an independent online news service for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems world
AeroVironment, Inc. announced that the United States Army exercised the second of three options under the sole source Flight Control Systems (FCS) domain of the Army’s multi-year small UAS contract on February 25, 2021. The value of the contract option is $20,979,905 and includes avionics and data link upgrade packages to modify radio frequencies employed by the Army’s existing fleet of Raven tactical UAS. Continue reading
Urban air mobility (UAM) company Volocopter announced the signing of its Series D funding round, raising €200 million in additional capital. Cumulatively, Volocopter has raised €322 million. The funding will be used to solidify Volocopter’s leading position in the UAM market by bringing the VoloCity, the battery-powered air taxi for cities, to certification and by accelerating the launch of its first commercial routes. Continue reading
The Sikorsky S-72 was more than just a visually striking aircraft. This unique and unusual vehicle could take off and land vertically like a chopper, but it could also fly fast and far like a plane. The S-72 would ultimately be neither a helicopter nor a plane. Instead, it was a new concept, an “X-Wing,” conceived through a joint effort between the U.S Navy and NASA. Unfortunately, its innovative design ultimately proved too much for the time. Continue reading
Toshiba Corporation announced that Toshiba Infrastructure Systems & Solutions Corporation, the Toshiba Group company specializing in the global infrastructure business (hereinafter Toshiba), has entered into a strategic business alliance with Fortem Technologies, Inc. (hereafter Fortem), and invested 15 million USD in the company. Fortem is a supplier of counter-drone security systems and Toshiba, through the alliance, aims to expand its radar-based security solutions business. Continue reading
The Australian Government is boosting the Royal Australian Navy’s intelligence capability through Defence’s Maritime Unmanned Aircraft System Continuous Development Program. Continue reading
A group from MIT’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) recently developed a new system to print functional, custom-made devices and robots, without human intervention. Their single system uses a three-ingredient recipe that lets users create structural geometry, print traces, and assemble electronic components like sensors and actuators. Continue reading
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. announced that the family of Gray Eagle Unmanned Aerial Systems surpassed 1 million flight hours on March 16, 2021 during U.S. Army flight operations. Continue reading
A northern Michigan community violated the rights of two residents by using a drone to take aerial photos of cars and other salvage material at their property, the state appeals court said. Continue reading