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 →