3D Robotics gave a sneak preview of a semi-pro UAS at an unmanned aircraft convention in San Francisco last week. The company’s new quadcopter, or four-rotor helicopter, can be controlled from a tablet running an Android flight system or other similar app. Continue reading
Improved Gray Eagle Completes Initial Flight Test
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has announced the successful first flight of the U.S. Army’s Improved Gray Eagle (IGE), a next-generation derivative of the combat-proven Block 1 Gray Eagle Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) that has accumulated over 70,000 flight hours since 2008. The flight occurred today at the company’s El Mirage Flight Operations Facility in Palmdale, California.
AeroVironment’s Puma AE sUAS Receives Federal Aviation Administration Restricted Category Type Certificate for Commercial Use
AeroVironment, Inc. announced that on July 19, 2013 it received a “Restricted Category” rating for its Puma AE small unmanned aircraft system from the Federal Aviation Administration. The first-of-its-kind certificate permits operators to fly Puma for commercial missions, such as oil spill monitoring and ocean surveys, in the North Slope region of the Arctic. Continue reading
China Grounds Cake Deliveries by UAS
Chinese authorities have had their way – the UAS transporting cakes for romantic couples has been grounded. Continue reading
Reaper Damaged During Training Flight at Cannon Air Force Base
An MQ-9 Reaper, was damaged during a routine training flight Tuesday at Cannon Air Force Base, according to the base’s public affairs office. Continue reading
Indian Army Mistook Venus and Jupiter for Chinese Spy UAS
The Indian Army mistook Jupiter and Venus as unidentified flying intruders making nocturnal sorties from China into the skies above eastern Ladakh for over six months until astronomers brought their fears to ground, it has been disclosed. Continue reading
DARPA Wants Underwater Launch Vessel for Unmanned Systems
The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is hoping to develop a new unmanned submersible carrier vehicle called Hydra that would be able to launch small unmanned aircraft from underwater. The design would also be able to act as a carrier vehicle for releasing unmanned surface and underwater vehicles.
Man Behind Highway Drone Signs Steps Forward
Napa artist Stephen Whisler says he is the person who put up signs last week on Highway 101 and Highway 37 in Marin reading “Speed Enforced By Drones,” complete with a missile firing from the craft. Continue reading