Time appears to be running out for the A-10—the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) announced June 23 that it will allow the Air Force to retire 42 A-10s as part of its 2024 National Defense Authorization Act, approved this week. The Senate panel’s decision follows on
DARPA has selected nine companies to produce initial operational system and demonstration system conceptual designs for a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial system (UAS) that can be deployed and retrieved without the large mechanical launchers and landing/recovery equipment used today. The AdvaNced airCraft Infrastructure-Less Launch And
Electronic Sub-Systems
RTX is developing a 1 megawatt electric generator for the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) as part of its Advanced Turbine Technologies for Affordable Mission-Capability program. The low-spool generator could have multiple applications for future manned and unmanned military platforms. With the addition of advanced mission systems, avionics
Business
AeroVironment Inc., Simi Valley, California, was awarded an $18,861,420 modification (P00030) to contract W31P4Q-20-C-0024 for Switchblade Weapon System procurement. Work will be performed in Simi Valley, California, with an estimated completion date of Nov. 30, 2023. Fiscal 2023 Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount
Military
Northrop Grumman Corporation delivered the fourth multi-intelligence MQ-4C Triton to the U.S. Navy ahead of initial operational capability (IOC) this year. The delivery completes the set of aircraft for Unmanned Patrol Squadron (VUP) 19’s establishment of the first operational orbit, while a second orbit is preparing
Training
On June 12, 2023, the Italian Air Force began training its first cohort of pilots and sensor operators to fly its new MQ-9A Block 5 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) at the Flight Test & Training Center (FTTC) in Grand Forks, N.D., which is owned and operated
eVTOL
AutoFlight, a supplier of Advanced Air Mobility solutions, and Groupe ADP, the Paris-based airport operator, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to experiment electric take-off and landing aircraft (eVTOLs) 'Prosperity I' from Pontoise Vertiport during the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. As the Paris
Sky Power International offers one of their bestselling two-stroke engines, the SP-210 FI TS ROS, with more power. “From now on we offer the SP-210 FI TS ROS in run-in condition, with 14kW. But customers, who are using this engine already, can have the possibility to
Business
Safran has secured its first export contract for the Patroller tactical unmanned air vehicle (UAV), with Greece signing a four-unit deal via the NATO Support and Procurement Agency. To replace the Greek army’s current Sperwer UAVs – manufactured by Safran Electronics & Defence predecessor Sagem – the Patrollers will be
Military
It was in the mid-19th century that the first UAV was deployed in combat. That distinction belongs to the Austrians, who in 1849 bombed Venice, Italy, using explosive-laden balloons. Unsurprisingly, they weren’t very effective—many of them even blew back toward Austria due to wind. Before long,
Drone Light Shows
Shenzhen residents and visitors watched live this week as a colossal dragon dressed in colored lights danced on their heads. This spectacular scene has been possible thanks to the coordinated movement of thousands of drones that, moving in formation, have started the Duanwu Festival in the aforementioned Chinese city. The
Video
Brad Wursten put on a amazing performance in his MX2 during the Friday evening twilight show at the 2023 Oregon Airshow at the Hillsboro airport. The MX2 is a carbon fiber, two seat tandem sport aircraft produced by MX Aircraft of Perth, Western Australia. The MX2 has been used by