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
Ground Segment Upgrade Is Latest for RQ-4 Global Hawk
Raytheon will install modernized 'building-based' ground stations for the Global Hawk at Beale and Grand Forks air force bases.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Stemme Subsidiary Ramps Up for Patroller Production
Ecarys will deliver 15 ES15 fixed-wing airframes to France's Sagem, which will convert them into the unmanned Patroller for the French army.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Predator Bs Tested for Ballistic Missile Defense
General Atomics said two MQ-9 Predator Bs participated in the Pacific Dragon naval exercise off Hawaii in late June.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Navy Deploys Puma UAS From Patrol Ships, Destroyers
The hand-launched drone supports surface ships that do not have their own organic helicopter or aircraft capability, according to the Navy.
Safety
Aero-Photos Opts for Wyvern Exact UAV Audit
Exact program helps UAV end-users make informed decisions about the quality and safety commitment of UAV operators.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Army Evaluates One of a New Breed of Tethered Drones
The Army's Rapid Equipping Force will study the CyPhy Works Persistent Aerial Reconnaissance and Communications System, a tethered hexrotor.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Facebook Reveals First Flight of Solar-Powered Aquila Drone
The social networking company is developing the high-flying aircraft to close gaps in global Internet coverage.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
The Commercial Applications—and Considerations—of Flying Small Drones
AIN looks at the biggest opportunities for growth in small-drone flying.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Versatile UAV Launched by Thales
The Fulmar has been selected by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, which is buying six systems to equip fast patrol craft.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Lightweight EW Protection for UAVs
Elbit Systems and Sigint–Elisra have developed a very lightweight self-protection/jamming system particularly suited to unmanned air vehicles.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Leonardo-Finmeccanica Lands First Two Customers for Falco Evo UAV
The manufacturer did not identify those first two customers during the announcement at the Farnborough Airshow.
Avionics
Israel Aerospace Industries, Honeywell develop UAS ‘Sense and Avoid’ System
Israel Aerospace Industries and avionics manufacturer Honeywell will jointly develop a “sense-and-avoid”.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Textron and Thales Unleash UAV-delivered Fury
The 13-pound Fury munition has been designed for UAVs like Textron’s Shadow.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Brazilian Hunter Takes Flight
Having supported Brazil’s Herons for some years, Avionics Services has now developed a version of the air vehicle tailored to Brazilian needs.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Rafael Tackles Drone Menace
Small drones have become a major threat to military/security forces and high-value targets. Drone Dome has been developed to defeat them.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Saab Keeps Hand in Unmanned Systems
UMS Skeldar stake has helped Saab keep a stake in unmanned systems while focusing on Gripen export customers.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
British Trio Offer Airport Defense Against Drones
AUDS system has been tested by U.S. government and is now to be tested by the FAA.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Book Review: Enter the Drones, The FAA and UAVs in America
There is nowhere you can find the curious and circuitous story about the civil use of unmanned aircraft, except in this new non-fiction book.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Taranis Flight Test Details Described
New details of how the all-British UCAV was demonstrated have been revealed.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
NASA-led Effort Advances Future of Unmanned Aircraft
Flight tests involving the General Atomics-built Ikhana Predator B are supporting the development of minimum operational performance standards
Rotorcraft
Mercy Flights Helo Takes Evasive Action To Avoid Drone
The helicopter was en route to pick up a patient in Yreka, Calif., and none of the crew on board was injured.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Coast Guard Orders ScanEagle Surveillance Service
Institu formally becomes the first provider of unmanned aircraft system surveillance services to the U.S. maritime service.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA Issues 'Part 107' Final Regulation for Commercial Drones
More than a decade and several iterations in the making, Part 107 allows the operation of small unmanned aircraft systems for business purposes.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA Steps Up Research of Drone Countermeasures
The agency has signed cooperative research and development agreements to test counter-drone systems from several companies at selected airports.
Accidents
Piaggio UAS Prototype Crashes, Financial Picture Fuzzy
Crash of its P.1HH Hammerhead UAS on May 31 did not cause casualties or damage to maritime craft.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
AeroVironment Unveils Tethered and Sub-Launched Drones
The Pentagon is evaluating the 'Tether Eye' tethered drone to combat terrorism. The Navy will equip submarines with tube-launched 'Blackwing.'
Charter & Fractional
Wyvern Assesses UAV Safety As Service Portfolio Grows
The aviation risk management and safety auditing firm provides accreditation standards to burgeoning new unmanned segment.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Guide Shows How Flight Departments Can Integrate UASs
Resource from NBAA provides background information on small unmanned aerial systsmes and a checklist for vetting sUAS service providers.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Lancair Evolution Fills Drone Flying Role
Spectral Sky is adapting the Lancair Evolution kitbuilt composite airplane to manned and unmanned UAS operations.
Safety
Counter-UAS System on the Horizon
A system now under development could help protect rotorcraft operators from rogue drones.
