Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA Restricts Drone Flights Over Landmarks as Concern Mounts
Federal agencies expect to face the prospect of terrorists using drones in the U.S. 'imminently,' FBI Director Christopher Wray told Congress.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Army Confirms Black Hawk, Drone Collided Over New York City
One of two U.S. Army Black Hawks providing security for the United National General Assembly meeting collided with a drone over Staten Island.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Australian Military Revises Small Drone Operating Procedures
The revised procedures are a response to the U.S. Army's instructions in August to discontinue using Chinese-manufactured DJI drones.
Rotorcraft
Armed VTOL Machine at Helicopter Show In China
The event in Tianjing also produced news on the Sino-Russian Advanced Heavy Lift helicopter.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
GAO: Pentagon Confirms Requirements for Navy's MQ-25
Following program restructuring last year, the MQ-25 wil be a carrier-based aerial refueling drone with limited ISR capabilities.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Large Tech Companies Ascendant in Emerging Drone Industry
Intel, other technology companies prominent as drone industry awaits new rules for flights over people, beyond visual line of sight.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
New Airbus Venture Fuses Satellite and Drone Data
The company aggregates data to simplify access to information for the customer.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Honeywell Announces Inspection Service Using Intel's Drone
The 'InView' service will support critical structure inspections by utility, energy and oil and gas companies, Honeywell said.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
DHS, Other Agencies Seek Law Changes To Intercept Drones
Interagency working groups reporting to the National Security Council have asked Congress to change wiretap and other prohibitions.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Under Trump Administration, U.S. Reviews Drone Export Policy
The U.S. is preparing a white paper that is expected to argue that UAVs should be treated differently by Missile Technology Control Regime.
Rotorcraft
Uber Plans uUban eVTOL Network
Such a network can reduce noise, congestion and emissions, says Uber.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
General Atomics Readies Extended Range MQ-1C Gray Eagle
The manufacturer will stop building the legacy Gray Eagle this year and begin delivering the MQ-1C ER version in 2018.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
New Buyers, Missions Seen for Jet-Powered Avenger, MQ-9B
An unidentified foreign nation has an interest in acquiring 90 jet-powered Predator C Avenger unmanned aircraft, according to General Atomics.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
General Atomics: UK Protector Advances Civil Certification Effort
Military certification of the Protector variant of the MQ-9B unmanned aircraft is expected in 2021-2022, followed by civil certification.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
USSOCOM Plans 'ThunderDrone' Technology Demonstration
The exercise beginning in September will evaluate small drones and swarming applications in an indoor test range.
Aircraft
Russia’s First MALE UAV Is Revealed
The Predator-like Orion MALE UAV faces an uncertain future, as its maker struggles for funding.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Air Force Begins Training on New MQ-9 Reaper Block 5
Airmen at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico describe the Block 5 Reaper and new Block 30 ground control station.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Army Grounds DJI Drones Over 'Cyber Vulnerabilities'
The order, contained in an August 2 memorandum, suspends the use of products supplied by the leading manufacturer of small drones.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Former Drone Rivals DJI, 3D Robotics Link Product Offerings
Former drone manufacturer 3DR announced that its Site Scan aerial data software will now work with DJI's drones.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UK Transport Department Proposes Drone Users Registry
Once approved by Parliament, the registration scheme would apply to owners of drones weighing 250 grams and above.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA's Drone Advisory Committee Lacks Buy-In By Cities, States
Major associations representing city and state governments have passed on joining a 'roles and responsibilities' task group.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Airbus 'Sagitta' Unmanned Demonstrator Makes First Flight
The former EADS Cassidian business, later Airbus Defence, launched the Sagitta research project in 2010.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Drones Making Inroads in Commercial Segment
Rules are evolving as the technology does.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Piaggio Resumes Flight Testing of Unmanned HammerHead
A second prototype of the unmanned P.180 Avanti derivative returned to flight test status after a first prototype crashed in May 2016.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Military Budgets More for Small Unmanned Aircraft Services
The Naval Air Systems Command and Special Operations Command have awarded IDIQ contracts of $1.7 billion and $475 million, respectively.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
General Atomics Rolls Out Improved Ground Station for Reaper
Plans call for the Block 50 Advanced Cockpit Ground Control Station to replace existing ground stations for U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reapers.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA Offers To Delete Names, Refund Drone Hobbyists
Complying with a federal appellate court ruling, the agency will delete the information it has collected on drone hobbyists—at their request.
Safety
Portugal Studies Near Midairs Involving Drones
Safety study will examine recent incidents involving the presence of drones in aircraft flight paths near Portuguese airports.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA Still Taking Names for Drone Registry after Court Ruling
The agency is considering legal or legislative options after a federal appellate court said its registry for drone hobbyists is unlawful.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Textron Systems, Boeing Win U.S. Special Ops Tasking Contracts
The Mid-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems III program has a potential value of $475 million.
