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
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.
Safety
Phoenix Air Gets First IS-BAO Remote-piloted A/C Nod
The International Business Aviation Council has issued its first IS-BAO Remote Piloted Aircraft System to Phoenix Air Unmanned.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Northrop Grumman To Repurpose EQ-4Bs as Range Hawks
The former BACN-carrying high-altitude UAVs will be outfitted to support hypersonic missile tests as part of the SkyRange initiative.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
General Atomics Unveils Latest Predator Family Member
The Mojave unmanned aircraft system draws on the Reaper and Gray Eagle-ER, but focuses on greater payload and short/rough-field operations.
Rotorcraft
MD Helicopters Partners With UAV Leasing for Air Taxis
Helicopter OEM and leasing company teams on air taxi, border patrol services.
Aircraft
Textron's eVTOL Aircraft Plans Are Still In the Balance
Textron confirmed that its Nexus eVTOL is a technology testbed, rather than an active program as it continues to assess its advanced air mobility options.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Stingray Testing Forging Ahead
Boeing’s MQ-25 unmanned carrierborne tanker has conducted refueling trials with all of its intended receivers as part of early testing.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Russia's Night Hunter Prowls Abroad
The Mi-28NE attack helicopter from Russian Helicopters is making its international debut at the Dubai Airshow.
Avionics
Diverse Israeli Technology Now Available to New Gulf Allies
For the first time, Israeli defense and aerospace firms can exhibit at the Dubai Airshow, following the 2020 Abraham Accords agreement with the UAE
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Gremlins UAV Demonstrates First Mid-Air Recovery
After a series of unsuccessful attempts, DARPA’s Gremlins recoverable UAV program has launched and snagged an X-61A air vehicle in flight.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
North Dakota's UAS System Goes In on Thales
Vantis, North Dakota’s UAS network has selected Thales USA as its system integrator.
Aircraft
NBAA Returns to Vegas with New Home, Hybrid Approach
Many familiar features will be part of this year's NBAA-BACE but the October 12-14 event also folds in changes, from a new home to hybrid options.
Rotorcraft
EHang To Collaborate with Spanish National Police
EHang and the Spanish National Police will explore potential use cases for autonomous air vehicles.
Aircraft
DSEI Show Revives Physical Displays and In-Person Contacts
The biennial defense show in London was the first major international defense trade show to take place in Europe since the pandemic began.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
SkyGuardian RPAS Undertakes European Trials
Trials have proven the ability of the SkyGuardian to operate in controlled airspace as the UK gears up to begin operations with the Protector RG.Mk 1.
Rotorcraft
Blade Aims To Dominate Organ Transport Market in U.S.
Blade said it will merge its MediMobility business with Trinity Air Medical, which it has signed an agreement to acquire.
Aircraft
No Pilot On Board, But Autonomous Aircraft Can Still Fly Safely - FutureFlight Explainer
No Pilot On Board, But Autonomous Aircraft Can Still Fly Safely - FutureFlight Explainer
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Boeing’s Stingray Performs First Unmanned Refueling
The MQ-25 Stingray is on course to be deployed as a tanker aboard the U.S. Navy’s carriers.
Avionics
Merlin Developing Drop-in Autonomy Kit for King Airs
Merlin Labs will convert up to 55 Beechcraft King Air twin turboprops operated by Dynamic Aviation for autonomous flight
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Group To Launch Ireland's First Vertiport
A consortium of companies and organizations have come together in an MoU to launch Ireland’s first passenger and cargo vertiport at Shannon Airport.
Aircraft
eVTOLs Are Magnets for Investors, but Will They Be Cash Cows?
eVTOLs Are Magnets for Investors, but Will They Be Cash Cows?
Avionics
Project Vertex Taps Helo Flightlab for Autonomy Trials
Airbus is using its H130 Flightlab helicopter to evaluate new cameras, sensors, tablets and head-mounted displays for autonomous flight development work.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Fitting Helicopter Flightlab With Autonomous Capability
Airbus plans complete demonstration of autonomous helicopter Flightlab in 2023.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
First Global Hawk UAV for Japan Takes to the Air
Tokyo has ordered three examples of Northrop Grumman's high-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicle, along with associated ground equipment.
Rotorcraft
Airbus VSR700 Optionally-piloted Helo Hits Speed Milestone
Airbus is expanding the flight envelope of its VSR700 optionally piloted vehicle (OPV), recently achieving forward speeds of 60 knots.
Accidents
L.A. Drone Pilot Avoids Prison
The operator of a drone that struck an LAPD AStar last year has been sentenced to a $500 fine and probation.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Valkyrie UAS Launches Small UAS from Weapons Bay
The March 26 test flight at Yuma Proving Ground was also used to expand the Valyrie’s performance envelope.
Rotorcraft
Bell Continues Cautious Swim into AAM Pool
Bell continues to move cautiously on its two marquis electric demonstration aircraft, the Nexus and APT.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Elbit and KAI Join Forces for Military UAS Collaboration
Links between Korean and Israeli industry are growing, particularly in the field of unmanned air systems.
