Commercial
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) biologist Leanne Hanson narrates this video showing how the Raven-A small unmanned aircraft system works in the field and what it "sees" from the air. In the first application of the Raven A system to a natural resource management need, the USGS
Business
The Dutch Rotorcraft Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (R-UAV) manufacturer GEOCOPTER from the Netherlands officially delivered its first Light Unmanned Rotorcraft System, designated GC-201, to its launching customer and development partner: the National Aerospace Laboratory (NLR). The GC-201 is a versatile unmanned system, designed and built like a normal
Military
The Navy’s MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical-takeoff/ vertical-landing unmanned aerial vehicle (VTUAV) has deployed for the first time in the Southwest Asia region, where the helicopter is being tested in the challenging environments of the Arabian Sea and Afghanistan. A detachment with two MQ-8Bs is deployed
Commercial
Arlington police are testing small unmanned aircraft designed to take high-resolution video and photos of traffic accidents, hostage situations, pursuits of suspects and other emergency situations too dangerous to send personnel. Data from the testing, which will continue through next January, will help Arlington and law enforcement agencies across
Testing
The first Northrop Grumman MQ-4C broad area maritime surveillance (BAMS) aircraft is on track for rollout in the spring of 2012, with first flight that summer. The first prototype aircraft is being fitted with electronics at Northrop Grumman's factory in Palmdale, California. The wings, currently in Texas,
Testing
Schiebel has announced that it has partnered with French shipbuilder DCNS for the purpose of deploying its Camcopter S-100 Unmanned Air System onboard their new Gowind class of OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel), L ADROIT which was launched in May. The Gowind Class L'ADROIT, previously known as Hermes,
Events
Datron Scout, a lightweight quad rotor Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) designed for air reconnaissance and surveillance in harsh environments, performed well during the maritime-based portion of the recent Empire Challenge 2011 in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. As a part of this event, Datron Scout was responsible for the silent
Testing
Despite a dismal initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) report about the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30, the US Air Force reports a relatively high operational reliability rating. The USAF reports that Block 30 Global Hawks, operating from four bases for five combatant commands, are
Military
The US Army has released an RFI "to support the Army development of the MRMP acquisition strategy and to inform the collaborative Army and Navy Medium Range Maritime UAS (MRMUAS) Analysis of Alternatives (AoA)." MRMUAS is the Navy's planned follow-on to the MQ-8 Fire
Business
Image Intelligence AB has announced the appointment of three new distribution partners, spanning three continents: Nostromo Defensa in Argentina, UAVs Australia in Australia, and Elmer Group in South Africa. Imint’s unique software technology for resource efficient real-time video analysis and enhancement continues to attract global interest, and Imint’
National Associations
Former FAA Administrator and current President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, Marion C. Blakey, called for accelerated implementation of FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation System and increased U.S. investment in research and development to avoid losing its leadership in aerospace and defence. "It'
Payloads
The Defense Department has awarded General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GASS) in Poway $39.8 million for continuing development of the High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System (HELLADS), a high-energy weapon that will eventually be incorporated into tactical aircraft and unmanned aircraft. The work will be done on behalf