The Chung-Shan Institute of Science and Technology (CSIST) of Taiwan unveiled its new Mini-UAS Unmanned Aircraft System Magic-Eye at TADTE 2013, the Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technolgy Exhibition which was held from 15 to 18 August 2013 in Taipei, Taiwan. Continue reading
Sikorsky Develops Matrix Software for Autonomous Helicopters
Sikorsky’s research department has announced that it is developing software and hardware called Matrix intended to “improve significantly the capability, reliability, and safety” of autonomous VTOL aircraft. Continue reading
Northrop Grumman Announces Progress on German EuroHawk Programme
A Northrop Grumman Corp spokesman said that his company was making “a lot of progress” in talks with the German government about the country’s stalled purchase of four Euro Hawk UAS, and what is needed to certify their airworthiness. Continue reading
Infrared Camera Fits in a Smart Phone
FLIR, a manufacturer of infrared sensors, has married a smartphone to its state-of-the-art thermal camera in a concept it displayed at last week’s Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) expo in Washington, D.C. Continue reading
FAA Updates Unmanned Aircraft Policy Document
The FAA published a policy document N8900.227 as an update to the January 2013 outline of the agency’s plan for reviewing and evaluating the safety and interoperability of proposed unmanned aircraft system (UAS) flight operations conducted within the U. S. National Airspace System (NAS) when assessing applications for a certificate of waiver or authorization. Continue reading
Estonia Considers UAS for Internal Security
The Estonian Ministry of Interior is looking into ways to start using unmanned aircraft systems for different applications by the police and rescue services, providing aerial support in areas where the use of helicopters or aircraft is not possible or feasible. Continue reading
Northrop Grumman Hosted United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) Innovation Challenge Winning Teams at AUVSI
Northrop Grumman Corporation hosted the winning teams from the 2013 United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) Innovation Challenge at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International (AUVSI) annual conference and exhibition. During the conference the student teams exhibited their aircraft and discussed their competition experience. Continue reading
Solara – Five Years in the Sky at 65,000 Feet
Imagine a featherweight aircraft built of composites boasting an enormous 160 foot wing, swathed in solar cells that can take off at 20 mph and remain aloft for five years. The plane would fly at 65,000 feet, above most air traffic aside from the odd U-2 zooming past. It would, without a doubt, be the loneliest plane in history. Continue reading