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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.