On 2 October 2012, the creation of ASSORPAS (Associazione Italiana per I Light RPAS), the new Italian national association for Light RPAS (MTOM <150 kg), was formally announced. Continue reading
Smart Robotics Help UAS Think for Themselves
Chengyu Cao sees a day in the not-so-distant future when intelligent robots will be working alongside humans on a wide range of important tasks from advancing science, to performing deep sea rescues, to monitoring our natural habitats. Continue reading
Dummy Missing Bushwalker Located in 40 Minutes in Australia’s Outback Rescue Challenge
The Outback Rescue Challenge, a competition for developers of unmanned aircraft systems, was held at Kingaroy in Queensland from Monday to Wednesday. An unmanned aircraft was able to find a dummy of a missing bushwalker with no human intervention in what CSIRO believes is a world-first for a non-military UAS. Continue reading
US Navy Wants Smartphones to Steer Unmanned Rotorcraft on the Battlefield
The Office of Naval Research (ONR) awarded contracts to Lockheed Martin and Aurora Flight Sciences Sept. 28 to develop robotic rotorcraft capable of supporting rapid autonomous aerial cargo delivery to the battlefield. Continue reading
Indian Air Force Will Bring Harop into Service in 2013
The Indian Air Force is planning to induct its first self-destructing combat UAS from Israel by next year for enhancing its firepower. Continue reading
US Department of Defense Report Predicts ‘Robust Growth’ For Unmanned Aircraft Industry
The US Defense Department’s latest annual industrial base assessment includes rosy predictions for developers of high-tech unmanned aircraft that have become essential elements of U.S. military operations. Continue reading
Boeing Phantom Works Uses 3-D Printer to Create Prototypes
Boeing engineers are using 3-D printing to aid in rapid prototyping efforts. Continue reading
US Department of Homeland Security Organises Small UAS Fly-Off
Officials of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in Washington are asking industry to participate in a fly-off evaluation of small unmanned aircraft systems and integrated UAS sensor payloads for potential use by local civil authorities maritime border and maritime security, law enforcement, search and rescue, fire, and hazardous material spill response. Continue reading