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.
Security
FAA To Evaluate Drone-mitigation Technology
The FAA will evaluate at least 10 drone mitigation technologies/systems at its William J. Hughes Technical Center in New Jersey.
Rotorcraft
K-Max Leaps From Unmanned to Autonomous Operations
Near Earth Autonomy and Kaman Aerospace have developed an intelligent autonomy system for the K-Max helicopter.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Agencies Issue Advisory on Drone Mitigation
A new advisory issued jointly by four U.S. federal agencies provides "legal landscape" on drone mitigation technology.
Security
U.S. Nears Law Banning Chinese Drones
An amendment to ban U.S. government use of Chinese drones appears almost certain to become law within weeks.
Aircraft
Icarus Launches Optionally-Piloted Multi-Role Aircraft
The TAV/Wasp can be tailored to a wide variety of roles, offering turboprop efficiency for many combat and surveillance tasks.
Aircraft
Emergency First Response Could Boost Urban Air Mobility
Some eVTOL aircraft pioneers see first-response emergency services as a strong early use case for urban air mobility operations.
Aircraft
Sabrewing Aims To Start Flight Tests for Rhaegal eVTOLs
Type certification plans for the first Rhaegal eVTOL aircraft have been pushed back into the first quarter of 2022.
Rotorcraft
NASA Chief: Uncrewed Aircraft 'Safer'
The agency's administrator touts advanced UAM technologies.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Urban Air Mobility Holds Promise of Future Efficiency
The challenge of bringing urban air mobility vehicles to market is making a lot of smart people work very hard on solutions.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Project Mosquito: UK’s ‘Loyal Wingman’ Program Moves Ahead
The UK’s defense laboratory is overseeing a project to develop unmanned vehicles to partner with manned combat aircraft.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UK Ministry of Defence Signs First Protector Order
The RAF plans to operate 16 Protector remotely piloted aircraft, which are based on the General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Swiss Researchers Develop Fast 'Detect and Avoid' Tech
New detect and avoid technology identifies other fast-moving objects in as little as 3.5 milliseconds.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
StormBreaker Set For Super Hornet
The GBU-53 is currently the only weapon in the U.S. inventory that can hit moving targets at night and in visually-obscured conditions.
Rotorcraft
Unmanned Civil K-Max Helicopter To Deliver in 2021
Kaman Aerospace has already received commitments for its first five unmanned K-1200 K-Max helicopter kits for civil operators.
Rotorcraft
K-Max Operators Awarded Key Firefighting Contracts
Forty percent of all Type 1, large helicopters exclusive use USFS firefighting contracts awarded to Kaman K-Max operators.
Rotorcraft
Perot Pushes Alliance as eVTOL Hub
Perot promotes Fort Worth Alliance airport complex as home for UAS, eVTOL development.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Wing Drone Delivery Service Helping Deliver Critical Supplies During Covid-19 Crisis - AIN
Wing Drone Delivery Service Helping Deliver Critical Supplies During Covid-19 Crisis - AIN
Aircraft
Wing Drone Deliveries Support Social Distancing
Wing's 10-pound drone delivers three-pound packages containing items such as medications on round trips of up to 12 miles at speeds of up to 70 mph.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Navy Orders More Test Stingrays from Boeing
With three more MQ-25As being ordered, Boeing now has seven of the unmanned carrierborne tankers on contract.
Training and Workforce
Leonardo To Offer RUAS Training
Leonardo is expanding its training offerings to include rotorcraft UAS.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
SDC Session Explores Combining Drones, Flight Department
Bryan Williams, Duke Energy’s manager of unmanned aerial systems, explained the integration of his program into the corporate flight department.
Aircraft
U.S. Military Exploring eVTOL Solution to Resupplying Troops
The U.S. military is investing in eVTOL aircraft technology that it believes could reduce risks associated with moving cargo in combat zones.
Rotorcraft
Bristow Partners With Schiebel for UK SAR
Helicopter operator Bristow has partnered with Schiebel to conduct the first trial in the UK of unmanned aircraft for maritime and land search and rescue.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
EAA to FAA: Remote ID Rule Threatens Model Flying
EAA said the FAA’s proposed rule for UAS aircraft to have remote ID is an “overreaching answer” to integrating UAS aircraft into national airspace.
Aircraft
Fighter-bombers and Anka UAVs Downed as Turkey and Syria Exchange Blows
An escalation in fighting between Turkish and Assadist forces has resulted in a number of air vehicles—both manned and unmanned—being shot down.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Innovative UAV Technology Helps Syrian Army Offensive in Idlib
The Russian army is employing small UAVs to find targets and then provide designation for attack by laser-guided shells.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Readying Drones To Screen for Deadly Diseases
Draganfly is evaluating a sensors and AI software that could be used to screen crowds for symptoms of dangerous contagions.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Airbus Signs Collaboration for Singapore Mobility
Airbus and Singapore's aviation regulator are working together on developing urban air mobility to Singapore.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Community Acceptance Key To UAM Market
Community acceptance will be the key driver when it comes to urban air mobility.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
EOS Remote Weapon Can Counter Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
The EOS R400S-Mk2 remote weapon system with a 30 mm ATK M230 LF cannon will be mounted on a THeMis unmanned ground vehicle.
