Sperwer Launch
FAA Reform Act – Complete Text Available
Below is the text pertaining to UAS that appeared in the FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011 that was introduced into the House of Representatives on 11 February 2011. For the full text (258 page.pdf) click here. Extract:
Northrop Grumman Rock Video of X-47B Test Flight
Northrop Grumman has released a promotional video clip (complete with rock music) of the first test flight of the X-47B that was carried out in California earlier this month.
Dassault Offers Heron Lease to French Armed Forces
Heron TP © Israel Aerospace Industries
Dassault has proposed an interim solution consisting of leasing Israel Aerospace Industries Heron TP UAS to answer the urgent operational needs of the French Armed Forces. The news was announced by Dassault chief executive Charles Edelstenne to the lower house of the French Parliament during a recent discussion.
US Bureau Seeks Low-Price UAS
The US Bureau of Reclamation, Denver Office, Acquisitions Operations Group is performing a market survey to determine if there are any interested and qualified companies or distributors supplying Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for under $30,000, including delivery, set-up, etc. .
BAE Systems Posts Net Profit – Warns About Defence Cuts
BAE Systems has just announced its year end results for 2010 returning to a net profit, but warning of the impact of defence budget cuts in Britain and the United States. Earnings after tax hit £1.05 billion ($1.69 billion, €1.25 billion) last year, compared with a net loss of £67 million in 2009.
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AeroVironment Flies Nano Hummingbird
AeroVironment has unveiled its ‘Nano Hummingbird’ – capable of climbing and descending vertically, flying sideways left and right, flying forward and backward, as well as rotating clockwise and counter-clockwise, under remote control and carrying a video camera payload. The milestone was part of the Phase II contract awarded by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for the Nano Air Vehicle (NAV) programme.
US Navy Postpones Common Ground Control Station for BAMS & Global Hawk
U.S. Navy UAS experts are temporarily shelving plans to contract with the Northrop Grumman Corp. to develop a common ground-control station for the Global Hawk and Broad Area Maritime Surveillance (BAMS) UAS. Naval officials need more time to re-work requirements for the project, which would have been part of Northrop Grumman’s BAMS system development and demonstration project. For the official notification from FedBizzOps, click here.