September 30, 2005

U.S. Won’t Sell Global Hawk Spy Drones to Korea

'The United States has turned down a bid from South Korea to buy cutting-edge high-altitude“Global Hawk” unmanned aerial vehicles from the country. The unmanned spy plane is considered a key strategic weapon and is under strict export restrictions, meaning...
Posted by Darren

September 29, 2005

Our own spy plane prototype

'UNIVERSITI Sains Ma-laysia (USM) aero-space engineering school in Nibong Tebal, Pe-nang, is developing a prototype of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for surveillance purposes. Aerospace engineering school lecturer Dr Endri Rachman said the school had received a RM250,000 grant from...
Posted by Darren

September 28, 2005

Raytheon Gets $31.4M Black Hawk helicopter and Predator UAV Contract

Raytheon Company was recently awarded a $31.4 million contract to provide the Multispectral Targeting System (MTS)-A for the Navy MH-60 helicopter and the Predator UAV (unmanned airborne vehicle) programs. Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) will deliver 32 MTS-A...
Posted by Darren

The UAV that wasn't

After a recent attack on an Al-Qaeda base in Pakistan the army proudly displayed what it claimed was a drone used to spy on troop movements. Which sounds like a great coup- until a number of toy plane fanatics pointed...
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September 27, 2005

Predators fly first ever four-ship sorties

'The latest upgrade to the MQ-1 Predator, known as the Multi-Aircraft Control system, entered operational testing with the first ever two-ship and four-ship Predator sorties flown from Creech Air Force Base. During these sorties, members from the 53rd Test...
Posted by Darren

Flying 'robot' to help environment

'Italy is set to launch one of its first robotic airships this week, helping biologists tackle pollution and safeguard the environment . The airship, or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), will take to the skies on Thursday, carrying technical instruments...
Posted by Darren

September 26, 2005

Unmanned Stealth Aircraft Due by 2020

'The Defense Ministry plans to develop sophisticated unmanned fighter jets equipped with a radar-evading stealth function by 2020, a state-run defense agency said Saturday. In a report to the National Assembly, the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), affiliated with...
Posted by Darren

UAVs Eyes in the skies

There's a useful piece over at Black Anthem on UAV's titled Eyes in the skies that gives a good introductory overview of UAVs: 'In 1903 Orville and Wilbur Wright invented the very first powered, heavier-than-air machine capable of controlled,...
Posted by Darren

September 25, 2005

USAF leaders comment on UAV usage and development

'Air Force senior leaders answered questions on topics ranging from the buildup of military power in China to the status of Keesler Air Force Base, Miss., during an open panel discussion here Sept. 13. The following were the comments...
Posted by Darren

September 23, 2005

South Africa eyes unmanned-aircraft niche

'The South African Air Force (SAAF) hopes that South Africa will be able to recapture its place as a world leader in the development and operation of unmanned air vehicles (UAVs). “South Africa was a world leader in UAVs,...
Posted by Darren

September 22, 2005

Predator UAS Family Achieves 150,000 Flight Hours

'General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft and high resolution surveillance and radar imaging systems, today announced that the Predator unmanned aircraft system (UAS) family achieved a milestone of 150,000 flight hours last month,...
Posted by Darren

Aerosonde UAV flies 10 hour mission into Tropical Storm Ophelia

'Hurricane researchers at the NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory in Miami, Fla., marked a new milestone in hurricane observation as the first unmanned aircraft touched down after a 10-hour mission into Tropical Storm Ophelia, which lost its hurricane...
Posted by Darren

Green light imminent for UAV airspace initiative

'Initial funding for the UK’s Autonomous Systems Technology Related Airborne Evaluation and Assessment (ASTRAEA) initiative is expected to be announced this week, starting a multi-year effort to normalise unmanned air vehicle operations in UK airspace. The launch funding is...
Posted by Darren

September 20, 2005

Israelis Sell Record Number of UAVs

'The world's foremost developer and manufacturer or UAVs, Israeli Aerospace Industry (IAI) and Elbit Systems, has scored two large contracts. One, for $50 million, is from the Israeli Defense Forces, while the other, for $150 million, is to supply...
Posted by Darren

Drone aircraft joining hurricane-research missions

'Hurricane researchers flew a small drone aircraft through Tropical Storm Ophelia as it passed Virginia's Eastern Shore last week, demonstrating a new way to probe the storms at low altitudes that human pilots seldom dare. “Hurricane Hunter” planes flown...
Posted by Darren

September 19, 2005

UAV crashes in Udhampur village

'AN Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) of Indian Air Force crashed near Jib (Kamal Danga, Sunari), about 20 kilometers from Udhampur on Saturday evening. However, no loss of the life was reported. Sources said that UAV caught fire after it...
Posted by Darren

Pentagon Examines New Micro-UAV

'The U.S. Defense Department has been examining a miniature unmanned aerial vehicle designed to provide small military units with tactical reconnaissance. The Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has been examining the Micro Air Vehicle developed by Honeywell. The...
Posted by Darren

Traffic police begin using UAVs

'The Israel Police Traffic Department yesterday began operating a Hermes 450 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), made by Elbit Systems, as part of its enforcement of traffic laws. The UAV will also be used to track delinquent drivers. Use of...
Posted by Darren

UAVs Over New Orleans

'Military UAVs are the latest assets that have been drafted into service for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. The reserve units sent to New Orleans don't have UAVs, so the navy has come forward with UAV support. Ten Evolution class...
Posted by Darren

IAI wins $50m Israel Air Force UAV contract

'Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) will supply Heron (Machatz 1) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to the Israel Air Force for over $50 million. Increased need for surveillance UAVs, particularly following withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, accounts for the order, which...
Posted by Darren

Paris Air Show: European UAV market worth EUR4.9 billion

'Europe is expected to be the world's third-largest unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market over the next decade behind the US and the Asia-Pacific region, according a new market survey of the continent's military UAV requirements conducted by consulting firm...
Posted by Darren

Hermes 450 first large UAV to fly in UK airspace

'An Elbit Hermes 450 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which forms the basis of the UK's Watchkeeper programme, became on 7 September the first large UAV to fly in UK air space. The 4.5-hour flight was the first full flight,...
Posted by Darren

Robonic to Launch UAV Test Flight Centre In Finland

'Robonic Ltd of Finland is to establish a dedicated UAV test flight centre at Kemijarvi, Finland. This new centre will support development, test and evaluation, and operational training for ground launched targets and tactical UAV’s. The facilities will include...
Posted by Darren

Dutch micro UAV flaps its way to successful first flight

'A flapping-wing micro unmanned air vehicle (MAV) weighing just 17g and with a wingspan of 330mm (13in) flew successfully at the Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands last month. The remotely controlled Delfly, which has four wings and...
Posted by Darren

September 18, 2005

PENTAGON EXAMINES NEW MICRO-UAV

The Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has been examining the Micro Air Vehicle developed by Honeywell. The MAV was one of several micro-UAVs reviewed by the Pentagon's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency as part of the Advanced Concept Technology...
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September 14, 2005

Demand increasing for drone operators trained in southern Arizona

'The number of students training to pilot unmanned drones, which can be used to spy on enemy troops, has more than quadrupled at Fort Huachuca since military campaigns began in Iraq and in Afghanistan. The Army's Unmanned Aerial Vehicle...
Posted by Darren

September 13, 2005

Robonic to Launch UAV Test Flight Centre In Finland

'Robonic Ltd of Finland is to establish a dedicated UAV test flight centre at Kemijarvi, Finland. This new centre will support development, test and evaluation, and operational training for ground launched targets and tactical UAV’s. The facilities will include...
Posted by Darren

September 12, 2005

Israel Aircraft Industries to Supply Heron UAVs to Israel Air Force

'Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) was recently awarded a contract to supply the Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system - “Machatz 1” to the Israel Air Force (IAF). The order, valued in excess of $50 million includes long-term maintenance contract....
Posted by Darren

NRL Develops Fully Autonomous Compact Electric Helicopter

'Researchers at the Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL’s) Tactical Electronic Warfare Division (TEWD) have developed an affordably expendable fully autonomous compact electric helicopter system called SPIDER (Scientific Payload Insertion Device Electric Rotor). The helicopter can perform automatic takeoffs, fly up...
Posted by Darren

September 08, 2005

Elbit Hermes makes first flight of large UAV in UK

'Elbit Systems’ Hermes 450 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flew yesterday above ParcAberporth, Wales. The Hermes 450 is a part of WatchKeeper, a joint project by Elbit Systems and Thales. The flight was part of the UAV 2005 Exhibition taking...
Posted by Darren

Unmanned flight makes history in Wales

'Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) history was made today at the ParcAberporth Unmanned Systems event in Wales with the first flight in UK airspace of a large UAV. Thales UK and Watchkeeper team partner Elbit systems presented a flight demonstration...
Posted by Darren

Unmanned Planes Survey New Orleans Damage

'Tiny, unmanned surveillance planes are being pressed into action for reconnaissance over Katrina-ravaged New Orleans in what defense contractors call the biggest civilian deployment ever for the technology. Ten of the unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, have been taking...
Posted by Darren

September 07, 2005

Unmanned aircraft centre to open

'A centre of excellence for developing unmanned aircraft is officially opening in west Wales with the creation of up to 1,000 jobs. ParcAberporth will become a key site for developing and testing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The aircraft have...
Posted by Darren

Aerosonde starts UAV trials with US Air Force

'UAV manufacturer Aerosonde has been awarded a contract worth almost US$700,00 by the US Air Force to undertake trials to meet weather reconnaissance requirements for tropical storms as well as military targeting and training. According to the USAF, the...
Posted by Darren

September 06, 2005

US UAV Kills 11 Iraqi Insurgents

'A unmanned US spy plane Monday thwarted an Iraqi rebel mortar attack on a sprawling US base, firing two missiles which killed 11 insurgents and wounded four more, the military said. US forces “located two groups of attackers with...
Posted by Darren

QinetiQ acquires 90% in near-space UAV partner

'QinetiQ and the Verhaert Group of Belgium, have announced the acquisition by QinetiQ of a 90% share of Verhaert Design and Development NV (VDD), the leading Belgian space systems integrator. The company will be renamed Verhaert Space NV. QinetiQ...
Posted by Darren

Singapore eyes Global Hawk UAV

'Island state interested in airborne early warning RQ-4 development to expand surveillance capabilities Singapore received a formal briefing from the USA on the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle late last month as it looks to improve...
Posted by Darren

Drones to help rescuers in New Orleans

'Unmanned remote-controlled airplanes used in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars may be deployed to find people trapped in New Orleans' buildings by Hurricane Katrina's flood waters, a U.S. congressman said Friday. Five Silver Fox “unmanned aerial vehicles,” or UAVs,...
Posted by Darren

September 05, 2005

Retired colonel brings UAV expertise to Sentel

'Janice Morrow was one of the people involved in bringing the use of small unmanned aircraft systems under the control of the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command last year. When she retired, Col. Morrow looked for a way...
Posted by Darren

Cyber Defense Successfully Tests New Propulsion System For Mid Altitude Airships

'Cyber Defense Systems has announced the introduction and successful testing of a revolutionary new propulsion system. Cyber Defense's propulsion systems for the Mid Altitude Airships SA 90 being built by Techsphere Systems International is designed to maintain geo-stationary position...
Posted by Darren

Alenia and Aermacchi partner Russian companies Irkut and Yakovlev in UAV projects

'Finmeccanica group companies Alenia Aeronautica and Aermacchi are to establish industrial and commercial partnerships with two of Russia’s leading aviation companies, Irkut and its subsidiary Yakovlev. The partnerships will be in the fields of aircraft design, training aircraft and...
Posted by Darren

Cyber Defense Successfully Tests Groundbreaking Propulsion System For Unmanned Airships

Cyber Defense Systems, Inc. ,a designer and developer of next generation unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV''s) and an operating subsidiary of Proxity, Inc. (Pink Sheets: PRXT), today announced the introduction and successful testing of a revolutionary new propulsion system. Cyber...
Posted by Darren

Israeli UAVs for Turkey

'Israel Aircraft Industries, Ltd. (IAI) and Elbit Systems will jointly supply the Turkish Armed Forces Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) systems. The contract is valued at $150 million and each company's share will amount to approximately $75 million. The contract...
Posted by Darren

The Clash of the UAV Tribes

'With about 775 unmanned aerial vehicles—from miniature UAVs to the high-altitude Global Hawk—now in operation over Iraq and Afghanistan, the military services are once again confronting long-standing differences over roles and missions. The latest debate about UAVs is not...
Posted by Darren

Drones to help rescuers

'Unmanned remote-controlled airplanes used in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars may be deployed to find people trapped in New Orleans' buildings by Hurricane Katrina's flood waters, a U.S. congressman said Friday. Five Silver Fox “unmanned aerial vehicles,” or UAVs,...
Posted by Darren

GIs praise next generation of aerial drones

'Fighting an insurgency without fronts, U.S. commanders in Iraq need a technical advantage to rob the enemy of free movement. Live video images from unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, give soldiers critical capabilities, said 1st Lt. William Weiland, 501st...
Posted by Darren

Unmanned Technologies Australia

'Unmanned Technologies Australia (UTA) has finalised details of a consortium to develop and commercialise a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The new UAV program, AIRCOMS, will develop a unique airborne communications and surveillance capability suitable for a wide range...
Posted by Darren

Pakistan acquiring UAV from Germany

'Pakistan is reported to be in the process of acquiring a German unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) system in the current fiscal. Chief of General Staff Lt Gen Tariq Majeed has “instructed the military operations and military intelligence directorates to...
Posted by Darren

September 04, 2005

US Border Patrol Purchases Predator B UAV to Patrol US Mexican Border

The US Border Patrol has announced they have purchased a Predator B UAV to patrol the US-Mexican border. The mission will be to look for both smuggling of drugs and humans. The UAV will begin its work next month between...
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