Research
In May, DARPA launched the UAVForge Challenge to use crowd-sourcing to build small UAS through an exchange of ideas and design practices. The goal is to build and test a user-intuitive, backpack-portable UAS that can quietly fly in and out of critical environments to conduct sustained surveillance
Makani Power is developing Airborne Wind Turbines (AWT) to extract energy from the powerful, consistent winds at high altitudes. Makani’s AWT is a rigid wing that flies at altitudes between 300 and 600 meters. Turbines on the leading edge of the wing face into the wind as it flies
Data Links & Communications
The PD-100 Black Hornet PRS is designed as a soldier’s tool, this necessitates that ease of use always be kept in mind throughout the development. For the PD-100 ease of use is multi faceted and includes technical solutions and operational issues, but most importantly it is linked
Commercial
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute is asking local and federal agencies for permission to use small research unmanned aircraft to map and monitor seagrass beds. Paul Carlson, the research scientist leading the project, has several reasons for wanting to conduct the research along Levy County’s coastline. Among
Control Stations
AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Aurora Flight Sciences have announced that the organizations have formed a strategic alliance to integrate AAI's Universal Ground Control Station and other ground control technologies with Aurora's Orion UAS and Centaur Optionally Piloted Aircraft . This pairing supports medium-altitude, long-endurance
Data Links & Communications
ASC Signal Corporation has been awarded a $3.8 million sub-contract by L-3 Communications Systems-West to build a dual-band antenna system to support global data collection and dissemination worldwide for the U.S. Navy MQ-4C Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aircraft System (BAMS UAS) programme.
Take-Off & Landing
Faun Trackway USA has announced the development of a new Aircraft Landing Mat (ALM) technology specifically designed for unmanned aircraft use. After launching in July 2011, Faun's temporary roadway and landing mat technology has completed a successful testing and demonstration period. "Faun's technology allows for
Commercial
A new method of monitoring for changes in rangeland conditions is being developed by USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists that will allow better management of those areas. In its early stages the Very Large Scale Aerial (VLSA) imagery programme has been very helpful in finding changing conditions, such as
Events
The ICAUV 2012 Conference & Exhibition taking place at the Eagleton Golf Resort in Banaglore, India is the only event totally dedicated to UAS in India that is totally supported by the Indian Ministry of Defence, Defence Research & Development Organization, Aeronautical Development Establishment. The following documents pertaining to ICAUV
Testing
The US Navy/Northrop Grumman Corporation X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration aircraft reached a major milestone on September 30 when it retracted its landing gear and flew in its cruise configuration for the first time. The flight, conducted at Edwards Air Force Base, also helped validate precision navigation
Propulsion
The LaserMotive system transmits laser light from a ground station to a photovoltaic receiver on a UAV. Reflected light from the UAV is then captured and used to monitor its position and dynamically control the laser to deliver the power to the correct position Recently, at the Future of Flight
Military
The UK Army in Afghanistan operates a fleet of leased Hermes 450 aircraft, but the battery from 32 Regiment Royal Artillery, is also responsible for two other UAS that deliver full-motion video (FMV) from forward locations. These are the hand-launched Lockheed Martin Desert Hawk III (DH3), and T‑