VTOL
The US Navy’s (USN's) MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter programme is scheduled to begin its initial operational test and evaluation on 16 April, according to Captain Jeff Dodge, head of US Naval Air Systems Command’s office for Multi-Mission Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems (PMA-266). An initial operational
Military
The Australian Army has partnered with the Defence Innovation Hub to award three innovation contracts to Australian industry and research organisations to develop a next generation Small Unmanned Aerial System (SUAS) for use by Australian soldiers. Victoria's SYPAQ Systems and NSW' JAR Aerospace and the University of
Military
The Russian military has been jamming some U.S. military drones operating in the skies over Syria, seriously affecting American military operations, according to four U.S. officials. The Russians began jamming some smaller U.S. drones several weeks ago, the officials said, after a series of suspected chemical weapons
Business
The German Ministry of Defense is looking to reviving a multi-billion dollar deal for leasing Israel-built unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), after the Budget Committee in the German Parliament decided to postpone the acquisition in June 2017. The ministry is soon expected to request for a 1-billion-euro ($1.11 billion) funding
Business
XTEK Ltd has received a purchase order from the Australian Defence Force (ADF) worth A$1.4 million for additional WASP AE small unmanned aerial systems. The order includes associated after-market services including technical support, training and spare equipment. XTEK’s managing director Philippe Odouard said: “This win represents another
Military
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has announced that its Predator-series family of Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA), encompassing Predator, Predator B, Gray Eagle, and Avenger lines, has achieved a historic industry milestone: five million flight hours. The milestone was achieved on April 4, with 360,311 total missions completed and more
Weapons Systems / Lasers
AeroVironment, Inc. has announced the successful maritime demonstration of a Puma-Switchblade automated sensor-to-shooter (S2S) capability from a US Navy Coastal Riverine Craft for increased mission autonomy to counter threats. The tightly integrated walk-on/walk-off system uses existing RQ-20B Puma Block 2 - All Environment small UAS with the new Mantis
Business
US State Department officials approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Germany of MQ-4C Triton Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for an estimated cost of $2.5 billion. The prime contractor will be Northrop Grumman Corp. in Rancho Bernardo, California. They will be responsible for integration, installation and functional platform
Military
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has set a new endurance record with its Avenger Extended Range (ER) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA). On January 24-25, the next-generation Avenger ER flew 23.4 continuous hours in a representative Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) configuration while carrying out a simulated reconnaissance mission. This
Military
The US State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Kingdom of defense articles and services for continued follow-on support to the MQ-9 Reaper program for an estimated cost of $500 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress
Business
Poland has acquired the Insitu RQ-21A Blackjack small tactical unmanned aircraft system (STUAS). A USD 11.4 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) contract for one system was awarded to the Boeing subsidiary by the US Department of Defense (DoD) on 30 March. The system comprises an undisclosed number of air
Business
Italy’s Ministry of Defence last month sent an acquisition request to Parliament’s defense commission for 20 Piaggio Aerospace P.2HH drones, costing a total of €766 million (U.S. $951 million).The platform, dubbed the HammerHead, is an unmanned variant of the Piaggio Aerospace P180 business aircraft, which