French Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian wrote an article for Les Echos on May 31, stating his commitment to buy 2 MQ-9 Reaper UAS from the USA, for delivery before the end of 2013. After so much procrastination, with only 2 Harfangs operational, and with pressing commitments in Mali and elsewhere, he says that France must take the immediately available choice. Continue reading
Brain-Computer Interface Technology to Control UAS
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In a gymnasium in Minnesota, a small quadrocoptor flies effortlessly through hoops. But look for its pilot, and it’s not obvious who it is, because it’s being flown by someone’s brain. Continue reading
RAF Typhoon Flying Display at Royal International Air Tattoo 2012
This is the 2012 Ofiicial Royal Air Force Typhoon Display flown by Squadron Leader Scott Loughran. Continue reading
Robo Raven Reproduces Bird Aerobatics
This video demonstrates a new robotic bird, “Robo Raven,” whose wings flap completely independently of each other, and also can be programmed to perform any desired motion, enabling the bird to perform aerobatic manoeuvres. Continue reading
General Dynamics Mediaware Teams with Sentient to Enhance Situational Awareness from Airborne Surveillance
General Dynamics Mediaware and Sentient Vision Systems Pty Ltd. have created a technical partnership which combines Sentient’s Kestrel Land and Maritime target-detection software with General Dynamics Mediaware’s D-VEX next-generation tactical video-exploitation system. Continue reading
Georgia Tech Researches Sense-and-Avoid
It looks like a hobbyist’s model of a single engine Piper Cub, with a four-stroke engine and an eight-foot wingspan. But researchers at Georgia Tech have loaded its cockpit with an autopilot and no small measure of artificial intelligence. Continue reading
Russia to Develop Stealth UCAV
RAC MiG has signed a research and development contract to build an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) based on its previous Skat design, first unveiled in 2007. Continue reading
US Navy Unmanned Air Takes Off
May has been marked by a number of significant events taking place across US Navy unmanned aircraft programmes big and small. Continue reading