The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is looking at birds’ perceptual and maneuvering abilities as inspiration for small unmanned aircraft autonomy. Continue reading
UK and France Finally Sign UAS Agreements
Defence ministers from the United Kingdom and France have agreed to increase cooperation on unmanned aircraft, following a bilateral meeting in London. French Defence Minister Jean Yves Le Drian and British Defence Secretary Philip Hammond agreed plans, which will see France trial the Watchkeeper Unmanned Aircraft System. Continue reading
Gray Eagle Achieves 10,000 Automated Take-Offs and Landings
Photo: General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. announced that its Gray Eagle UAS has reached a record 10,000 successful automatic launch and recoveries with the Automatic Takeoff and Landing System (ATLS). Continue reading
Syria Uses Iranian UAS Against Rebels
Since at least February, the Syrian government has been using Iranian-built UAS to track and target Free Syrian Army rebels in their strongholds, including Homs and Hamah. Continue reading
Russia Buys UAS to Monitor Street Protests
One of Russia’s manufacturers of unmanned aircarft, Zala Aero, has provided the Russian government with more than 70 unmanned systems, each containing several aircraft. According to an article published Monday on Open Democracy Russia. Continue reading
Incoming US Air Force Chief to Keep Global Hawks
General Mark Welsh, the next Air Force Chief of Staff, admitted that the service’s fiscal 2013 budget was “simply not executable” in the face of Congressional opposition over cuts to the Air National Guard. Welsh vowed to work with Congress, the Guard, and governors “so we never end up here again.” Continue reading
Northrop Grumann Gets $156M Global Hawk Us Air Force Support Contracts
The U.S. Air Force has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation two contract modifications totaling $156 million to continue operating and maintaining the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) system in support of overseas contingency missions. Continue reading
ICAO/CERG Warsaw Air Law Conference
The ICAO/CERG Warsaw Air Law Conference will take place on 5-6 September 2012 at the Hilton Hotel in Warsaw, Poland. This conference, which is organized by the Civil Aviation Office of the Republic of Poland, will focus on the current and future problems related to the international legal framework in the field of aviation safety, unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and aviation security. Continue reading