A recent amendment to the NASA Research Announcement (NRA) “Research Opportunities In Aeronautics – 2010” calls for a 5-page White Paper to be submitted by February 25, 2011 as step 1 in a two-step programme. The expected annual programme budget is $7.5M for Year 1 and up to $2M/year in Years 2-5.
US Defence Budget – Winners and Losers
The US Defence Budget for 2012 requests 1,395 new UAS, down from the 1,545 that Congress approved for 2010.
Sea Avenger Completes Wind Tunnel Tests
General Atomics has announced that it has successfully completed a key wind tunnel test on a model of its Sea Avenger UAS. The test validated the low-speed characteristics of a new wing, resulting in higher endurance and lower approach speeds. The new wing is also designed to increase aircraft dash speeds, decreasing the time to respond to potential threats.
Tennessee University Teams with ISR Group for Research and New Academic Programme
Middle Tennessee State University and the ISR Group, based in Savannah, Tennessee, have signed a multi-year collaborative agreement to develop a new Unmanned Aircraft System programme in the south-eastern United States. The agreement ties MTSU’s nationally ranked Department of Aerospace with ISR Group’s industry-leading UAS experts, facilities and flight range.
BAE and Stark File Experimental Radio Applications at the FCC
BAE Systems Unmanned Aircraft Programs Inc. filed an application (with supporting exhibit) for an experimental license to develop radio link equipment used in UAS operated by military branches for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) applications. Stark Aerospace filed an application (with supporting exhibits) for an experimental license to test a UAS for public safety and military applications.
Cassidian $20M Joint Venture in Bangalore
Indian engineering major Larsen & Toubro has formed a 74/26 Joint Venture with Cassidian, for defence electronics. The JV, based in Talegaon and Bangalore where L&T has its defence facilities, will cover manufacturing, design, engineering, distribution and marketing in the fields of electronic warfare, radars, avionics and mobile systems for military applications. Around $20 million will be invested initially.
US Air Force Plans 10 New UAS Squadrons
The US Air Force plans to establish three new active duty MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper UAS squadrons this year, along with six new Air National Guard units, and one Air Force Reserve squadron, said Col. James Gear, head of the service’s UAS task force speaking at a recent industry conference in Washington, D.C.
University of Arizona Engineers Study Birds & Bees to Design Smart UAS
University of Arizona aerospace and mechanical engineers are studying bird and bee flight to develop unmanned aircraft that stay aloft longer and cope with sudden and severe changes in airflow. The College of Engineering’s Hybrid Dynamics and Control Laboratory is developing mathematical analysis and design methods that could radically advance the capabilities of UAS and any other system that relies on autonomous decision making.