General Atomics – Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, was awarded a $42,555,776 option (P00014) to previously awarded contract FA8620-19-C-2003 for MQ-9 Reaper contractor logistics support. Continue reading
DHS Funds Washington Startup to Test Metamaterial-Based Radar
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) awarded $454,099 to Echodyne Corporation of Kirkland, Washington, to continue critical research and development on new radar systems using metamaterials. DHS awarded the funds through a Phase 5 Other Transaction Agreement with S&T’s Silicon Valley Innovation Program (SVIP). Continue reading
US NAVY’s Ekranoplan PAR-WIG
The USSR Ekranoplan, or better known as the Caspin Sea Monster, was a giant ground effect aircraft that could hover above the seas. It was as big, used freighting new physics seemingly beyond then-current technology, And terrified the west. The United States, in a cold war fury, didn’t want to be left behind, and came up with their own version of the Ekranoplan ! Continue reading
French Reaper Block 5 Conducts First Airstrike
France has conducted its first airstrike from a General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) MQ-9 Reaper Block 5 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), the Ministére des Armées announced on 24 August. Continue reading
ANRA Launches Risk Assessment Tool For EU and UK UAS Operations
ANRA Technologies UK Ltd, a provider of integrated airspace, mission management and delivery systems for uncrewed aircraft, has announced the release of SmartSkies SORA, a fully integrated Specified Operations Risk Assessment capability that enables pilots to perform a risk assessment for operations in the ‘specific’ category per European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) regulations. Continue reading
MZA Associates Gets $19M US Navy C-UAS Laser Weapon Contract
Officials of the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) in Arlington, Va., announced an $18.7 million contract to MZA Associates to develop the counter unmanned aerial vehicle (C-UAS) High Energy Laser Weapon System (HELWS). Continue reading
Microwave-Powered Rocket Propulsion Gets a Boost
Drone experiment setup, including the microwave emitting antenna and free-flying drone
Researchers led by the University of Tsukuba are using drone experiments to explore the possibility of launching rockets using a high-power beam of microwave radiation. Continue reading
PteroDynamics Secures Contract with US Navy for Cargo VTOL Aircraft
PteroDynamics, an aircraft design and manufacturing company that develops innovative vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft, has announced that it has secured a contract with Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) to deliver 3 VTOL prototypes for the Blue Water Maritime Logistics UAS (BWUAS) program. Continue reading