The US Air Force does not intend to keep the Block 30 Northrop Grumman RQ-4B Global Hawk in service past the end of the calendar year 2014 because the Lockheed Martin U-2 and other “classified platforms” can take over its mission, senior service leaders told Congress on 17 April. However, USAF officials acknowledge that it will be hard to convince Congress to go along with their plans. Continue reading
Monthly Archives: April 2013
Advanced Defense Technologies Targets UAS Technologies at Precision Agriculture Applications
Advanced Defense Technologies Inc. announced the availability of its unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) technology for precision agriculture applications. Continue reading
Syrian Opposition Pushes for UAS Cover and “No-Fly” Zone
The Syrian opposition urged the U.S. and allies to use UAS against the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, provide weapons to opposition fighters, and create a protected “no-fly zone” airspace within Syria at a meeting of allies in Istanbul on Saturday. Continue reading
China Hosts Second International UAV Innovation Grand Prix
The International UAV Innovation Grand Prix (UAVGP 2013) will be held in Beijing in September, 19th-25th, 2013 with a total prize of RMB 1.7 million (USD 275,000 ), composed of Athletics Grand Prix, Creativity Grand Prix, Air Show, Innovative Works Exhibition and Innovation Forum. Continue reading
NASA Books Reveal Wisdom Gained from UAS Failures
Preventing future aviation accidents is the motive behind two books published by NASA, one brand new and one that is a year old and has been so popular a second printing was ordered.
Catalina PBY-5a in RNZAF WWII Colours
New Zealand’s only airworthy Catalina PBY-5a undertakes a submarine bombing mission (tongue-in-cheek reenactment) during its display at the Classic Fighters 2003 airshow held at Omaka Aerodrome, Blenheim, New Zealand. Continue reading
Lighter Than Air Systems Sells Aerostat Winches to US Army
World Surveillance Group Inc., a developer of lighter-than-air aerostats and unmanned aerial systems, announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Lighter Than Air Systems Corp. (“LTAS”), has provided seven critical aerostat launcher electric main winches and spare components to support the Small Tactical Multi-Payload Aerostat System (“STMPAS”) for the U.S. Army Rapid Equipping Force (“REF”). Continue reading
The UN Security Council Should Deploy UAS in Ivory Coast
The U.N. Security Council should consider deploying unmanned surveillance aircraft in Ivory Coast to aid the world body’s peacekeeping mission in the west African country, Ivory Coast’s U.N. envoy said on Tuesday, echoing a recommendation by the U.N. chief. Continue reading