General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has announced that the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) recently awarded the company a contract for development of the complete Demonstrator Laser Weapon System (DLWS) for the agency’s High Energy Liquid Laser Defense System (HELLADS) programme.
New Chairman for Northrop Grumman
The board of directors of Northrop Grumman Corporation elected Wes Bush as its chairman, effective immediately. Bush will serve as chairman, chief executive officer and president. Bush succeeds Lewis W. Coleman, who has served as non-executive chairman since January 2010.
Canadian Forces Test Kestrel Automated Target Detection Software
Australia’s Sentient has announced that the Canadian Forces are currently conducting an operational evaluation of its Kestrel automated target detection software on board the CP-140 Aurora, Canada’s primary Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance aircraft.
Textron Reports Second Quarter Results
Textron Inc. reported second quarter 2011 Revenues of $2.7 billion, up $19 million from the second quarter of 2010. Segment profit was $196 million, up $35 million from the year-ago quarter.
Euro Hawk Flight to Germany Delayed by Flight Plan Issues
Northrop Grumman has delayed plans to fly a test version of Germany’s Euro Hawk to the EADS Manching site, near Munich, attributing its decision to issues over agreeing a flight plan with the US Federal Aviation Administration.
Pakistan Navy UAV Crashes Near Refinery after Bird Strike
A Pakistani Navy unmanned aircraft crashed near an oil refinery, after hitting a bird in the country’s largest city of Karachi on Tuesday.
Inside the Micro Air Vehicles Unit of the US Air Force Research Laboratory
We came across these Reuters photos taken inside the Micro Air Vehicles Unit of the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio.
US Air Force Seeks ‘The Right Stuff’ for a Predator Pilot
The US Air Force frequently carries out research into the psychological aspects of being a pilot. The results of a survey conducted between September 2009 and April 2011 into what it takes to become a good UAS pilot were presented as a report in May 2011, and have recently been cleared for publication. Here is the ABSTRACT:

