The US Navy has halted work on what had seemed the Pentagon’s most promising system to help UAS sense and avoid other aircraft. The system, built by ITT Exelis, is “behind schedule” and the Navy has “made a decision to pause on the capability right now,” Navy Captain Jim Hoke, programme manager for the Northrop Grumman Triton said. Continue reading
US Government to Publish Small UAS Rule by Year End
The U.S. government should release a draft regulation governing the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) by the end of the year, federal officials told the Unmanned Systems Conference this week. Continue reading
Northrop Offers Sandshark Trainer on Lease Basis
Northrop Grumman is pitching a new method of UAS pilot training to the Air Force and U.S. Customs and Border Protection based on a business model likely to gain in popularity as the UAS revolution expands into civilian airspace: “fee for service.”
AeroVironment Gets $13.5m US Army Contract for RQ-11B Raven sUAS and Gimballed Payloads
AeroVironment, Inc. has announced that it has received a $13,487,240 order from the United States Army. The order – the final portion of a contract valued at $59.6 million – includes RQ-11B Raven unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), miniature gimballed payloads and initial spares packages, and is funded from the Army’s fiscal 2012 procurement budget.
Miramar Air Show Flying Displays
This video of highlights from the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Air Show 2012 was just posted as a teaser for the next edition this coming October. Continue reading
Sensor Company Adapts Military Products to Civilian Usage
Headwall Photonics in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, specializes in spectral imaging. The sensors it makes can detect — very sharply and from great distance — light wavelength patterns that are imperceptible to the human eye.
Shadow is US Military’s Favourite Unmanned Asset in Afghanistan
Geography rules in eastern Afghanistan. Rugged mountains and rocky plains make it a difficult trek for people, but well-suited for donkeys and UAS. And these days the region has its share of both. Continue reading
MQ-8B Fire Scout Unmanned Helicopter Passes 5,000 Flight Hours in Afghanistan
Since deploying to Afghanistan in 2011, the MQ-8 Fire Scout system has provided real-time airborne surveillance and targeting supporting counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs), provided targeting support and delivered real-time video to military forces on the ground.