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.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Shooting Down Drones with Laser
Dramatic rise in small drones for civilian use has also introduced a new threat to political and other public figures.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Improved Skylark Draws on Hermes Technology
Elbit’s man-portable Skylark is one of the most popular mini-UASs on the market. The company has launched an improved version.
Aircraft
Optionally-piloted LHD Gains First Order
Company already has its first order and a pre-series batch of the aircraft is under construction.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Textron Awaits Key UAV Decisions
Textron’s UAV range is being considered for a number of competitions, including France’s tactical UAS requirement.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
CAE To Provide Predator Trainer for Italy’s Air Force
CAE and General Atomics developing the high-fidelity mission trainer specifically for Italian Air Force Predator A and MQ-9 Predator B.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Israel's UAVs Find New Roles as Hunters and Data Gatherers
European industrials and operators can learn from Israeli experience with UAVs.
Aircraft
The Revolutionary but Thorny U.S. Predator-Reaper Program
There are many improvements to the Reaper UAS that are being considered, while the Predator-C continues as a classified program.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
UAS Conference in U.S. Ushers in New Drone Order
Upstart and legacy manufacturers of unmanned aircraft systems exhibit side by side at AUVSI conference.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
With the UK Sorted, Thales Touts Watchkeeper Prospects in France
New Payloads Offered and Sovereign Requirements Addressed in Export Drive.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Europe Advances Research of RPAS Airspace Integration
French studies are investigating how remotely piloted aircraft can be integrated into the air traffic management system.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Northrop Grumman Rolls Out First NATO AGS Global Hawk
The treaty organization expects to begin operating the NATO-1 Global Hawk from Sigonella Air Base, Italy, in 2017.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Experts Study RPAS Operations in Commercial Airspace
The aviation industry is having a hard time devising rules for remotely piloted aircraft systems.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Boeing Envisions a Future Laser-Carrying Unmanned Aircraft
The hydrogen-powered Phantom Eye shows the potential of a 'stratospheric, persistent directed energy platform,' says Phantom Works chief.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
AIN Blog: Tiny Drone Does It Again
How high is the risk of a tiny drone flying in Washington, D.C. airspace?
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
AeroVironment Seeks To Grow 'Switchblade' Missile Business
The supplier of small unmanned aircraft systems to the U.S. military is developing new variants of its Switchblade expendable flying missile.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Coming U.S. Policy Change Will Free Small Drone Exports
The Commerce Department is expected to amend its regulations covering the export to foreign countries of small commercial unmanned aircraft.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA, Industry Partners Announce 'Pathfinder' Drone Research
The FAA, cable network CNN, BNSF Railway and PrecisionHawk will investigate beyond line-of-sight and other drone operations.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA Seeks Standards for Beyond Line-of-Sight Drone Flights
The agency has asked standards organization ASTM to develop standards for beyond visual line-of-sight operations and flights over people.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Devil's in the Details of FAA UAS Proposal, Says GAMA
GAMA seeks lower maximum altitudes and other operational requirements for UAS.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Website: FAA Receives 4,000-Plus Comments to Drone Rule
The website Regulations.gov indicates that 4,499 responses were received for the small unmanned aircraft systems draft rulemaking
Aircraft
EU Leaders Mull Military Action To Destroy People-Smuggling Vessels
Possible roles for UAVs considered after current patrol and rescue efforts deemed inadequate.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Drone Groups Comment on FAA's Small UAS Draft Regulation
The comment deadline for the FAA's small unmanned aircraft systems notice of proposed rulemaking arrived on April 24.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
X-47B Accomplishes First Unmanned Aerial Refueling Mission
The Northrop Grumman-built unmanned combat demonstrator will be retired now that it has completed its final test objective.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Navy Restarts Effort To Fit 'Due Regard' Radar on Triton
The U.S. Navy has restarted the development of a sense-and-avoid radar system for the MQ-4C Triton unmanned aircraft.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Amazon Wins Exemption From FAA to Test Fly Small Drone
Amazon petitioned the FAA last July to conduct R&D of its planned drone delivery service under Section 333 of the FAA reauthorization act.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
IAI Reports Brazilian Defense Initiatives
Israeli company is supplying UAS and radar technology via local partners
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
AeroVironment, Northrop Grumman Develop Naval Drones
The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has selected the two contractors for the second phase of its TERN program.
Regulations and Government
FAA 'Interim Policy' Speeds UAS Flight Authorizations
Grants operators a certificate of authorization for UAS flights at or below 200 feet anywhere in the country except in restricted airspace or major cities.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
FAA Grants Amazon Experimental 'Ticket' for Drone Testing
Online retailer Amazon obtained an FAA experimental airworthiness certificate to begin testing an unmanned aircraft for package deliveries.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
EASA Issues Regulatory Approach for Drones in Europe
The European Aviation Safety Agency has issued a draft regulatory framework that specifies three categories of commercial drone operations.
