AAI Corporation has announced that the Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System programme received the Best PBL (Performance Based Logistics) Implementation award at the 7th Annual Defense Logistics Awards ceremony. This award was established to “honour, recognize and promote the logisticians in the U.S. Department of Defense and the Defense Industry that have made a significant contribution to military logistics.”
Nanotechnology to Store Hydrogen in a Solid State
Scientists at The University of Glasgow and EADS Innovation Works (EADS IW) are working on using nanotechnology to improve the efficiency of the Hydrisafe tank developed by Hydrogen Horizons Ltd, a small start-up company, to store hydrogen in a solid state. By modifying the composition and microstructure of the tank and hydrogen storage materials through nanotechnology, they hope to make it possible to store and distribute the hydrogen so efficiently that it becomes viable for powering fuel cells on aeroplanes.
L-3 Communications Provides Predator Simulators to University of North Dakota
The University of North Dakota has concluded an agreement with L-3 Communications to provide Predator Mission Aircrew Training System units for its training facility at Grand Forks Air Force Base. The total cost of the training facility is about $2 million, of which $1.6 million will go into furnishings and equipment, including the simulators. Most of the funding came from the state Department of Commerce
Magna Parva to Focus on UAS – New Head of Defence Business
UK extreme engineering specialist Magna Parva, known for its Payload Release Devices for UAS, has appointed Chris Day to head up its defence business. The appointment will boost the company’s expertise in unmanned aircraft systems, a field of increasing focus for Magna Parva. His previous position was VP ISTAR & UAV Systems at global aerospace company Thales, where he was also director of the £150 million Thales / Elbit JV company UtaCs.
US Army UAS Expert Wins Department of Defense Civilian Service Award
Tim Owings, Deputy Project Manager for the US Army Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) has received the DOD Distinguished Civilian Service Award, the highest award given to a Department of Defense civilian.
US Navy Budgets $800M for Fire Scout VTLTUAV
Officials at West 2011, an annual defence industry conference in San Diego hosted by AFCEA and the U.S. Naval Institute, revealed that the US Navy is accelerating the development of a carrier-based combat UAS, reports National Defense Magazine. Navy Undersecretary Robert Work said that the department is planning to add $800 million to the budget for the MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical take-off and landing unmanned aircraft programme.
Saab Delivers Neuron Fuselage
Neuron Fuselage
Saab Aerospace handed over the fuselage section of the pan-European Neuron unmanned combat air vehicle technology demonstrator during a ceremony at its Linköping site in Sweden on 25 January. The structure will be shipped by road to the Istres air base in the south of France, where Dassault, the aircraft’s lead integrator, will attach the wings and prepare it for ground and flight tests to start early next year.
ATK to Provide Thermal Control Subsystem for DARPA ISIS Airship
DARPA ISIS Airship - Artist's Impression
Lockheed Martin has awarded a contract to ATK to provide the Thermal Control Subsystem for the Integrated Sensor is Structure (ISIS) programme, an integral part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) ISIS Airship. Lockheed Martin leads an industry team in the development of an airship-based autonomous unmanned sensor with unique capabilities to track ground and air targets.