Military
The Lockheed Martin Skunk Works has revealed plans for a next-generation, high-altitude intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) platform that could replace the U-2 and Global Hawk from 2025. The company has launched an internally-funded study of a stealthy jet designated the TR-X that might also carry alternative payloads such as
VTOL
Finmeccanica-AgustaWestland has announced that it has completed the U.K. Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) Rotary Wing Unmanned Aerial System (RWUAS) Capability Concept Demonstration (CCD) contract it was awarded in 2013, including 27 hours of demonstration flying and 22 automatic simulated deck landings using its SW-4 RUAS Solo technology demonstrator.
Business
The Indian government has quietly approved the purchase of 10 missile-armed UAS from Israel — a crucial acquisition that will enhance India's cross-border military strike capability. The $400-million proposal for buying armed Heron TP UAS from Israel was cleared last week.These aircraft will be operated by the Indian
Military
Russia is developing a heavy drone that could be used both as reconnaissance and combat aircraft, one of its designers said in an interview Wednesday. The two ton Avius-1 UAV will bristle with hi-tech gear including an on-board radar and a satellite communications system, Igor Bevzyuk, deputy director of the
Events
BlueBird Aero Systems unveiled the enhanced version of its ThunderB tactical unmanned air vehicle at the AUS&R 2015 conference in Israel. The long-endurance ThunderB weighs around 28kg (61lb), and according to its Israeli developer creates a new niche in the tactical UAV sector because it has capabilities previously
Military
Pakistan announced the successful deployment of its home-made 'Burraq' UAS in combat, which delivered laser-guided missiles to kill at least three suspected militants in the restive northwest. The deployment of the missile-firing drone will add a new dimension to the threat to India from its hostile neighbor, which
Business
Elbit Systems Ltd. announced that it was awarded a contract from a European country to supply an Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)-based cutting-edge intelligence solution. Valued at approximately $78 million, the contract will be performed over a two-year period by Elbit Systems’ ISTAR Division, established several months ago, as a
Business
The annual report of South Africa's Denel group states that its Seeker 400 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system has completed its flight test programme and has entered production for "our local customer". The South African Air Force has not confirmed that it is re-establishing a UAV
Military
Most of what was learned at this year’s Black Dart counter-drone exercise will remain classified, but it proved that one of the oldest and deadliest weapons in the U.S. arsenal works against the 21st Century threat of drones, too. “The Marine sniper shot from a UH-1Y Huey,” Lt.
Military
Drones that can be launched from military transport and fighter aircraft are the subject of a new project of the US Defence Advanced Projects Agency (DARPA). For decades, U.S. military air operations have relied on increasingly capable multi-function manned aircraft to execute critical combat and non-combat missions. Adversaries’ abilities
Events
WB Electronics and Thales unveiled at Poland’s MSPO exhibition, their exclusive tactical unmanned aircraft system for the Polish Gryf requirement. The WB Electronics/Thales solution offers a capability that fully meets the Gryf requirements for an armed unmanned aircraft system, and delivers the capability through full Polish industrial collaboration.
Military
Two MQ-1 Predator remotely piloted aircraft (RPAs) and approximately 70 Airmen from the 147th Reconnaissance Wing of the Texas Air National Guard based at Ellington Field, Houston, Texas, deployed to Lielvarde Air Base, Latvia over the weekend. This temporary deployment of aircraft and personnel, which continues through mid-September, will test