X-56A Technology Demonstrator First Flight

The US Air Force Research Laboratory, in conjunction with Lockheed Martin and NASA, recently took a major step in the development of active aircraft control technologies with the first flight on July 26 of the X-56A Multi-Utility Technology Testbed flight demonstrator, at NASA Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB, California. Continue reading

NASA Cancels RFI for Research And Development Sources for Airworthiness Certification Case Study For Unmanned Aircraft Systems

NASA/Dryden Flight Research Center issued a cancellation notice  of  its Original RFI posted in February 2012, in which it solicited information about potential sources for participation in a case study to draft a type certification basis for the airworthiness of an unmanned aircraft system (UAS). No reason was given for the cancellation. Continue reading

US Government Accountability Office Wants Military to Adopt Open Systems for Unmanned Aircraft Systems

An open systems approach, which includes a modular design and standard interfaces, allows components of a product (like a computer) to be replaced easily. This allows the product to be refreshed with new, improved components made by a variety of suppliers. Designing weapons as open systems offers significant repair, upgrade, and competition benefits that could translate to millions of dollars in savings as the weapons age. Continue reading