Business
A survey by job seekers web-site Indeed revealed that in the USA, the average annual salary of a UAS Operator, or Remotely Piloted Aircraft Pilot, was $103,000 – somewhat greater than the average of $80,000 it found for Aircraft Pilots. For full results click here. Meanwhile, we came
Business
WinterGreen Research announces that it has a new study on homeland security unmanned aircraft systems . Markets valued at $84 million in 2010 are forecast to reach $2.3 billion dollars, worldwide by 2017. The 2011 study has 672 pages and 216 tables and figures. Homeland_UAS_Abstract.pdf Worldwide markets
Business
UAS has been the most dynamic growth sector of the world aerospace industry this decade, according to a report just issued by the Teal Group. The 2011 market study estimates that UAS spending will almost double over the next decade from current worldwide UAS expenditures of $5.9 billion annually
Business
Elbit Systems Ltd. announced yesterday that it has reached an agreement to acquire the remaining 30% of the shares of Elisra Electronic Systems Ltd. held by Elta Systems Ltd.(a subsidiary of Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd.) for $67.5 million. Elbit Systems currently owns 70% of Elisra’s shares, and
Business
AnsuR, an Oslo, Norway-based supplier of small unmanned aerial vehicles, has announced its acquisition of Scandicraft, another Norwegian company that develops and markets microdrones for surveillance and security purposes. AnsuR BirdEye, a new company wholly-owned by AnsuR, will continue Scandicraft’s development work, in conjunction with AnsuR’s
Business
BAE Systems has just announced its year end results for 2010 returning to a net profit, but warning of the impact of defence budget cuts in Britain and the United States. Earnings after tax hit £1.05 billion ($1.69 billion, €1.25 billion) last year, compared with a net
Business
Indian engineering major Larsen & Toubro has formed a 74/26 Joint Venture with Cassidian, for defence electronics. The JV, based in Talegaon and Bangalore where L&T has its defence facilities, will cover manufacturing, design, engineering, distribution and marketing in the fields of electronic warfare, radars, avionics and
Propulsion
UK’s Ultra Electronics started the year with two US acquisitions: Adaptive Materials (AMI) for $23 million cash plus another $5 million based on future performance, and 3e Technologies International, for $30 million. AMI designs and makes propane fuel cells suitable to power small UAs demanding 50W-300W power, and
Business
The Swedish aerial video exploitation software firm Imint and US-based L-3 Communications Systems-West, a leader in high-speed digital communication systems that connect air, space and ground systems, are partnering to provide enhanced video intelligence exploitation from airborne surveillance. L-3 Communication Systems-West will offer Imint’
Business
Steve Sliwa, chief executive of Insitu Inc., a subsidiary of The Boeing Co., will retire April 1 after 10 years with the company. A replacement is currently being sought. Insitu was founded in 1994. Sliwa, the company’s fourth employee, expanded the company to more than 700 workers, reaching $128
Business
AeroVironment, Inc. has announced that it received a firm fixed-price order valued at $7,800,003 under an existing contract with the U.S. Army on January 25, 2011. The order comprises 919 digital module upgrade kits for the U.S. Marine Corps. The upgrade kits allow digital Raven
Business
UK extreme engineering specialist Magna Parva, known for its Payload Release Devices for UAS, has appointed Chris Day to head up its defence business. The appointment will boost the company’s expertise in unmanned aircraft systems, a field of increasing focus for Magna Parva. His previous position was VP ISTAR