Military
High over Alaska last summer, the Pentagon experimented with new, secret prototypes: Micro-drones that can be launched from the flare dispensers of moving F-16s and F/A-18 fighter jets. Canisters containing the tiny aircraft descended from the jets on parachutes before breaking open, allowing wings on each
Business
The US Army recently issued a request for information for small guided munitions that can be outfitted to rotary wing and unmanned aerial systems. Potential weapons systems (including launcher) must be precision capable and demonstrated at a minimum System Technology Readiness Level of 5: prototype demonstration in a relevant environment.
Military
Russia has revealed a new concept whereby a multicopter unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) has been adapted to the anti-tank role with the fitting of cameras and a shoulder-launched rocket system. The multicopter complex was unveiled at a military robot conference near Moscow. Consisting of several drones, the complex
Weapons Systems / Lasers
General Atomics is to start testing a potentially revolutionary weapon next month: a 150-kilowatt class laser. Several other companies are developing laser weapons and “we’re looking at all of them,” said Lt. Gen. Bradley Heithold, head of Air Force Special Operations Command, in an interview with Breaking Defense.
Weapons Systems / Lasers
At the US Army Maneuver-Fires Integrated Experiment (MFIX) held at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, Northrop Grumman Corporation's Venom demonstrated the ability to identify and track small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and to provide accurate targeting data while on the move. This targeting capability enabled other systems in the
Military
Spain has confirmed that it will eventually try to weaponise its future fleet of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper unmanned air vehicles, although the immediate priority is to bring the surveillance-only variant into operation. Madrid's programme to acquire a class III UAV for its air
Weapons Systems / Lasers
UVision has conducted a demonstration of its Hero 30 expendable unmanned air system in southern Israel for the US Army’s special operations command. US sources say that during the live demonstration, the Hero 30 hit its designated targets “with great accuracy”. The smallest version of a family of such
Weapons Systems / Lasers
The US Army is interested in new weapons options besides the Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire missile for its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-1C, and the service has asked industry to offer smaller, cheaper and more specialised alternatives as it considers a future requirement. The Gray Eagle currently carries
Weapons Systems / Lasers
Lockheed Martin begins production of a new generation of modular high power lasers this month. The first laser built using the modular technique will be a 60-kilowatt system for a U.S. Army vehicle. Production of the fiber modules laser will take place at Lockheed Martin’s Bothell, Washington
Weapons Systems / Lasers
Boeing’s Compact Laser Weapons System harnesses directed energy on its targets. The system recently reached a milestone at an exercise at Point Mugu, California, by tracking and disabling a moving, untethered unmanned aerial vehicle. The Compact Laser Weapons System is portable sets up quickly. Source: YouTube
Weapons Systems / Lasers
The High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator is on track to get a major upgrade and its sister laser, the Compact Laser Weapon System has just successfully shot down an unmanned aerial vehicle. Good news for those at Boeing who are hoping the Army, and others, pick up this technology. The
Weapons Systems / Lasers
Researchers at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejon, South Korea, analyzed the effects of resonance on a crucial component of a drone, its gyroscope.Their paper will be presented next week at the 24th USENIX Security Symposium in Washington, D.C. A gyroscope keeps a