Transport
SF Express, China’s leading integrated logistics provider, intends to expand its delivery network fleet through the deployment of large cargo unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capability. Together with its Munich based subsidiary, Amazilia Aerospace, SF Express has partnered with Pipistrel, a Slovenian aerospace company,
The German Parliament’s budget committee last week approved a 3 billion euro ($3.59 billion) contract for the development of a European military drone to be built by Airbus, Dassault and Leonardo a parliamentary source said. The German military will receive 21 drones, 12 ground control stations and four
Commercial
Ericsson is working with Vodafone UK to speed up network planning and site upgrades through the trialled use of drones and Lidar-based 3D technology. The trials will use drones equipped with a High Definition (HD) camera, alongside Lidar technology, to collect data from network sites that can then be used
Military
The French Minister of Armed Forces, Florence Parly, has announced that the Armament General Directorate (DGA) has signed an order to purchase eight additional H225Ms and a second VSR700 prototype from Airbus.The VSR700 is an unmanned aerial system being developed for the French Navy in partnership with Naval Group.
Propulsion
The hydrogen market is always associated with fuel cells and vehicles, but this is actually a tiny portion of the overall hydrogen market. In fact, to use hydrogen in fuel cells and industrial applications, it is necessary to produce hydrogen cost-effectively. The strong potential of hydrogen is driven by the
Transport
Xwing, a San Francisco startup developing technologies for self-flying aircraft, announced that it has completed what it called the world’s first fully autonomous demonstration flight of a commercial cargo aircraft from gate to gate. The Cessna Grand Caravan 208 pulled away from Xwing’s hangar in Concord, California, taxied,
Aerial Photography
Sony has updated the development status of its upcoming drone, Airpeak, announcing that they are combining their expertise in imaging, sensing and AI robotics technology in a continuous development of Airpeak. At CES 2021, Airpeak was unveiled as a drone system designed with professional filming in mind. From the perspective
Accidents
A Hollywood man who flew a drone that crashed into an LAPD helicopter last year was sentenced to a $500 fine and probation. Andrew Rene Hernandez was sentenced on Monday after pleading guilty to a single misdemeanor charge of unsafe operation of an unmanned aircraft in January. It was the
Propulsion
Airbus has launched “Advanced Superconducting and Cryogenic Experimental powertraiN Demonstrator” (ASCEND) to explore the impact of superconducting materials and cryogenic temperatures on the performance of an aircraft’s electrical propulsion systems. The introduction of superconducting materials can lower electrical resistance, meaning that electrical current can supply power without energy loss.
Research
New research (1) with senior private equity and venture capital professionals reveals 71% expect there to be more than 160,000 commercial air taxis operating around the world by 2050. Some 17% anticipate there will be over 200,000. The research was commissioned by Horizon Aircraft, the advanced aerospace engineering
UAM/UTM
Lilium GmbH has entered into a definitive business combination agreement with Qell Acquisition Corp., a publicly listed special purpose acquisition company. Qell, led by Barry Engle, a former president of General Motors North America, is focused on developing next-generation, sustainable mobility. Upon closing of the transaction, the company will be
Video
Northrop Grumman's stealth aircraft that was built in secrecy during the 1980s represents a major milestone in surveillance aircraft technology. Tacit Blue — nicknamed “the whale” for its unusual shape — was an experimental prototype that demonstrated that aircraft could spy on enemy operations without being detected by radar. During