Testing
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. has announced that it has successfully completed fuselage structural integrity testing of its Certifiable Predator B (CPB) RPA. “Completion of this testing signifies that the design of the new fuselage will be able to meet the strict requirements for type-certification and routine operations in
Business
Kratos Defense is gaining ground in the unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) market traditionally dominated by the world’s largest defence firms and privately-held General Atomics Aeronautical Systems in the USA, having captured at least one significant classified contract and most recently winning a place on the US Defense
Military
At the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit AeroVironment, Inc. announced it has developed a block upgrade, designated Block 10C, to its already fielded Switchblade Tactical Missile system. The Digital Data Link (DDL) incorporated into Block 10C provides a stable and secure encrypted communication link that enables more efficient use of
Business
Arcturus UAV reports that the Mexican Navy has deployed their T-20 JUMP Fixed Wing VTOL UAV for unspecified operations in Mexico. The customer took delivery of the VTOL system in March. The T-20 JUMP is a VTOL variant of Arcturus UAV’s catapult launched T-20 platform. The
Propulsion
The Russian Defense Ministry has commenced flight tests of the UAE-made United 40 military unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), a source familiar with the situation told RIA Novosti. Adcom Systems, the manufacturer of the medium altitude long endurance (MALE) UAVs, announced arrangements to supply the United 40 to Russia in
Business
The new Protector unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to be fielded by the United Kingdom has been revealed as the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) Certifiable Predator B (CPB), a Ministry of Defence (MoD) contract notification has shown. According to a justification for a sole-source award notification published
Military
The inaugural launch of a ScanEagle unmanned aerial vehicle in Helmand, Afghanistan marked new intelligence gathering capability for the Afghan National Defense and Security Forces. The Helmand ScanEagle site is the first of eight in Afghanistan that will be operational in the next two and a half years. “The ScanEagle
Military
Soldiers launch an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) carrying communication relay system during a training exercise. A communications regiment with the PLA Western Theater Command stationed in Chengdu, southwest China’s Sichuan Province, recently carried out a UAV flight training exercise in the west of Sichuan Province. Source: China Military
Electronic Sub-Systems
Turkey’s procurement agency has launched a competition promoting domestic development of key sub-systems used in drones. The Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) said some of the systems it wants to develop domestically include turboprop engines, spare cruise systems, perceive-and-avoid systems, wide band satellite communication systems, automatic
Military
The U.S. Air Force is developing new computer algorithms to allow fighter pilots to control armed drones from inside their own cockpits. The goal of the so-called “Loyal Wingman” initiative is to pair up manned, fifth-generation stealth fighters with unmanned versions of older jets — in order to
Military
The Australian Navy put the word out a request for tender for a rotary wing UAS with a strong focus on ISR. Whilst the tender closed on April 11, it’s still worth looking at who’s in the mix. The two most likely contenders in this market are the
Business
Washington has vetoed any further sales of Israeli-made unmanned air vehicles to Russia. For several months Russian companies have contacted Israeli manufacturers in an attempt to reach joint venture agreements. However after checking with the Israeli defence ministry about the potential of formalising any such pact, it became obvious