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
U.S. Agencies Support Counter-Drone Technology Efforts
While one company has released a 'SkyTracker' system to protect airports from drones, MITRE Corporation will award cash for further solutions.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Global Hawks Will be Upgraded With Weather Radar
Garmin said Northrop Grumman has selected its GSX 70 weather radar to equip U.S. Air Force RQ-4 Global Hawks.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA Says It Is Moving Quickly on Drone Registry
Recommendations call for registry to apply to small UAS that weigh more than 250 grams and up to 55 pounds.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Drone Manufacturer DJI Unveils Dynamic Geofencing System
Verified users will be able to unlock the Geospatial Environment Online system as needed in some locations, DJI said.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Drones at NBAA 2015? You bet!
UAS manufacturer Sensurion selects Robotic Skies as its global field service provider.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Bringing Drone Legalities Down to Earth
Global Aerospace and Dentons collaborated on white paper that addresses drone insurance and legal issues.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Agency Talks Could Lead to Larger NASA Role on Drones
The space agency and the FAA are discussing a joint approach to managing the entry of small drones into the airspace system.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Mini-UAS Maps Buildings In Dubai
Lockheed Martin demonstrated the Indago quadrotor UAS equipped with an EO/IR payload over Dubai.
Rotorcraft
Pilot Is Optional For Certain Missions
Technology demonstrator is showing that flying a helicopter without a pilot could be feasible for some missions.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Stratasys Prints, Builds, Flies A UAV
The additive manufacturing pioneer Stratasys “printed” a flyable UAV and added engine and electronics, to demonstrate what could be done.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Adcom’s Wings Could Fly Over Wales
The eagle-eyed will have noticed a Welsh flag on the rear fuselage of Adcom Systems’ new Yabhon Flash-20 UAV.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
General Atomics Plans Predator XP Deliveries to UAE
Unarmed UAV sale approved by U.S. congress.
Aircraft
India’s Own MALE UAV To Fly Soon
Long-winged design named Rustom will carry various ISR payloads
Aircraft
European Maritime Agency Demo for Portuguese UAV
Tekever’s AR5 Evolution will aid SAR and pollution monitoring during the two-year Project Rapsody.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Army Aerostat Escapes Mooring Station, Causes Havoc
The runaway airship was one of two aerostats comprising the Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor system.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA Names Members of National Drone Registry Task Force
Supplemented by several federal agencies, the group is tasked with developing recommendations for the drone registry in three weeks.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
AOPA, NBAA Join UAS Registry Task Force
Task force has until November 20 to recommend a registry framework.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Industry Partners Test Drone Airspace Management System
The Low Altitude Traffic and Airspace Safety system is being assessed by the FAA and NASA's Unmanned Aerial System Traffic Management program.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Transportation Department Plans National Drone Registry
The department has appointed a task force to develop a registration process by year-end for recreational users of small unmanned aircraft.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UK Conducts First Large Drone Flight in Unrestricted Airspace
The Thales Watchkeeper unmanned aircraft flew for three and a half hours over Wales, including for one hour within non-segregated airspace.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
NBAA: 'Urgent Need' for FAA To Issue Small UAS Rules
Agency issued a proposed framework earlier this year, though a final rule isn’t expected until next year.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UAS Business Park Signs General Atomics, Northrop Grumman
General Atomics plans to open an unmanned aircraft training academy, joining Northrop Grumman as tenants of the Grand Sky Technology Park.
Regulations and Government
FAA Levies Record Fine against UAS Operator
The $1.9 million fine, which eclipsed the previous record of $19,000, was levied against Chicago-based aerial photographer SkyPan International.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Preliminary Standards Released for Large Unmanned Aircraft
Standards organization RTCA publishes 'interim' standards for unmanned aircraft detect-and-avoid and command and control functions.
Regulations and Government
Torqued: Unreasonable UAS Rules Promote Culture of Non-compliance
By not issuing reasonable rules for drones, the FAA is making their operators comfortable with not having to follow any rules.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
India Seeks To Strengthen Unmanned Fleet with Heron UAVs
The large Israel Aerospace Industries reconnaissance drone will serve 'as a deterrent,' according to an Indian Air Force official.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
NASA, FAA Discuss Formal Collaboration on Small Drones
The two agencies would meet under the auspices of standards organization RTCA to develop performance standards for small commercial drones.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA Names Two Executives to Head Unmanned Aircraft Effort
Gibson and Lawrence replace the former manager of the FAA's Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Office, formed in 2012.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Airline Pilots Union: Drones Could be Link in Accident Chain
The Air Line Pilots Association supports legislation that would give the FAA more power to regulate recreational drones.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Northrop Grumman, Navy Demonstrate MQ-8C Endurance
Operators flew the unmanned helicopter out to 150 nm from Point Mugu, California. It completed 11-hour flight with an hour of fuel in reserve.
