Tachyon Networks, developer of aXiom end-to-end satellite solutions for fixed, portable and comms-on-the-move (COTM) applications and Hughes Network Systems, LLC (HUGHES) the global leader in broadband satellite networks and services, today announced their intention to cooperate in the development of end-to-end airborne COTM solutions for military and government markets. This broad-based cooperation will focus on solutions for manned and unmanned aircraft, initially fixed-wing and later rotary wing aircraft, which require full-motion HD video transmission capabilities.
US Army Accelerates UAS Deliveries
The US Army is speeding up delivery of some of its newer Unmanned Aircraft System assets such as the Gray Eagle and expanding the size and range of its overall fleet to include a Family of Small UAS and a Vertical-Take-Off-and-Landing UAS. “We’re going to accelerate Gray Eagle yet again. We’re accelerating from two systems per year to three systems per year, which will result in seventeen systems being procured by FY 2014,” said Tim Owings, deputy project manager for Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
Elbit to Supply Hermes 450 UAS to Brazil
Hermes 450 Photo:Antonio Riciere
Elbit Systems Ltd. announced today that its Brazilian subsidiary, Aeroeletrônica Ltda. (AEL), has been awarded a contract to supply Hermes® 450 UAS to the Brazilian Air Force. The project is a part of the Brazilian Air Forces’ objective to establish independent UAS capabilities.
Schiebel Camcopter Flies with Wescam L-3 Payload
Camcopter with MX-10 Photo: Wescam L-3
Schiebel Aircraft GmbH and Wescam L-3 Communications have announced the first flight of a CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS with the Wescam MX-10 EO/IR payload installed. After brief installation and integration activities of a joint L-3 Wescam Schiebel team, the MX-10 flew successfully at a test range near the Schiebel production facility in Wiener Neustadt, Austria.
IAI Delivers First 12 UAS to Russia
IAI has delivered a dozen UAS, including the short-range Bird-Eye 400 and I-View Mk 150 aircraft, and the longer-range Searcher II, in recent weeks as part of an Israeli effort to encourage the Russians not to provide Iran and Syria with advanced weapons systems, according to The Jerusalem Post.
Northrop Grumman Hunter – Over 100,000 Flight Hours
Northrop Grumman Corporation’s Hunter in use with the U.S. Army since 1996, recently surpassed 100,000 flight hours in service, more than 72,000 of which were flown in combat.
IDGA Announces UAS Summit in April
The Institute for Defense and Government Advancement (IDGA) has announced the UAV Summit scheduled for April 11 – 14, 2011 in the Washington DC area. Members from all services, coast guard/border patrol, and acquisition will convene in the Washington DC Metro Area this April to discuss and evaluate the current and future state of UAV technology and development throughout the US Military.
£600M Anglo-French Attack UAS Programme
Britain and France have launched a proposal to design and build the next generation of unmanned military attack aircraft worth £600 million (€710 million, $952 million). British and French forces want a more advanced aircraft than the General Atomics Reaper currently in service with the Royal Air Force.