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
Echodyne To Power C-UAS Systems at Airports
Echodyne's EchoGuard compact 3D radar sensor now integrated into SRI's airfield radar system
Rotorcraft
UAVOS Fits Unmanned R22 for Aerial Application
UAVOS has converted a Robinson R-22 to fly unmanned and spray pesticides
Rotorcraft
Unmanned Camcopter Completes SAR Sea-based Trials
A Schiebel S-100 UAV has completed shipboard SAR trials with the Norwegian Coast Guard
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Russia Advances UAV Forces, Sheds Light on Syrian Experiences
Although relatively slow to adopt unmanned technology, Russia has grown its UAV force considerably in terms of numbers and capability
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UPS Gets Full Part 135 Certificate for Drone Deliveries
UPS will now be able to make drone deliveries at night and beyond visual line of sight.
Aircraft
China Shows Supersonic UAV, Bombers, and SAMs
Among the debutants at the October 1 parade in Beijing were the much-anticipated supersonic UAV and the latest missile-carrying version of the H-6.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Drone Food Delivery Service To Launch in North Carolina
Flytrex is set to use drones to delivery food in the North Carolina city of Holly Springs under FAA UAS Integration Pilot Program
Rotorcraft
KAI Flies Unmanned Light Helicopter
Korea's NI-600VT is based on the Rotorway A600 with a KAI-developed autonomous systems.
Engines
Safran Developing New Turboprop Engine for Unmanned Market
Safran's new unmanned turboprop engine will fly up to 45,000 feet and produce fewer emissions
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Stingray Takes to the Air
Boeing’s MQ-25 unmanned carrierborne tanker gets flight trials under way at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Drone Remote ID NPRM Delayed Again
Technology seen as critical to expanding unmanned aircraft operations
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Unmanned Stratospheric Solar Aircraft Flies
High-altitude Hawk30 aircraft is designed to provide global connectivity.
Aircraft
Magpie Vision-Based Guidance System Set To Support Autonomous Flight Operations
Daedalean says the Magpie vision-based guidance system will support development of its Artificial Intelligence-based autopilot.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Enlarged Derivative of Orion UAV Under Development
Having successfully fielded the Orion, including an operational debut over Syria, KT is now working on a larger vehicle in the HALE class
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
MAKS 2019: Stealthy Chinese Target, and Iranian Cruise Missile
While majoring on Russian hardware, the MAKS show gave a chance for overseas exhibitors to debut new products
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UAS Traffic Management Demonstration Flights Successful
The UAS traffic management pilot program has shown that unmanned and manned aircraft can coexist at low altitudes without ATC
Aircraft
Can a New Generation of Electric Aircraft Provide the Spark to Regenerate Aviation?
More than 150 new aircraft, most of them electrically-powered and many of them to be flown autonomously, are vying to radically reshape aviation's future.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Balloon-launched UAV Tops 98,000 Feet
Stratodynamics plans to drop its HIdron glider from 114,000 feet soon
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Rafael Moves into the UAV World
The forthcoming acquisition of Aeronautics Ltd brings with it a portfolio of unmanned air platforms, including aerostats
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Transport Canada Fines Drone Pilot $2,750
The Canadian regulator alleges the pilot committed 11 violations during two events tied to the Toronto Raptors winning the NBA championship.
Safety
Minimal Consequences Noted in Drone-human Collision Study
"Worst case impacts are very difficult to achieve" say researchers.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA Approves Kansas for First BVLOS Drone Flight
Kansas officials credit the state’s participation in the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration Pilot Program for approval of the flights.
Charter & Fractional
Flapper Technologies Extends Its Horizons
Via its booking platform, Flapper will soon offer new routes, new country markets, and new services—including crowdsourced flight sharing.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Russia Releases S-70 Okhotnik Flight Video
The short video provides the first official glimpse of Sukhoi’s stealthy unmanned combat air vehicle prototype.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Swiss U-space Deploys Drone Flight Info Management
Skyguide , AirMap, and the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) have deployed a flight information system for drones
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UAS Flies BVLOS Without Ground Observers In Alaska
Demonstration BVLOS pipeline inspection flight used Echodyne radars
Rotorcraft
Unmanned Korean MD500 Flies for the First Time
Korean Air’s Aerospace Division has modified a former armed forces helicopter to an unmanned configuration with the aim of creating an armed platform
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UAS Used For Part 77 Airport Inspections in Washington
AeroTEC is using UAS for runway inspections in Washington, claiming significant cost savings.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Light UAV Family Launched in Hungary
The Ku-ME Invest MP-H family uses a similar central body matched to various wing sizes to cater for a wide range of payload options
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Satcom Tested for Civil UAS Beyond-line-of-sight Ops
ASO, Cobham, Inertial Labs test satcom for commercial UAS beyond line of sight flights
