Swarms
The US Marine Corps has begun experimenting with a family of loitering, swarming munitions for attack helicopters that will give the service extra reach for future operations in the Indo-Pacific, according to the Corps’ latest update to its ongoing modernization efforts. The project — called the Long-Range Attack Munition
Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC) announced that it has acquired the former Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Heliplex facility in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, which previously served as a production and delivery center for Sikorsky's S-76 and S-92 helicopters. The company will transform the 219,000 square foot state-of-the-
Transport
Natilus, an innovator in designing and developing new autonomous blended-wing body (BWB) cargo aircraft, and ZeroAvia, the leader in zero-emission commercial aviation, have announced a strategic partnership to jointly develop hydrogen-electric engines for the Natilus Kona cargo UAV. ZeroAvia’s ZA600 will be the sole hydrogen-electric
Transport
Matternet has announced that its partner, Ameriflight, the nation’s largest Part 135 Cargo airline, received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate the Matternet M2 for commercial delivery. Ameriflight now becomes the second operator in the U.S. approved to operate the Matternet M2. Combined, Matternet and
Military
Under the scorching summer sun at an undisclosed location in Ukraine, an almost invisible drone approaches in the distance. Difficult to spot, the remote-controlled aircraft is also nearly impossible to hear. “It’s very stealthy,” drone maker Valeriy Borovyk says. “We call this one Vidsyich (Ukrainian word for ‘repel’
eVTOL
Boeing has purchased all of Kitty Hawk’s stake in Wisk in a move to become a complete owner of the Wisk Aerial Mobility development company. This new full ownership structure allow Wisk to more fully utilize Boeing’s expertise in development, testing, and certification, though Wisk will continue to
Lighter Than Air
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is awarded an $8,522,190 firm-fixed-price delivery order (N00383-23-F-V408) under previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00383-19-G-V401) for the procurement of the mission processing unit in support of the MQ-8C aircraft. Work will be
The US Air Force has denied it has conducted an AI simulation in which a drone decided to “kill” its operator to prevent it from interfering with its efforts to achieve its mission. An official said last month that in a virtual test staged by the US military, an air
Propulsion
Northwest UAV has announced that its newest heavy-fuel UAV engine (NW-230) has received EAR 99 export approval, expanding market reach on a global scale. Export Administration Regulations, commonly known as (EAR), administered by the Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security, control most US exports of products
Transport
Siemens Healthineers Middle East, Southern & Eastern Africa and Wingcopter GmbH have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and roll out an integrated drone delivery solution to transport various laboratory diagnostics materials as well as other medical supplies in Africa. The combination of Siemens Healthineers’ Laboratory Diagnostics testing
Transport
Skyports Drone Services successfully conducted a landmark medical drone delivery demonstration for Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health. The demonstration comes after Skyports Drone Services successfully obtained Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) permissions from the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT). The showcase was conducted for the country’s
Business
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc., Poway, California, has been awarded an $11,759,271 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for Spain MQ-9 contractor logistics support. This contract provides contractor logistics support for MQ-9A and Mission Ground Control Station to the Spanish Air Force. The aircrew, field service representatives,