Testing
Raytheon Company completed laboratory integration and testing of its Small Tactical Munition Phase II configuration, setting the stage for flight tests later this year. The new configuration is smaller, more affordable and fits in common launch tube. STM Phase II is a new 12-pound, 21.5-inch long, precision-guided, gravity-dropped bomb
Military
Insitu Inc. announced that its ScanEagle has been assisting U.S. and NATO Forces in their mission to protect civilians and reduce the flow of arms to Libya. During a 72-hour counter-terrorism surge supporting Operation Unified Protector (OUP), the ScanEagle UAS was operated organically aboard USS Mahan (DDG 72) to
Military
Focusing on a range of systems complementing unmanned aircraft systems, RAFAEL Advanced Defense Systems is introducing a range of hardware and software systems, supporting UAS missions. Among such systems are the Reccelite and Recce-U reconnaissance pods, optimized for Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) missions, and a new version of the
Military
The US Air Force has accepted that four Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Block 30 unmanned aircraft are now ready to maintain one orbit of continuous surveillance over a 30-day period. That declaration on 12 August of initial operational capability (IOC) means the programme has overcome some of the USAF's
Military
The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin a $47 million contract to develop, demonstrate and deliver autonomous technologies for unmanned air systems in support of in-theater unmanned cargo resupply missions. Under the contract, Lockheed Martin and Kaman Aerospace will demonstrate intelligent autonomous technologies for unmanned aerial systems using the K-MAX
Military
AeroVironment, Inc. announced that it has received a firm-fixed-price contract delivery order valued at $65,532,394 for new digital Puma All Environment (AE) unmanned aircraft systems and initial spares packages. The items were procured through the existing United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) All Environment Capable Variant (AECV) indefinite
Military
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. announced that the U.S. Navy recently awarded the company a study contract to support pre-Milestone A activities for the service’s Unmanned Carrier-Launched Airborne Surveillance and Strike (UCLASS) programme. This study contract supports the UCLASS programme’s pre-Milestone A programme activities. “We’re pleased
Military
Swedish aerospace firm Saab is taking on U.S. defense industry heavyweight Boeing and other American firms to land the rights to a lucrative Navy unmanned aircraft deal. Partnered with prime contractor Computer Science Corporation, Saab is pitching its Skeldar vertical-lift unmanned aircraft for the Navy's Close-Range Intelligence,
Military
China's first aircraft carrier returned to its base after completing a four-day maiden voyage to test its system and capabilities. Li Jie, a researcher of the China Navy Military Academy, said that some unmanned aircraft might have landed on the carrier. The carrier, refitted from an imported platform
Military
The US Navy has confirmed that it is joining forces with the US Army to buy dozens of a new class of medium-sized, unmanned helicopter that could be mustered into service within five years, according to an acquisition document. The agreement between the services combines requirements for the navy'
Military
RSK MiG will work together with Sukhoi on a future unmanned combat aircraft, using experience gained on its Skat programme. The Skat design was demonstrated to a small group of Russian media at the MAKS air show in Moscow in 2007, and until recently was thought to have been shelved.
Military
The Israeli army has stepped up its military activities in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan Region and is planning to station a number of unmanned aircraft in the area in northern Iraq in cooperation with the Kurdistan Democratic Party. Four of the aircraft will be stationed at the Khalidiyah airbase