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
Mid-Atlantic Drone Test Site Reports Progress
The six FAA test sites and UAS "Center of Excellence" will be holding public meetings over the next several weeks.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Indian Army Wants 600 Mini-UAV Systems
Foreign OEMs are teaming with Indian companies who will bid for the work.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA Details Bizjet Drone Encounters
The FAA released a list of more than 750 drone sightings, including several from business aircraft operators.
Rotorcraft
European Helo Operators Mull Using Drones
One Swiss helicopter operator studied and dismissed drones as a complement to its fleet.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA Warns Of Criminal Charges As UAS Sightings Spike
The FAA issued a stern warning about unauthorized drones use as the number of pilot sightings have already nearly tripled so far this year.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Indian Company Reveals UAV Partnership with AeroVironment
A development from the Raven, with some features of the Puma, will be produced in Bangalore by Dynamatic.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UAS Authorizations Top 1,000 Mark
The FAA in recent months began expediting approval process.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Law Firm Hires Former Leader of FAA's Drone Office
Williams was appointed to lead the FAA's newly created UAS Integration office in March 2012.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Agriculture Will Be Big, But Realtors, Others First to Use Drones
Real estate and other aerial photography applications of drones lead the first several hundred exemptions awarded by the FAA.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Chinese Manufacturer DJI Hires Prominent 'Drone Lawyer'
Known for challenging the FAA's first enforcement action against a drone operator, Schulman joins other experts hired by the drone industry.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Commerce Agency Plans Meetings on Drone Privacy
The NTIA will convene interested parties to develop best practices for drone 'privacy, accountability and transparency.'
Regulations and Government
FAA Reissues Order on Drones
The agency seeks to clarify the current guidance.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Thales, IAI Flight Test NATO-Standard Data Link on Heron
The companies said they conducted risk reduction flight tests in Israel of a Heron UAV equipped with a Thales-Elisra data link system.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Swiss Postal Service, Air Cargo Carrier Begin Drone Testing
Swiss Post and air cargo carrier Swiss WorldCargo will evaluate using the Matternet One quadcopter for delivering parcels.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Natural Gas Utility Starts Drone-Based Surveillance in France
GRTgaz selected aerial data collection firm Air Marine to operate monthly drone flights over gas pipeline in southwestern France.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Swedish Firm To Deliver First Drone Helicopter to China's AVIC
CybAero signed an agreement with Aviation Industry Corporation of China to deliver 70 APID One remotely piloted helicopter systems.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Australia Flies First Large Drone in Unrestricted Airspace
The Royal Australian Air Force started flying the IAI Heron at Rockhampton Airport in advance of a joint training exercise with U.S. military.
Regulations and Government
Aurora Flies Unmanned Centaur at New York Test Site
Aurora Flies Unmanned Centaur at New York Test Site
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Aurora Flies Unmanned Centaur at New York Test Site
The flights were the first involving a large fixed-wing aircraft at one of the FAA's six national UAS test sites, Aurora says.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Thales Displays Counter-UAV Work
French research project is concentrating on malicious flying of mini- and micro-UAVs against sensitive government, industry and military sites.
Regulations and Government
Indecision Renders European MALE UAV Virtually Impotent
Countries have not yet provided enough definition to allow the industrial team to proceed.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Sagem Pitches Patroller UAS To French Army
The self-funded system is based on a motor-glider, and first flew in 2008
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Airborne Concept offers air-droppable, electric UAV
Target applications for the ‘Drop n’ Drone’ are special military missions, and relief efforts.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Shooting Down Drones with Laser
Dramatic rise in small drones for civilian use has also introduced a new threat to political and other public figures.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Improved Skylark Draws on Hermes Technology
Elbit’s man-portable Skylark is one of the most popular mini-UASs on the market. The company has launched an improved version.
Aircraft
Optionally-piloted LHD Gains First Order
Company already has its first order and a pre-series batch of the aircraft is under construction.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Textron Awaits Key UAV Decisions
Textron’s UAV range is being considered for a number of competitions, including France’s tactical UAS requirement.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
CAE To Provide Predator Trainer for Italy’s Air Force
CAE and General Atomics developing the high-fidelity mission trainer specifically for Italian Air Force Predator A and MQ-9 Predator B.
Aircraft
The Revolutionary but Thorny U.S. Predator-Reaper Program
There are many improvements to the Reaper UAS that are being considered, while the Predator-C continues as a classified program.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UAS Conference in U.S. Ushers in New Drone Order
Upstart and legacy manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems exhibit side by side at AUVSI conference.
