September 29, 2006

Thales selected by Canadian military for a mini-UAV system

'Thales Canada has been selected by the Department of National Defence Land Forces to deliver a mini-UAV system based on Elbit’s Skylark technology. Thales Canada had already been selected by the Canadian Forces Experimentation Centre (CFEC) for the Silver...
Posted by Darren

British Forces in Iraq now have Raven UAV for surveillance

'British military personnel in southern Iraq have taken delivery of a cutting edge new surveillance device which it is hoped will greatly assist their efforts to reconstruct the country. Raven, a sophisticated airborne “eye in the sky”, is a...
Posted by Darren

September 28, 2006

Thales' PowerNode5 to provide computing power for Watchkeeper UAV componentry |

'Edison, New Jersey and Toulon, France computers activities of a leading provider of integrated PowerPC and Pentium-based VME COTS computing systems and solutions to OEMs and system integrators, today announced that it has been selected to provide its fully...
Posted by Darren

September 27, 2006

Northrop Gets Global Hawk Work

'Northrop Grumman Corp. received contracts totaling more than $42 million for the company’s Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle program, the Pentagon announced Sept. 26. The two contracts were awarded by the 303rd Aeronautical Systems Group at Wright-Patterson Air Force...
Posted by Darren

Intelligent unmanned aircraft planned

'U.S. researchers say they are creating an intelligent airborne fleet of small, unmanned vehicles for military use. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientists and their colleagues at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Boeing Phantom Works in Seattle...
Posted by Darren

Unmanned planes latest farming tool

'Scientists are investigating whether unmanned planes could one day help cattle farmers carry out labour-intensive tasks such as counting stock and checking dam levels. Queensland's Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and agricultural organisation Kondinin Group are carrying out a...
Posted by Darren

MIT's intelligent aircraft fly, cooperate autonomously

'The U.S. military depends on small, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to perform such tasks as serving as "eyes in the sky" for battalion commanders planning maneuvers. While some of these UAVs can be easily carried in a backpack and...
Posted by Darren

South Africa's ABAT unveils plan for mini-UAV courier business

'The South African-based autopilot manufacturer ABAT has unveiled concepts for a local area courier delivery business based around small electrically powered UAVs. The “Posduif” – an Africans language word for carrier pigeon - business would utilise a flying wing...
Posted by Darren

September 26, 2006

Fort Polk Searching For Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

'Officials at Fort Polk in Vernon Parish are searching for an unmanned aerial vehicle lost during a training exercise last week in the North Fort Polk Slagle training area. The area is located south of Louisiana Highway 28. Post...
Posted by Darren

Altair UAV Re-Certified For High-Altitude Ops

'Aero-News learned Monday the Altair -- an improved, high-altitude version of the famous Predator unmanned aerial vehicle -- was recently awarded re-certification by the FAA to continue tests in the high atmosphere. The Altair, built by General Atomics with...
Posted by Darren

Stations look to unmanned planes over traditional labour

'Remote control aeroplanes that can monitor stock, fences and water levels are becoming cost competitive with farm labour. That is the finding of an MLA sponsored project being carried out by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries and the...
Posted by Darren

US outfit patents 'invisible' UAV

'A US unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) manufacturer has been granted patents on an "invisible" surveillance platform which relies on persistence of vision to achieve stealth, Aviation Week & Space Technology reports. Minneapolis-based VeraTech Aero's "Phantom Sentinel" is a "single...
Posted by Darren

Rafael close to signing $239m deal with Indian Air Force

'The Indian Air Force (IAF) is in advanced negotiations with Rafael Armament Development Authority Ltd. and MBDA of France for a $239 million contract to procure the Spyder SR short-range air defense system. The Spider air defense system combines...
Posted by Darren

September 25, 2006

Unmanned military aircraft crashes on approach to San Javier Airbase

'A prototype military aircraft - known as an unmanned aerial vehicle, or UAE - crash landed into the sea on its approach to San Javier Airbase on Saturday, just 800 metres before it could be brought in to land...
Posted by Darren

September 24, 2006

Burns Files Key UAV and Meth Amendments to Immigration Bill

'Today U.S. Senator Conrad Burns (R – Mont.) filed two critical amendments to H.R. 6061, the Secure Fence Act, which the Senate is currently considering. The Burns amendments will require the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct...
Posted by Darren

Arming Predator UAVs

'Much is being made now of the video now circulationg in which a Predator UAV had Osama Bin Ladin in its sights - yet the then POTUS Bill Clinton did nothing. Clinton's defenders will point out that he could...
Posted by Darren

Next generation internet protocol a potential solution to UAV frequency access problem

'Lockheed Martin Integrated System and Solutions plans to launch shortly a six month demonstration programme of UAV command and control (C2) using internet protocol version 6 (IPv6). The demonstrations will initially focus on how UAV C2 can be distributed...
Posted by Darren

EADS UAV ditched into the sea on approach to San Javier AFB, Spain

'An EADS-owned Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) has ditched into the sea on Saturday morning upon approach for landing at San Javier Air Force Base (Murcia / Spain) after a test flight. The test was part of the current flight...
Posted by Darren

UAV Catches Anti-Iraqi Forces Mortar Team

'Two men were detained and a small cache discovered after coalition forces observed, with the intelligence gathered from an unmanned aerial vehicle, six men fleeing the origin of an indirect fire attack on the civilians of Khan Bani Sa'ad,...
Posted by Darren

September 22, 2006

Night Strike event marked by UAV overlap

'The Night Strike 2006 – Freedom of Flight organised by The Shephard Group on behalf of the Canadian government showed the increasing overlap between UAV and manned fighter operations with a major focus on how to integrate the former...
Posted by Darren

September 19, 2006

Israel: UAV Infiltration Unprecedented

'An unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) launched by Hezbollah and shot down over Haifa, Israel, during the conflict with Lebanon was attempting to attack the Gush Dan region, a senior Israel Defense Forces officer said Sept. 18. The officer also...
Posted by Darren

UAV catches AIF mortar team in the act

'Two men were detained and a small cache discovered after Coalition Forces observed, with an unmanned aerial vehicle, six men fleeing the origin of an indirect fire attack on the civilians of Khan Bani Sa'ad, south of Baqubah Tuesday....
Posted by Darren

September 18, 2006

UN force protests Israeli overflights

'The IAF is violating the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire, and the UN force in Lebanon intends to launch an official complaint against Israel following the violations, UN sources reported on Thursday. Spokesman for the UN peacekeeping force currently stationed in Lebanon,...
Posted by Darren

U.S. Air Force's first hunter-killer UAV named Reaper

'September 14, 2006 The Air Force has announced "Reaper" has been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle, the Air Force's first hunter-killer UAV. Formerly known as the Predator B, the MQ-9 is still in final...
Posted by Darren

September 15, 2006

Sensors UAVs could cure border problems

'Sensor devices and unmanned aerial vehicles could play a pivotal role in patrolling the nation’s land borders in the near future, government officials and expert witnesses said at a congressional hearing Wednesday. U.S. borders soon might be dotted with...
Posted by Darren

'Reaper' Moniker Given to MQ-9 Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

'The Air Force Chief of Staff announced "Reaper" has been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle. The Air Force is the Department of Defense's executive agent for designating and naming military aerospace vehicles. In the...
Posted by Darren

U.S. Air Force's first hunter-killer UAV named Reaper

'September 14, 2006 The Air Force has announced "Reaper" has been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle, the Air Force's first hunter-killer UAV. Formerly known as the Predator B, the MQ-9 is still in final...
Posted by Darren

September 14, 2006

"Reaper" moniker given to MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle

'The Air Force Chief of Staff announced "Reaper" has been chosen as the name for the MQ-9 unmanned aerial vehicle. The Air Force is the Department of Defense's executive agent for designating and naming military aerospace vehicles. In the...
Posted by Darren

Israel to unveil armed UAV in 6 months

'“Aviation Week” reports in its latest issue that Israel will unveil a large armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) in six months. The UAV is reportedly the Heron 2, with a weight of 1.8 tons and a 37-meter wingspan, the...
Posted by Darren

Tiny UAV to fly into hurricanes

'In the Second World War, a British aircraft called the Hurricane had made life hell for the Germans. Years later, an aircraft, albeit a UAV, will try to decode the mystery of natural hurricanes, Newscientist reported. A small unmanned...
Posted by Darren

September 13, 2006

Students’ pilotless plane may protect Delhi

'The Delhi College of Engineering (DCE) plans to launch five pilotless planes for the active surveillance of the National Capital Region (NCR) during the Commonwealth Games in the year 2010. Inspired by the huge success of the Unmanned Aerial...
Posted by Darren

IAI, European partners successfully test new UAV

'Israel Aircraft Industries Ltd. (IAI), European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company NV (EADS), and the French Ministry of Defense Arms Procurement Agency (DGA) successfully conducted the maiden flight of a new long-range mid-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), called the...
Posted by Darren

Hydrogen Fuel Cells Power Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

'Georgia Institute of Technology researchers have conducted successful test flights of a hydrogen-powered unmanned aircraft believed to be the largest to fly on a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell using compressed hydrogen. The fuel-cell system that powers the...
Posted by Darren

Successful first flight of the SIDM UAV system in France

'EADS, in association with Israel Aircraft Industry (IAI), has successfully completed the first flight of a MALE UAV System in France. The drone SIDM (Système Intérimaire de Drone Male) flew from the Istres air base, the DGA (French armaments...
Posted by Darren

Research team reveals increased UAV ability

'A Brigham Young University team of scientists and engineers, funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research here, has recently demonstrated increased consensus capabilities among unmanned air vehicles. "This research on cooperative control involves developing methods to enable...
Posted by Darren

Northrop proposes UAV submarine launch

'Northrop Grumman has unveiled proposals to launch unmanned air vehicles from submarines by modifying the vertical launch encapsulation system currently used to launch Raytheon Tomahawk cruise missiles. The modified stealthy affordable capsule system (SACS) would draw on Northrop's work...
Posted by Darren

September 12, 2006

Could UAVs Be In National Airspace Soon?

'The Army's unmanned aerial vehicles are doing just fine operating in the shared airspace over the Middle East... so why slow down efforts to integrate them into the national airspace here at home? That's the word from Colonel Don...
Posted by Darren

Australian Government approves AU$17M TUAV facilities project

'The proposed Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) facilities project at Gallipoli Barracks, Enoggera has today received parliamentary approval. This follows the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works recommending the project proceed. The TUAV project seeks to enhance the Australian...
Posted by Darren

Increased UAV Ability

'A Brigham Young University team of scientists and engineers, funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research here, has recently demonstrated increased consensus capabilities among unmanned air vehicles. “This research on cooperative control involves developing methods to enable...
Posted by Darren

MicroPilot unveils own agricultural UAV to help shape civil market evolution

'Frustrated by a lack of first hand information on the potential requirements of the widely anticipated but slow to develop commercial UAV marketplace, Winnipeg, Canada-based MicroPilot has unveiled its own hand launched crop monitoring system based on a series...
Posted by Darren

Northrop proposes UAV submarine launch

'Northrop Grumman has unveiled proposals to launch unmanned air vehicles from submarines by modifying the vertical launch encapsulation system currently used to launch Raytheon Tomahawk cruise missiles. The modified stealthy affordable capsule system (SACS) would draw on Northrop's work...
Posted by Darren

US Army flags stepped up UAV aerial logistics requirement

'Unmanned logistics air vehicles (ULAV) are likely to gain a significantly greater role in US Army operations over the next one to four years according to its head of Unmanned Systems Integration, Colonel John Burke. "Focussed logistics" Burke says,...
Posted by Darren

Israeli UAVs still flying over Lebanon

'Despite the lifting of an air blockade last week, IDF unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) were still flying over Lebanon and gathering intelligence along the border with Syria to prevent the transfer of weapons to Hizbullah, military sources revealed Monday....
Posted by Darren

Israel To Supply India With Advanced Anti-Aircraft System

'India is set to purchase an advanced Israeli-made anti-aircraft system to bolster its aging defenses, the Press Trust of India (PTI) reported on Sunday. New Delhi has been working for years to modernize its large military, and Israel has...
Posted by Darren

South Korea to ask U.S. for UAVs

'South Korea plans to ask the United States to approve its purchase of four Global Hawk UAVs when military officials meet in Washington. The Korea Herald, quoting an unidentified Ministry of Defense official, said the request for the unmanned...
Posted by Darren

September 11, 2006

Questions remain over IDF's use of armed UAVs

'The Israel Defence Force (IDF) is now evaluating the performance of several new unmanned platforms that were deployed during the fighting for their first combat experience. The recently delivered Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Mahatz 1 (Heron 1) MALE UAV...
Posted by Darren

MicroPilot unveils own agricultural UAV to help shape civil market evolution

'Frustrated by a lack of first hand information on the potential requirements of the widely anticipated but slow to develop commercial UAV marketplace, Winnipeg, Canada-based MicroPilot has unveiled its own hand launched crop monitoring system based on a series...
Posted by Darren

Israel Navy to deploy first UAVs

'The Israel Navy (IN) will deploy its first reconnaissance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in January. The IN has been allocated a few Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) Mahatz I (also known as Heron) medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAVs out of several...
Posted by Darren

September 09, 2006

F16 VS Hunter Video

Posted by Darren

September 08, 2006

A $54B UAV Total Market from 2006-2016?

'In February 2006, DID published a report from the Teal Group that put the global UAV and missile market at $103.7 billion between 2005-2106. Discussions with the Teal Group pegged the UAV procurement market at 17,976 projected units valued...
Posted by Darren

Research team demonstrates increased UAV capabilities

'A Brigham Young University team of scientists and engineers, funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research here, has recently demonstrated increased consensus capabilities among unmanned air vehicles. “This research on cooperative control involves developing methods to enable...
Posted by Darren

September 06, 2006

Hydrogen fuel-cell UAV takes to the air

'Researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology have successfully conducted test flights of a hydrogen-powered unmanned aircraft, believed to be the largest to fly on a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell using compressed hydrogen. The cell that powers...
Posted by Darren

Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Block 20 Global Hawk UAV ready to roll

'Northrop Grumman is preparing to undertake the first taxi tests with the larger and upgraded RQ-4 Block 20 Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle, following the aircraft's official unveiling on 25 August at the US Air Force's Plant 42 in...
Posted by Darren

Allumination FilmWorks and the Newly Acquired UAV Corporation Become a Subsidiary of UK-Based ContentFilm

Allumination FilmWorks (AFW), a leading independent entertainment company, along with its recent acquisition of UAV Corporation has been acquired by the UK-based company, ContentFilm plc, a publicly owned company. As a result, AFW is now a wholly owned subsidiary...
Posted by Darren

September 02, 2006

Denmark sells unwanted second-hand Sagem Sperwer UAVs to Canada at 10% of price

'The Danish ministry of defence has finalised a deal with a Canadian defence contractor to dispose of its "unreliable" 10-strong fleet of Sagem Sperwer tactical unmanned air vehicle (UAV) for the unit cost of one. The previously-owned UAVs were...
Posted by Darren

Unmanned Planes Over New Orleans

'Imagine being able to sit at a laptop at a command post in New Orleans and zoom a video image in on the faces of the people stranded on the rooftops in the flood? Imagine seeing their expressions. And...
Posted by Darren

Proxy Aviation Unveils SkyForce Multi-UAV Management System At AUVSI

'Proxy Aviation Systems, Inc. -- a developer of fully autonomous, optionally piloted unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) based on Velocity airframes -- used this week's Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International’s (AUVSI) Unmanned Systems North America 2006 in Orlando, FL...
Posted by Darren

September 01, 2006

Georgia Tech test largest UAV to fly on proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell

'Georgia Institute of Technology researchers have conducted successful test flights of a hydrogen-powered unmanned aircraft believed to be the largest to fly on a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell using compressed hydrogen. The fuel-cell system that powers the...
Posted by Darren

Teal Group Predicts Worldwide UAV Market Will Top $54 Billion, Tripling in Spending Over the Next Decade: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

'Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) will continue to be the most dynamic growth sector of the world aerospace industry. A forthcoming Teal Group market study, previewed today during this week's AUVSI Unmanned Systems North America 2006, estimates that UAV spending...
Posted by Darren

Flying Start to NW Shelf Unmanned Aircraft Trial

'The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Defence, Senator Sandy Macdonald, today launched a major Defence trial aimed at testing the ability of an unmanned aircraft to perform maritime surveillance in Australia’s North West Shelf. Senator Macdonald said the...
Posted by Darren

USAF upgrades surveillance abilities

'The Air Force Special Operations Command is reactivating its 11th Intelligence Squadron in a global effort to combat terrorism. The 11th Intelligence Squadron, under the Air Force Special Operations Command, is commanded by Lt. Col. David Hambleton and assigned...
Posted by Darren