The SESAR Joint Undertaking (SESAR JU) and the European Organisation for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Cooperation to facilitate exchange of technical and programme information between the two organisations. EUROCAE will better align its strategic work programme to fit the standardisation needs of
Testing
Flight tests beginning in the mid-2000s have pioneered methods for automation in refuelling routines - summer 2012 may see tests of one unmanned aircraft refuelling another. "In-flight refuelling has proven invaluable to manned military aviation, and there’s no reason to expect that the same wouldn’t be
The FAA has now published its request for comments, including instructions for filing comments, on the agency’s selection process for six unmanned aircraft system (UAS) test sites, in the Federal Register. The FAA intends to identify six test ranges/sites to integrate unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) into the National
Accidents
In-flight electrical failure caused a Northrop Grumman EQ-4 to crash in Afghanistan on 20 August 2011, says a newly-released accident investigation report. The aircraft crashed approximately 105 nm (195 km) northwest of Kandahar. Specifically, an electrical connector to an unidentified line replacement unit (LRU) partially separated. This
Military
An ad hoc team of former programme managers is calling on the Pentagon to adapt the 18 Global Hawk Block 30 UAS, due to be mothballed under current budget plans, for boost-phase intercept (BPI) of ballistic missiles. They contend that the US could quickly field a flexible, mobile, ultra-
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has asked for public input on the agency’s selection process for six unmanned aircraft system (UAS) test sites. Once the pilot programme is established, the agency expects it will provide valuable data to help the FAA safely and efficiently integrate UAS into the same
This video shows a demonstration of the "Cheetah" robot galloping at speeds of up to 18 miles per hour (mph), setting a new land speed record for legged robots. The previous record was 13.1 mph, set at MIT in 1989. The robot's movements are patterned
Business
The Board of Directors of Thales met on March 6 to close the financial statements for 2011. Group Chairman and CEO Luc Vigneron commented: "Although the economic environment worsened more markedly than expected, particularly in defence, our order intake increased and our revenues held up well. A marked upturn
Military
Task Force Saber, 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, made their debut to the National Training Center with F Troop and the RQ-7 Shadow UAS. The 101st CAB is the first to have the UAS organic to their unit, truly creating a full spectrum aviation brigade.
Military
The prototype of the new Denel DynamicsSeeker 400 is currently on display at the Denel Dynamics stand at Defence and Security Asia 2012, on March 5-8 in Bangkok, Thailand. The long-endurance tactical UAS is on track to make its maiden flight in the first quarter of 2012. “The
Testing
NASA Dryden has a heritage of developmental and operational experience with unmanned aircraft systems. Work on Boeing's sub-scale X-36 Tailless Fighter Agility Research Aircraft, X-48 Blended Wing Body and full-scale X-45 Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle technology demonstrators helped pave the way for current
Testing
Global Near Space Services (GNSS) of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Bye Aerospace of Denver, Colo., jointly announced continued progress in the development of a unique solar-electric-powered airship named StarLight. Engineers project this cost-effective, unmanned high altitude airship will remain on-station in the stratosphere for a minimum