Republic Aviation’s P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the “Jug,” was the largest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single reciprocating engine. It was one of the main United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighters of World War II, and served with other Allied air forces. Continue reading
US Dept of Interior & FAA Sign MoA for sUAS Ops
The Department of the Interior (DOI) Office of Aviation Services (OAS) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) recently signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) regarding operation of small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) in Class G airspace. Continue reading
France, Britain to Push Work on Armed UAS at Jan. 31 Summit
British and French defence companies will carry out a two-year study on building armed UAS for their countries’ military, according to an agreement to be signed Jan. 31. The memorandum of understanding to develop a Predator-type UAS is one of several that will be signed at a French-British summit at Brize Norton airbase near Oxford in southern England, French officials said. Continue reading
Michigan State University Tests UAS Mounted Sensors to Monitor Golf Course Turf
Michigan State University officials hope to collaborate with a landscape services company to use unmanned aircraft systems to determine turf health. Researchers are testing if they can determine turf health with an infrared camera mounted on a jogging stroller before buying a UAS to do it from the air. Continue reading
Fin Whale Filmed by Phantom
NOAA whale-watching guidelines suggest that boaters remain 100 yards from whales, but they’re only guidelines. So far, guidelines pertaining to the use of UAS for photography have not been drawn up. But NOAA officials will be discussing this issue in upcoming meetings, an agency spokeswoman said. Continue reading
US Navy Begins RQ-21A Blackjack Testing
The US Navy has begun initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) of the new Insitu-built small unmanned aircraft system, RQ-21A Blackjack, at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California. Continue reading
External Consultation of JARUS Deliverable AMC RPAS.1309
The JARUS deliverable “AMC RPAS.1309” and the associated document “SCOPING PAPER to AMC RPAS.1309” are now available on the JARUS website for external consultation. These documents are the output of more than 3 years of work by a dedicated working group within JARUS. Continue reading
US Customs Unmanned Aircraft Down in Pacific
A U.S. Customs and Border Patrol UAS was purposely crashed into the ocean about 20 miles southwest of San Diego after it developed a mechanical problem, an agency spokesman said Tuesday. The CPB Office of Air and Marine flight crew deliberately crashed the unmanned aircraft about 11:15 p.m. Monday, according to U.S. Customs and Border Patrol spokesman Michael Friel. Continue reading