Tag Archives: unmanned aircraft systems

First Candidate for US Army’s Future Tactical Drone gets First Soldier-Operated Flight

Spc. Christopher McCoy, assigned to 1st Engineer Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, conducts an engine start on the JUMP 20 prior to a launch during a capabilities assessment at Fort Riley, Kansas, on April 8, 2020

The first candidate in the running to replace the U.S. Army’s RQ-7 Shadow unmanned aircraft system had its first soldier-operated flight in an April 7 capabilities assessment.

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Yamaha and Japan Airlines Trial Same-Day Seafood Delivery by Drone

While it’s important to get fresh seafood from fishing boats to restaurants as fast as possible, using a full-size crewed aircraft to do so isn’t always cost-effective. That’s why Yamaha and Japan Airlines are now looking at using a drone for part of the journey. Continue reading

Commercial Drone Market to Hit 2.9M Units by 2023, says Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan’s recent analysis, Global Commercial UAS Market Outlook, 2020, finds that the industry is transitioning from a nascent to a growth stage. With the surge in demand for commercial drones by the professional segment, unit shipment is estimated to rise at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5%, reaching 2.91 million units by 2023 from 2.44 million units in 2019. Continue reading

GA-ASI Ferries New MQ-9 to Holloman Air Force Base

Predator B Block 5

On January 8th General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) for the first time flew a new MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) to a customer location at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. Typically a new MQ-9 is packed and shipped by GA-ASI for reassembly after delivery. Continue reading

AeroVironment Gets $10.7M Puma 3 AE Contract for US Navy and Marine Corps

AeroVironment, Inc. announced its receipt of a $10,677,987 firm-fixed-price contract award for Puma 3 AE systems and spares on Feb. 18, 2020 for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) Program. Delivery is anticipated by April 2020. Continue reading

EU Endeavour to Define Technical Rules, Standards & Procedures for Civil Drone Operators

AW-Drones is a 36 months (2019-2021) project co-funded by the European Commission (EC) in the framework of Horizon 2020, the EU Research & Innovation programme. The project supports the ongoing EU regulatory process for the definition of technical rules, standards and procedures for civilian drones to enable safe, environmentally sound and reliable operations in the EU. Continue reading