VTOL
Improvised explosive devices have changed the way the Marine Corps engages hostile forces. The need has risen for supplies to reach the most remote parts of Afghanistan quickly, reliably and safely. Late last year, the Corps began experimenting with the K-MAX unmanned helicopter, able to transport large amounts of
Testing
BAE Systems is assessing software for unmanned aircraft that will operate with an unprecedented level of independence. The project, named Astraea, differs from the current UAS in use in Afghanistan, which are flown remotely by pilots on the ground. Instead the prototypes will follow a set of programmed instructions, with
Testing
Most aircraft slated to go onto aircraft carriers have to go through an electronic magnetic interference test that bathes the design in about 200 volts per meter. But the test platform for the Navy’s unmanned carrier-launched airborne surveillance and strike (Uclass) aircraft programme, will have to endure 10
Testing
They can be deployed as additional surveillance resources during major events, or as high-resolution 3D street imaging systems. Intelligent swarms of aerial drones are a universally useful tool for police, crisis managers and urban planners. Special 3D sensors developed by Fraunhofer researchers ensure flawless aerobatics and prevent collisions. Like
Testing
Imint demonstrated high level capabilities of video stabilization using their Ihvertsoftware, connected to output of Simlat's high fidelity STAR . Imint commented that by using Simlat's advanced systems, a highly-realistic payload picture was presented with some extreme conditions, and thus they were able to display the
Commercial
The Seattle Police Department recently demonstrated how it's newly acquired unmanned aircraft hovers and flies in a warehouse where police vehicles are stored.Officer Reuben Omelanchuk,one of department's two officers trained to fly the aircraft said: "It's very fun, but doing it
Testing
The North American X-10 (model RTV-A-5) was an unmanned technology demonstrator for advanced missile technologies during the 1950s. The X-10 was similar to the development of Bell's X-9 Shrike project. To facilitate development of the long-range SM-64 Navaho surface-to-surface
VTOL
Urban Aeronautics will soon perform the first flight of an AirMule ducted fan unmanned aircraft system fitted with a double-redundant hydraulic system. The enhancement will allow for uninterrupted rotor pitch control in the event of a failure to one of the pressure supply lines. The new design underwent full
VTOL
Within the framework of the EU project sFly, researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a new type of flying robot that can be navigated using only on-board cameras and a miniature computer. The micro helicopters require neither GPS nor remote control, thus reaching a new level of autonomy. Worldwide,
Testing
An unexpected degree of aero-shell degradation was "the most probable cause" of the premature flight termination of DARPA's Hypersonic Technology Vehicle during a flight over the Pacific Ocean last August, according to the findings of the agency's independent engineering review board. Following an
Testing
Inspired by a US Air Force defence programme, SelectTech Geospatial proved that an innovative company could make a UAS quickly and with limited resources. SelectTech’s test flight also marked the first time a 3D-printed UAS took off and landed on its own gear. This side project succeeded without
VTOL
The K-MAX cargo unmanned helicopter has impressed Marine Corps aviation leaders since the aircraft deployed to Afghanistan on Dec. 17, but the Marine Corps is not quite ready to give it the green light. One would expect that Afghanistan would be the ultimate test for a cargo helicopter considering