Military
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has launched a small, armed, unmanned helicopter which it hopes could prove attractive to Middle Eastern countries as an attractive alternative to the products being produced in Israel. The R-IHA – the Turkish acronym for rotary-wing UAS – was launched at the Paris Air Show last
Military
Poland is expected to begin the selection process for a medium-altitude long-endurance unmanned aircraft system next year. Sources at the Paris Air Show said that three Israeli manufacturers will offer products. The Polish defence department is preparing the tender that will initially include between two and four systems.
Military
A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force aircraft spotted an unmanned aircraft in the air when a Chinese naval fleet was sailing in the eastern Philippine Sea on a recent training operation, passing between Miyakojima and the main island of Okinawa, This is the first confirmed sighting of a Chinese UAS.
Military
AME Unmanned Air Systems displayed the Fury 1500 Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (STUAS) for the first time at the Paris Air Show 2011. The aircraft has recently demonstrated flying powered by a heavy fuel engine. The use of JP8 significantly increases the capability of the system, decreasing the logistical
Military
Innocon's MicroFalcon mini unmanned aircraft system has completed flight testing as it nears delivery to the Peruvian army. The MicroFalcon is a mini UAS with a duration of up to 4h and ceiling of 15,000ft (4,580m). "The MicroFalcon has demonstrated its long-endurance, wide-area
Military
Raytheon Company has been awarded a one-year subcontract worth $24.7 million for support services of the ground station elements of the RQ-4 Global Hawk high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft system. Work under this contract will provide field support services to the mission control and launch and
Military
The British Army will be ready to start using its first Watchkeeper tactical unmanned aircraft in Afghanistan this December, following the completion of operational field trials that will commence in October. Major Matt Moore, from the army's headquarters directorate, Royal Artillery, said one operational "task line"
Military
Aeronautics Ltd. has delivered the first Orbiter 3 Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (STUAS) to a first undisclosed customer. "The Orbiter 3 STUAS brings to the unmanned systems market capabilities that did not exist previously" said Ran Carmeli, Head of the Aerial Division at Aeronautics. "A field
Military
The Fire Scout, managed by Navy and Marine Corps Multi-Mission Tactical Unmanned Air Systems programme office (PMA-266), deployed in late April to CENTCOM in response to a DoD ISR Task Force request to provide ISR services in northern Afghanistan. In nine months, PMA-266, in conjunction with ISR
Military
Two unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) could be scaled back next year despite a deployment surge to Afghanistan under a new version of the Fiscal 2012 spending bill. Purchases of the Northrop Grumman MQ-8B, the vertical-takeoff unmanned aerial vehicle (VTUAV) operated by the US Navy, would decline by 12
Military
Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter has sliced 11 Block 30 Global Hawks from the planned buy of 42, further reducing the total number of the aircraft in the project only months after the U.S. Air Force cut 11 from the Block 40 programme. The decision is outlined in a
Military
The CIA is expected to begin operating armed unmanned aircraft over Yemen, expanding the hunt for al-Qaeda operatives in a country where counter-terrorism efforts have been disrupted by political chaos, U.S. officials said. The plan to move CIA-operated Predator and other unmanned aircraft into the region