Scientists are testing a drone fitted with its own “nervous system” which they claim can keep it operating in the sky for longer. It was created by experts at the University of Southampton who say the system, made of optical fibers, reduces the frequency it needs to land for inspection. Continue reading
Category Archives: Applications & Testing & Experience
UK Tests Helicopter-Launched Missiles to Intercept Drones
In the first air-to-air trial of its kind, the crew of a Wildcat used the Martlet missile – designed to take out enemy surface targets – to destroy a Banshee jet flying at hundreds of miles an hour over the Bristol Channel. Continue reading
GA-ASI’s Gray Eagle Extended Range UAS Supports Army Vanguard Demos
As part of the U.S. Army’s Vanguard demonstrations that took place in Fort Huachuca, Arizona, on Sept. 17–18, 2024, a Gray Eagle Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System provided by the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) showcased several new capabilities, including the integration of an Expeditionary Cyber Chassis (ECC) for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) and Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) with Communications Intelligence (COMINT) and Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) radios from Silvus Technologies. Continue reading
Airbus and Partners Demonstrate Collaboration between Helicopters and Unmanned Systems
– Airbus Helicopters and its partners have conducted a full scale demonstration of a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) system developed as part of a project funded by the European Union and code-named MUSHER. The demonstration took place in France and Italy from 30 September to 9 October and involved multiple manned helicopters and unmanned systems connected to a single MUM-T network. Continue reading
Skydweller Completes Autonomous Solar-Powered Flight Test Campaign
– Skydweller Aero has successfully completed the uncrewed autonomous flight test campaign of its Skydweller Unmanned Aerial System. A series of uncrewed flight tests – with the two longest being 16 hours and 22 ½ hours – were launched from the company’s facility at Stennis International Airport in Kiln, Mississippi. Continue reading
Mayman Aerospace Completes Successful RAZOR VTOL Aircraft Flight Tests
– Mayman Aerospace has completed successful flight tests at a military base in the Southern California desert of its RAZOR test bed VTOL aircraft. The RAZOR test bed is exactly the same dimensions and weight as the RAZOR P100 and uses the same propulsion, engine gimballing, thrust vectoring and flight control systems. Continue reading
US Marine Corps Successfully Demonstrate Link 16 in Third XQ-58 Valkyrie Test Flight
The Marine Corps’ XQ-58A Valkyrie successfully completed its third test flight on Sept. 20, 2024, at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. This flight was conducted in partnership with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, and industry partners. Continue reading
BAE Systems Australia Set for First Test Flight of STRIX UAS
The first test flight of BAE Systems Australia‘s (BAESA’s) STRIX Uncrewed Aerial System is scheduled for mid-October, with the company citing the vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) platform as a unique combination of operation, range, and payload. Continue reading