Rheinmetall Airborne Systems GmbH has announced details of the completely new, bi-hybrid tactical Unmanned Aircraft System that we revealed last week. The airborne system, currently operating under the project name TU-150 *, unifies fixed-wing with VTOL characteristics and is being developed in close cooperation with the Swiss UAV AG. Continue reading
Supersonic Flying Wing Gets $100K NASA Development Funding
An aircraft that resembles a four-point ninja star could go into supersonic mode by simply turning 90 degrees in midair. The unusual “flying wing” concept has won $100,000 in NASA funding to trying becoming a reality for future passenger jet travel. Continue reading
German Air Force Wants Armed UAS
The head of Germany’s Air Force called for Berlin to buy controversial missile-armed Predators for future conflicts. Continue reading
Thought-Controlled Quadcopter
Researchers at Zhejiang University in Hangzhou, China, have developed a quadcopter that can be controlled by thought alone. The idea is to give people with impaired motor abilities a new avenue for interaction. Continue reading
EASA Publishes Notice of Proposed Amendment 2012-10
On 21 August 2012 EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) made NPA-2012-10 “Transposition of Amendment 43 to Annex 2 to the Chicago Convention on remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) into common rules of the air” available for public consultation on its website. Continue reading
Northrop Grumman Gets $40M US Navy BAMS Maintenance Contract
Northrop Grumman Corp. is being awarded a $40,137,349 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for operations and maintenance services in support of the Broad Area Maritime Surveillance – Demonstrator Unmanned Aircraft System, also known as the Global Hawk Maritime – Demonstrator. Continue reading
Apple Blocks UAS Strike iPhone App
Apple keeps blocking the Drones+ programme from its App Store — and therefore, from iPhones everywhere. The Cupertino company says the content is “objectionable and crude,” according to Apple’s latest rejection letter. Continue reading
RQ-4 Global Hawk Operations – Video
This video shows the RQ-4 Global Hawk launching, landing and taxiing. Continue reading