This year’s US National Aerospace Week, an event established by Congress, will focus on informing the debate over choices the US government will make in the coming months. Ongoing and emerging security threats, aging civil and space infrastructure, fiscal challenges and keeping and creating jobs all present the United States with enormous challenges.
Raytheon Demonstrates Ground Control System to UK MoD for Scavenger UAS
Raytheon Company recently demonstrated its Common Ground Control System (CGCS) technology to representatives from the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence. The demonstration showed a UAS control station in a scenario representative of a Scavenger UAS mission, including simultaneous control of multiple dissimilar vehicles, sensor command and control, and connectivity to external systems, among other capabilities. Continue reading
Middle Tennessee State University Partners with US Army to Develop UAS Technology
Sidney A. McPhee (left), President of Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, and Army Colonel Timothy Baxter, Project Manager for the Army's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Office
Middle Tennessee State University signed a MoU with the US Army’s UAS Program Office. The Army is partnering with MTSU to turn university-level research and development into technology applicable to UAS.
10 Hour Flight for Hydrogen Powered Fuel Cell UAS
Robota LLC demonstrated a 10 hour and 4 minute flight of its unmanned aircraft platform named Robosoar. The UAS is designed to be man-portable, operated by a single person and is capable of autonomous takeoff and landing.
Northrop Grumman Enters Bat for IED-Hunting Sand Dragon B Programme
Northrop Grumman Corp. Aerospace Systems sector in San Diego is using the company’s Bat unmanned aircraft in the U.S. Air Force Sand Dragon B programme to defeat improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and other roadside bombs.
IAI Evaluates Aerial Refuelling for Heron
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is evaluating aerial refuelling for the upgraded version of its Heron unmanned aircraft system, which is better equipped to perform maritime missions.
Boeing Pauses Phantom Ray Tests After Two Flights
Boeing has ended the scheduled flight test programme for the self-funded Phantom Ray unmanned combat air systems (UCAS) demonstrator after two sorties, although it had originally planned 10.
Black Dart and Blue Knight
The U.S. military is heavily reliant on unmanned aircraft systems to serve as its eyes and weapons on the battlefield. But other nations have also been active in acquiring their own platforms, which raises the possibility that future warfighters may have to face a UAS-equipped opponent.