News
The US Department of Defense (DoD) is to soon publish a new unmanned systems roadmap meant to guide industry for future investments and technology development. The roadmap, to be approved by the Pentagon's acquisition office and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is slated to be published by the
Military
The US Air Force wants to go beyond the traditional ground control station controlling a single aircraft and manage swarms of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) with the wave of a hand. Col Brandon Baker envisions a future where swarms of UAVs operate independent of a ground station, he told an
Regulations
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) began issuing Part 107 waivers and airspace authorizations to drone operators starting August 29, 2016, the effective date of the new rule. As of October 24, 2016, the agency has approved 81 authorizations for flights in Class D and E airspace, and has issued 36
Military
The Engineering Center of Russia's Samara region has designed a prototype of an ultra-light reconnaissance UAV that weighs only 600 grams. It will be possible to launch the drone by tossing it in the air. "The Engineering Center of the Samara region has developed a prototype of
Technology
Everything that flies must eventually land. Unless, say, it’s an all-electric drone that can recharge while in flight. Researchers at Imperial College London have demonstrated a way to transfer electricity wireless to a flying drone. Even better: they did so building on a concept pioneered by Nikola Tesla.The
News
The US Marine Corps envisions the rapid fielding of unmanned systems as a vital component in its drive to revitalize maneuver warfare to counter the development of advanced defensive weapons by potential adversaries, Lt. Gen. Robert Walsh, the deputy commandant for combat development and integration, said Oct. 25. It also
Military
BrockTek, an engineering and manufacturing company specializing in unmanned systems, subsystems and components, recently introduced a new UAS to market – the STORM – a small tactical UAS that comes as a complete solution to serve a variety of missions. As a small business, BrockTek believes in employing the highest levels of
Commercial
A new drone company has taken flight on Tyneside which aims to save the oil and gas industry millions. Inspect Air, based in Whitley Bay, North Tyneside, carries out aerial inspection surveying and photography using Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). The company was launched by three local offshore engineers Marc Shafto,
Business
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Poway, California was awarded a $310,000,000 cost-plus-incentive-fee contract for logistics support of the MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system sustainment operations. Bids were solicited on the Internet with one received. Work will be performed in Poway, California, with an estimated completion date of Oct.
Military
The Navy will stand up its first unmanned-only aviation squadron this week, as the MQ-4C Triton community establishes its first operational squadron in a ceremony Friday, the Navy’s director of air warfare told USNI News. Unmanned Patrol Squadron (VUP) 19 will operate out of Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.
News
The Supreme Administrative Court of Sweden has banned the use of camera-equipped drones without a permit, overturning a previous decision to not consider them surveillance equipment. Aerial footage and photography professionals and enthusiasts have been dealt a heavy blow in Sweden. The Supreme Administrative Court has established that drones equipped
C-UAS
The U.S. Air Force recently zapped an Islamic State drone with an electronic weapon, the service’s top civilian said. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James on Monday said the service targeted a small, weaponized drone operated by militants “a week or two ago” because it was responsible for