Atomics, which makes the Predator, can only sell to a few countries because of tight export restrictions. The controls give rival UAS makers from countries such as Israel and China a chance to win more business in the growing global market for unmanned aircraft systems, which one group forecasts to more than double in the next decade. Continue reading
Spain Transfers Target Drone Technology to Brazil
Spain’s National Institute for Aerospace Technology has agreed on the transfer of technology to Brazil for the production of Diana target drones. The agreement was signed with Brazilian company Equipaer Ind Aeronáutica and includes the delivery of two aircraft and remote control mechanisms, a statement of the Defence Ministry’s institution said. Continue reading
ATC Ready for UAS Integration – Sense and Avoid Is Not
Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) in the United States are responsible for around 7,000 aircraft in the National Airspace System (NAS) at any given time. At the current rate of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) integration into civil airspace, can ATC be ready to manage pilot-free aircraft flying in the same airspace as major commercial airlines, business jets and helicopters? Continue reading
UAV Factory Announces EFI Engine Upgrade
UAV Factory has released an EFI engine upgrade for the Penguin B platform. The upgrade includes the addition of a temperature control system for the cylinder head, a silent muffler, a new fuel injector map as well as a new air intake assembly. The upgrade extends the operational limits of the engine, reduces fuel consumption and improves reliability of the system. Continue reading