Military
The Italian Air Force’s first two of six General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Predator B unmanned aircraft will reach initial operational capability during July, ahead of a possible decision to make them available to support NATO’s operation Unified Protector. Preparations to field the medium-altitude, long-endurance
Military
Unmanned aircraft system manufacturers see new hope for near-term sales, despite the US Air Force's decision to delay fielding a replacement for the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper until at least 2018. The company has launched a new marketing campaign that describes the stealthy, jet-
Testing
Operators of the Navy’s experimental unmanned helicopter were unable to complete a single practice mission at Webster Field in St. Inigoes this year before deploying with the system to Afghanistan, according to a Pentagon report released last month. The report, leaked last week, was compiled by Michael Gilmore, director
Military
A French Senate report advocating missile defence is proposing that France and Germany cooperate on the development of an unmanned aircraft-based infrared detection system. France would contribute its infrared detector experience, with Germany providing the high-altitude unmanned aircraft. The German air force has planned flight trials of the
Military
Afghan-Based Australian soldiers will get enhanced protection from a new $170 million US-designed unmanned aircraft system within months, Defence Materiel Minister Jason Clare confirmed last week. The catapult-launched Shadow 200 is a tactical unmanned aerial vehicle that will provide day and night surveillance. Its purchase, part of
Testing
Northrop Grumman and Cassidian have announced that the first EURO HAWK will land in Germany on July 19, 2011. The aircraft, which will take off from Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., is expected to touch down at the Manching Air Base at approximately 10:00 Central European Summer Time. Senior
Military
The US Army desires to obtain information on an affordable Counter Unmanned Aerial System (CUAS) Interceptor that provides protection against a primary threat set of tactical UAS, a secondary threat set of Cruise Missiles (CMs) and/or Rockets, Artillery, Mortars (RAM). The Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM), Aviation
Military
The US Army has issued an amendment to its RFI on MRMP VTOL UAS originally posted on June 27th responding to questions for clarification and extending the deadline to August 10, 2011. Department of the Army - Amendment to Request for Information - Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Project Office (PO) Medium Range
Military
DynCorp International is being awarded a $92,866,122 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract to provide organizational level maintenance and logistic support on all aircraft and support equipment for which the Naval Test Wing Atlantic has maintenance responsibility. This maintenance responsibility includes all rotary, fixed, lighter-than-air, and unmanned
Military
The Heron is set to continue service with the ADF in Afghanistan, after Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced a contract extension until the end of 2012. Currently operated by the RAAF’s 5 Flight with personnel from the RAAF and Australian Army, the Kandahar based Heron provides aerial
Military
The Pentagon has asked the U.S. Congress for the OK to shift more than $920 million for numerous intelligence efforts, including many military UAS programmes, according to Defense Department budget documents. The funding transfer request comes in addition to the more than $5 billion in transfers DoD has asked
Military
China may have used an unmanned aircraft called the Silver Eagle in a recent naval exercise over the South China Sea. According to a website sponsored by the People’s Liberation Army, tp.chinmil.com.cn, the twin-tailed design performed a simulated combat mission following its launch from the