Testing
Integrating UAS into NextGen Systems
MITRE released this video explaining what it is doing to help unmanned aircraft operate safely in the national airspace by integrating them into the FAA's air traffic control system. Source: YouTube
Latest
Commercial
US Geological Survey to Use Unmanned Flights To Monitor River Erosion On Indian Reservation
The US Geological Survey will use unmanned aircraft flights to monitor river bank erosion on the Lower Brule reservation on the west bank of the Missouri River in central South Dakota in the United States. The Lower Brule Sioux Tribe estimates that the reservation is losing some eight feet of
Payloads
GE HD Video Streaming Appliance is Optimized for Unmanned Aircraft
GE Intelligent Platforms announced the daq8580 rugged streaming network appliance, designed in response to the growing requirement for unmanned aircraft to capture, process and transmit increasing quantities of video information at increasing resolutions. The daq8580 is a complete, standalone, application-ready solution that delivers flexibility, high performance and excellent cost-
Propulsion
Ultra Electronics Fuel Cell Quadruples Small UAS Endurance
Ultra Electronics has confirmed providing a new fuel cell that quadrupled the range of a conventionally-powered Lockheed Martin Stalker UAS. The UAS Power Pod is aimed at dramatically increasing the endurance of any UAS in the class below the 18kg (39.7lb) Boeing/Insitu ScanEagle. The 2.6kg power
Commercial
NASA Airborne Sensor Turns to Manned Aircraft for Easier Access to the National Airspace System for Wildfire Monitoring
From September to the end of October, a NASA thermal- infrared scanning instrument will stand ready to support the U.S. Forest Service and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection with real-time imagery of fire characteristics. In 2006, with the AMS mounted in the General Atomics Aeronautical
Propulsion
Northwest Engines Get Lighter, Quieter and More Power
Oregon-based, family-run Northwest UAV Propulsion Systems is developing a suite of technologies to boost the performance and lighten the load for small unmanned aircraft systems. Northwest provides gasoline and heavy fuel engines for variety of small UAS, including the Boeing/Insitu Scan Eagle and Integrator, as well as
Propulsion
Composite Horizons to Supply Exhaust Ducts for Predator C Avenger
Composites Horizons, a provider of composite tooling and composite products for space components, aircraft manufacturing and medical equipment, has announced that General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) has selected the company for producing an exhaust duct for the Predator C Avenger . CHI is a part of Hampson Aerospace, a manufacturer
Military
AAI Shadow to be Armed within Two Years
U.S. Marine Corps plans to arm the AAI RQ-7B Shadow tactical unmanned aircraft have cleared NATO treaty compliance hurdles. The service now expects to conduct a field user evaluation within 18-24 months. NATO approval was needed as the rail-launched Shadow falls under a treaty intended to
Military
Libyan Rebels Use Aeryon Scout to "See Over the Hill"
Libyan rebels have been using the Aeryon Scout Micro UAS to acquire intelligence on enemy positions and to coordinate their resistance efforts. Representatives from the Transitional National Council (TNC) were looking for an imagery solution to provide to the troops on the ground. They evaluated a series of micro UAS
Accidents
Three ISAF Unmanned Aircraft Down in Afghanistan
A unmanned aircraft of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) has come down in southern Afghanistan due to a technical failure, the alliance said on Saturday. "We can confirm that a small ISAF remotely-piloted aircraft did crash in Ghazni as a result of a mechanical issue," the
Commercial
Hermes Locates Clandestine Runway on Brazil/Columbia Border
A Hermes 450, known as RQ-450 when operated by the Brazilian Air Force located a clandestine runway close to the border with Columbia. It was taking part in Operation Agatha, which began on August 7 and involves the Army, Navy, Air Force and other government agencies such as the
Commercial
Spain to Use Unmanned Aircraft in Strait of Gibraltar Maritime Border Surveillance
The Spanish government is considering introducing unmanned aircraft to increase their maritime border surveillance in the Strait of Gibraltar. Tests have already taken place. All of the main routes of drug trafficking into Spain go across water, said David Rios-Morentin, a manager from the Border Management Systems division of