IBC Advanced Alloys announced that it has entered into a Development and Technical Services accord with the US Navy’s Tactical Multi-Mission Unmanned Aerial Systems Programme and the US Military’s Army Research Laboratory (ARL) based in Aberdeen, Maryland to assess the use of lightweight beryllium aluminium alloys in the Beralcast series.
X-47B Flight Tests Expanded
X-47B Landing at Edwards Air Force Base
Less than a month after the first flight of the U.S. Navy’s X-47B UCAS-Demonstration aircraft, flight test engineers from Northrop Grumman and the Navy have successfully completed the aircraft’s second and third flights. The flights, both conducted at Edwards Air Force Base, mark the beginning of the envelope expansion process to prove that the tailless aircraft can perform safely over a broad range of altitudes, air speeds and operating weights.
US Army Awards AAI $13M Contract for TCDL on 2 Shadows
AAI Corporation has won a $12.6 million contract from the US Army Contracting command at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, to install Tactical Common Data Link equipment on two Shadow UAS.
Israel Flies UAS Over Lebanon
Lebanese officials have complained that two Israeli UAS have penetrated Lebanese airspace and flown over the southern part of the country in violation of a UN Security Council resolution.
Enrolment Up 200% for Kansas State University UAS Course
Interest in Kansas State University Salina’s Introduction to Unmanned Aircraft Systems course is soaring, with enrolment up 200 per cent since autumn 2010.
BAE Systems and Dassault Join Forces for MALE UAS
BAE's Mantis - Basis for New Joint UAS
BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation announced that they have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the design, development, production and support of a medium altitude long endurance (MALE) unmanned aircraft system for the UK and French defence ministries.
US Navy Timeline for $874M Worth of ISR Services
The US Navy has outlined a new timeline for buying services provided by a fleet of unmanned aircraft systems worth up to $874 million. The close-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) contract would replace the Boeing/Insitu ScanEagle with a ship-based, small UAS that would keep track of vessels within a 50nm (90km) radius of the launch ship.
Global Hawk Helps Tsunami Relief Effort in Japan
A Global Hawk based in Guam, is currently flying above Japan gathering imagery to help the Japanese Government direct its aid programme.