Scientists at Southampton and Imperial have completely reframed the design problem of drones by looking to the flight capabilities of bats This last year has seen the launch of the first passenger drone controlled by a tablet, a prototype of a drone-controlled robot garbage collector, and online retailer Amazon
Commercial
The Delaware River and Bay Authority (DRBA) recently conducted an inspection of the Delaware Memorial Bridge Twin Span using an Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) or drone.
Commercial
Near infrared (NIR) is an analytical technique used in a variety of applications, from drug tablet manufacturing to detecting counterfeit products. It can also tell you where the bodies are buried. Recently, researchers have been experimenting with NIR on the forensic science side of things, as a means to uncover
Data Links & Communications
BlueBird Aero Systems Ltd - a designer and developer of combat-proven Micro, Mini and Small tactical UAS solutions and peripheral equipment - announced that its SpyLite Mini UAV, weighing only ~9 kg, has achieved an extraordinary communication range of 120 km, an outstanding achievement and a new world record in the
Military
MBDA is still hopeful its dual-mode Brimstone air-to-surface missile will be carried on General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air vehicles, as it awaits requirements that will lead to the next round of testing. An initial test campaign concluded in January 2014 at the US
Commercial
A rescue centre for dogs has a unique and rather ingenious way of exercising the 'hyper' animals in its care. Whitehall Dog Rescue in East Ardsley, West Yorkshire purchased a drone to be chased by its four-legged residents in a bid to wear them out before bed.
Video
The Vintage Aviator Ltd's original WW1 Avro 504K takes off, and then lands at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton, New Zealand. The Avro 504 was a World War I biplane aircraft made by the Avro aircraft company and under licence by others. Production during the War totalled 8,970 and
Commercial
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is currently reviewing the report and recommendations of the Micro Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Aviation Rulemaking Committee. The agency had tasked the group to develop recommendations for performance-based regulations that would let certain unmanned aircraft operate over people not directly involved in the flight
A research effort associated with DARPA’s Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program recently conducted the first successful flight tests of a shoebox-sized, plug-and-play system designed to enable manned and unmanned aircraft to automatically detect nearby aircraft and avoid potential mid-air collisions. An unmanned
Commercial
NATS, the air navigation services specialist, which provides air traffic control services at 13 UK airports including Heathrow, Stansted, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow is now offering courses to users of drones. The course is available to private individuals, small companies or large organisations who intend to use a drone for
The MQ-9 Reaper demonstrated a wide range of weapons capability firsts during the air-to-ground Weapon System Evaluation Program here from March 14 - 17. Students of the MQ-9 platform from the 26th Weapons Squadron, U.S. Air Force Weapons School, Nellis AFB, Nevada, participated in the WSEP
First Responders
In Australia, New South Wales Police's special services group is tinkering with drone technology as it considers a force-wide capability of up to 100 machines controlled by 60 trained pilots. Starting from a $66,000 grant to train seven pilots and buy a bunch of test systems,