Researchers at Vancouver’s Simon Frasier University have developed a fleet of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) that accept group voice commands or can be controlled silently through hand gestures. In addition, individualUAS recognize which of them their controller is speaking to via on-board face recognition cameras. Continue reading
FAA Explains How National Airspace System (NAS) Works – Video
Source: YouTube
DARPA Wants XS-1 Unmanned Hypersonic Space Plane to Deploy Satellites
U.S. military researchers are asking industry to begin work on developing a reusable hypersonic unmanned spacecraft able to carry and deploy 3,000-to-5,000-pound satellites to low-Earth orbit (LEO) for less than $5 million per launch. Continue reading
Guards Claim UAS Drug Drops Common at Quebec Jails
Guards at the Gatineau, Quebec, jail want tighter security after a small UAS — potentially dropping off drugs to inmates — flew over the walls on Sunday. Continue reading
New Wave Energy wants to put power plants in the sky
UK-based New Wave Energy plans to build the first high altitude aerial power plant, using networks of unmanned aircraft that can harvest energy from multiple sources and transmit it wirelessly to receiving stations on the ground.
Former Israel Air Chief Foresees Dogfighting UAS
Unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have already superseded patrol and reconnaissance aircraft and are rendering gunships obsolete. But until they engage enemies in the air, it’s premature to speak about the end of manned platforms, according to a former Israel Air Force commander. Continue reading
General Atomics and US Air Force Partner on UAS Maintenance
The Air Force Sustainment Center and General Atomics have reached an enterprise-level, public-private partnership agreement which allows the two organizations to partner in the maintenance of unmanned aircraft systems, including the Predator/Reaper and the Army’s version of the aircraft, the Gray Eagle.
HexaCopter Used to Smuggle Contraband into Prison
Trying to get contraband into a prison is nothing new, but there is a new method. This week, some creative crooks tried to get tobacco to South Georgia prisoners by using a remote controlled helicopter, but they didn’t get away with it.