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.
Avionics
FAA Provides MOC for UAS Remote ID Mandate
The FAA has published a means of compliance for UAS manufacturers to meet the requirements for providing remote identification capability.
Accidents
NTSB Redefines UAS Criteria for Accident Investigation
The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has issued a final rule amending its Part 830 definition of “unmanned aircraft accident.”
Aircraft
Inmarsat Demonstrates Sector-spanning Satcom Links
Satellite network operator Inmarsat brings to Farnborough the latest future-proofed connectivity products for diverse aerospace sectors.
Engines
PBS Unveils Turbine Engine for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Engineering company updates original engine; new engine breaks record for thrust-to-weight ratio
Aircraft
Airbus Launches Connectivity Unit With Solar-powered Zephyr
Airbus says it can affordably expand telecommunications services with its Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station that can fly at 70,000 feet.
Aircraft
Raytheon Subsidiaries Update Market on Pending Innovation
Raytheon is preparing for what forecasters say will be an exponential increase in travel in the next five to 10 years.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Marine Corps Begins Major MQ-9A UAS Procurement
The remotely piloted aircraft will be used to stand up an MQ-9A(ER) squadron in Hawaii to support U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Israel's Blaze Unveils Spider VTOL UAV
The Blaze UAV's small size and adaptability allow individuals to deploy it for tactical, covert, or extended-range real-time intelligence.
Aircraft
Super Hornet Demonstrates Multi-Vehicle Manned-unmanned Teaming Operations
Controlling unmanned adjuncts from manned fighters accounts for one of the main areas of airpower development.
Aircraft
British HAPS Projects Aim for the Solar Heights
The Airbus Zephyr and the BAE Systems PHASA-35 offer new airborne communications and observation options.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UK Cancels Mosquito Loyal Wingman Demonstrator Program
The Mosquito uncrewed technology demonstrator will not be built as the money can be better spent elsewhere, says the UK defense ministry.
Charter & Fractional
Embraer: Long-term eVTOL Biz Case Hinges on Autonomy
The long-term viability of the eVTOL market will depend on the ability to adapt and certify the segment’s vehicles for autonomous flight.
Training and Workforce
FlightSafety To Train Cargo Drone Pilots
Bulgarian unmanned cargo airline Dronamics has engaged FlightSafety to ensure its pilots have the right training to maximize operational safety.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
General Atomics Unveils Carrier-capable MQ-9B UAV
Equipped with a STOL wing kit, the MQ-9B SkyGuardian/SeaGuardian will be capable of operating from assault carriers and regular aircraft carriers.
Aircraft
Autonomous Aircraft Could Carry Vital Supplies to War and Disaster Zones
Autonomous Aircraft Could Carry Vital Supplies to War and Disaster Zones
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
First Surveillance Reapers Handed Over to the Netherlands
Following delivery, the unmanned aerial vehicles will be tested in the Netherlands Antilles in the Caribbean Sea.
Regulations and Government
DOT IG Critical of FAA's Counter-UAS Measure Oversight
The U.S. DOT’s inspector general office found that the FAA is lacking resources in its oversight of counter-UAS measures.
Rotorcraft
Airbus's Optionally-Piloted Helicopter Goes to Sea
The VSR700 demonstrator has undertaken the first at-sea trials of its autonomous take-off and landing capabilities as part of a French navy/DGA program.
ATC
HAI Pans FAA Report on BVLOS Uncrewed Aircraft Ops
HAI is opposing recommendations in an FAA Aviation Rulemaking Committee final report on uncrewed aircraft systems operating beyond the line of sight.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Saudi Arabia’s Intra Pushes Ahead with Drone Programs
Intra is leading the drive for greater Saudi self-sufficiency in the unmanned air vehicle sector through two major programs.
Training and Workforce
Blue Force Contracted for Unmanned Adversary Development
The U.S. Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps are looking for cheaper ways of providing adversary training, with autonomous air vehicles to the fore.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Phenix Flight Testing Coaxial eVTOL Drone
Phenix Solutions is flight testing a single-engine coaxial remotely piloted aircraft under the U.S. Air Force Agility Prime program.
Rotorcraft
IBAC Updates IS-BAO Helo Practices, Moves into RPAS
IBAC adapted certain best practices in its IS-BAO standard to better fit helicopter operations and expanded the breadth of the program to include RPAS.
Rotorcraft
Hirschberg: All Aviation Will Benefit from eVTOL Tech
Vertical Flight Society executive director Mike Hirschberg says eVTOLs will "change the world."
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Elbit Unveils Skylark UAS with Hybrid Power
Elbit’s popular Skylark 3 UAS has been developed with a dual electric/internal combustion propulsion system offering a dramatic increase in endurance.
Charter & Fractional
Shore-to-Ship Drone Deliveries Could Cut Costs and Carbon
ST Engineering, Skyports, and Sumitomo are starting a trial program to deliver cargo to ships docked off Singapore using uncrewed aircraft.
Engines
ST Engineering Highlights Variety of Technology Solutions
ST Engineering has the largest pavilion in the Singapore Airshow exhibit hall, where it is highlighting aviation, defense, and smart city solutions.
Aircraft
Seletar Could Be Advanced Air Mobility Hub For Singapore
Seletar Aerospace Park could become a hub for eVTOL aircraft activity following an agreement between the Singapore government, Volocopter and Skyports.
Avionics
Thales Sees Asia-Pac as Fertile Ground for UAM Development
The Asia-Pacific region’s vast population, huge cities and poor road systems make it ripe for UAM market development, says Thales.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Wingcopter Strikes Deal for Medical Delivery Drones
German drone maker Wingcopter will provide a fleet of its tiltrotor Wingcopter 198s to the Spright unit of Air Methods.
