The North American Aerospace Defense Command’s NORAD Tracks Santa Program exceeded its own records in the number of calls, emails and social media followers this year. Continue reading
US Army Zaps Drones with New Laser System
The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command for the first time used a vehicle mounted high energy laser to successfully engage more than 90 mortar rounds and several unmanned aircraft systems in flight. Continue reading
International student Team to Build Anti-Rhino-Poaching UAS in South Africa
An international student team (Team AREND) is collaborating to compete in the Wildlife Conservation UAV Challenge – to design, build & fly an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) to support anti-poaching operations in South Africa. Continue reading
NASA’s New Robotic Challenge to Explore UAS Airspace Operations
Teams of aerospace researchers across the USA are signing up to compete for $500,000 in prize money by demonstrating the ability to fly unmanned aircraft through an airspace obstacle course. Continue reading
US Defense Department Releases New Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap
Strategy and budget realities are two aspects of the US Defense Department’s new Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap, released on Tuesday. The report to Congress is an attempt to chart how unmanned systems fit into the defence of the nation.
Madrid Tests UAS for City Surveillance
Madrid City Hall is testing a UAS with plans to watching the city from the air. The aim is for them to be used by the emergency services, and a municipal spokesperson has said they have tested them several times, including in September, during an event organised to celebrate if Madrid was chosen to hold the 2020 Olympic Games. Continue reading
First UAS for Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe aviation company Swiss Jet has acquired two unmanned aircrafts systems (UAS). The technology is rare in Africa and is still in its inception stage in some developed countries. Continue reading
Marques Aviation Announces Ma Thor Twin Tail Boom UAS
Marques Aviation in the UK has launched the MA THOR Twin, a versatile aircraft to be used in commercial and military missions as diverse as remote sensing and mapping, land and maritime border patrol, sea and land search and rescue, long endurance persistent surveillance, monitoring of oil and gas installations and pipelines, inspection of natural disasters, ecological work, firefighting, and many others. Continue reading

