US Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air System Programme Gets New Leader

NavairThe Department of the Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air System Program Office welcomed a new leader during a change of command ceremony at Patuxent River on Oct. 17 where Navy Capt. Beau Duarte replaced Capt. Jaime Engdahl as PMA-268’s programme manager.More than 300 guests attended the ceremony at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md.’s Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 hangar. Continue reading

Aerovel’s Long-Range Flexrotor Operates Autonomously from Unmanned Boat

In what are believed to be the first-ever flight cycles of an unmanned aircraft based on an unmanned boat, Flexrotor launches from a remotely-controlled skiff while underway, climbs out as a helicopter, transitions to wing-borne flight, images the skiff while flying at low and high speeds, transitions back to thrust-borne flight, and retrieves autonomously onboard. Continue reading