Last week, Cyprus Institute’s Energy, Environment and Water Research Centre (EEWRC) held a three day UAS workshop that ended with a flight demonstration. Director, Manfred Lange, said that recent technological advances made by his team could offer an economical ways to help farmers, climatologists and event archaeologists.
Smart Bird – Bird Flight Deciphered by Festo
Stuttgart-based Festo claims to be inspired by nature, having deciphered bird flight with its Smart Bird. The ‘bird’ is highly aerodynamically efficient, even turning its head like real gulls do to refine aerobatic turns, and can take off and land by itself.
General Atomics Sets up London Office to Support UK Ministry of Defence
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. announced yesterday that General Atomics Aeronautical Systems UK Ltd (GA-UK), an affiliated entity, has been established with an office in London. The office will be managed by Dr. Jonny King.
China’s $380,000 Innovation Award in Detail
More details of the AVIC Cup – International UAV Innovation Grand Prix – organized by the Aviation Industry Corporation of China in Beijing, on Sept 23 – 25, 2011 in partnership with UVS International. There are in fact two categories – The Creativity Grand Prix and The Athletics Grand Prix:
US Coast Guard Trains UAS Pilots Before Buying Aircraft
The US Coast Guard is training up UAS pilots in anticipation of Congress providing funding for its own aircraft. The skeleton of the service’s UAS programme is taking shape at the Aviation Training Centre, Mobile, Alabama.
Wales Launches Project to use UAS Remote Sensing for Use in Land Applications
The Welsh Assembly Government has just launched a two year research and development programme to explore the potential for advanced remote sensing, using small unmanned aircraft, for use in land applications, primarily high input arable farming. The programme is called Project URSULA – UAS Remote Sensing for Use in Land Applications.
After 600,000 Combat Hours Shadow Fleet Improvements Save $5M per Year
The AAI RQ-7B Shadow 200 Tactical UAS, which won the prestigious Performance-Based Logistics Award from the Secretary of Defence last autumn, continues to improve performance and efficiency after 600,000 combat hours in Iraq and Afghanistan.
ICAO Invites UVS International to Help Plan Regional Campaigns
ICAO has notified UVS International that it would like to continue the partnership established for the organisation of the Global Air Traffic Management Forum, which included ATCA, CANSO, EUROCONTROL, IATA, FAA, Department of Defense (USA), Ministry of Transport (Germany), NATO, and UVS International, for the organisation/conduct of a regional campaign of five seminars/workshops on civil/military cooperation in all ICAO regions from 2011 to 2013.

