Testing
BlueBird's ThunderB tactical unmanned air vehicle performed a record 25.5h flight on 17 March, as part of a demonstration for an undisclosed customer. ThunderB is a small UAV weighing 28kg (62lb), and the manufacturer says the endurance it demonstrates is typically only found in much larger UAVs,
Commercial
Researchers at Mississippi State are using innovative unmanned aircraft technology to help state and federal officials assess extensive wildfire damage to a unique natural habitat on the Coast. Biologists and geographic information system specialists from the Grand Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve, along with the U.S. Forestry Service, are
The US Army has provided more details on the Soldier Borne Sensors (SBS) micro drones it hopes to issue for individual soldiers. One of the barriers to wide implementation into squads is cost. Unlike the much smaller British army, which has integrated similar micro drones into its ranks, the larger
Business
DARPA has awarded Phase 1 contracts for its Gremlins program, which seeks to develop innovative technologies and systems enabling aircraft to launch volleys of low-cost, reusable unmanned air systems (UAS) and safely and reliably retrieve them in mid-air. Such systems, or “gremlins,” would be deployed with a mixture
Technology
Amazon has filed a patent to build drone propellers that can emit warning noises and certain phrases. The eCommerce giant is interested in using drones to deliver parcels to people's homes and offices, cutting out delivery companies like FedEx and DHL. Spotted by The Register recently, the patent
Florida-based startup Apellix developed a prototype unmanned aerial system that can potentially paint homes or ships, apply chemicals, or pressure wash windows. It's called the "Worker Bee." Company founder Robert Dahlstrom presented the pitch for his drone on Friday at an event for Starburst Accelerator
Military
The Australian Navy has indicated it sees a range of unmanned aerial vehicles as a way of greatly extending the range and performance of its patrol and combat functions over the huge area of ocean surrounding Australia. It has a tender to provide a maritime tactical unmanned aircraft system, to
Military
US attack and guided missile submarine are set to field miniature unmanned aerial vehicles that will act as the eyes and ears not only for the boats below water but also help special operations forces and strike aircraft target weapons, the Navy’s Director of Undersea Warfare told USNI News
Regulations
Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority has issued its 500th unmanned operators certificate, with CASA predicting there will be more than 600 by the end of the year. CASA CEO and Director of Aviation Safety Mark Skidmore said this was just one more step in what is expected to be
Regulations
Consulting companies 360iFly, PMC and the Cyprus Department of Civil Aviation two year public private collaboration has resulted in new regulation of both recreational and commercial drone users in Cyprus. Regulations were enacted by Ministerial Decree November 2015 and are now subject of an education and awareness program being led
With immediate effect, owners of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) used for commercial, public and other non-model aircraft operations will be able to use the FAA’s new, streamlined, web-based registration process to register their aircraft. The web-based process will significantly speed up registration for a variety
Events
Japan Drone 2016, the first RPAS conference & exhibition in Japan, took place at the Markuhari Messe in Chiba (Tokyo), Japan on 24-26 March 2016. This event was organized by the Japan UAS Industrial Development Association (JUIDA), Congress Corporation, Japan, and Space Media Japan Co., Ltd. Japan Drone 2016