Category Archives: Applications & Testing & Experience

SkyRunner FAA Certified Aircraft for CSAR


The SkyRunner MK3.2 is the first FAA certified, Light-Sport aircraft to support DoD and CSAR missions. As the battle space continues to expand, new and innovative solutions are needed to solve complex tactical challenges. SkyRunner combines both ground and air solutions to go almost anywhere and is customizable for multiple mission sets.

SkyRunner selected the Collins TASE400 BLK ll and TASE400 LD STANAG 3733 imaging sensors. The TASE family of systems was selected because it is battle proven, highly reliable, and provides high performance EO/IR in one of the lowest Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) systems on the market.  TASE sensors utilize High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC), H.265 compression providing faster data transfer and better image quality. The ability to provide real-time high quality imagery is absolutely critical to defeating adversaries.

Autonomous flight is needed to enable SkyRunner to effectively support key future operational mission profiles. The Collins Piccolo flight management system has been selected as the ideal solution to fully automate the SkyRunner. Piccolo will provide navigation with GPS/INS accuracy and support a broad suite of complex missions where a quick response and sustaining operations are needed.

Source: Press Release

GA-ASI Participates in US Pacific Fleet’s Unmanned Integrated Battle Problem

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) participated in U.S. Pacific Fleet’s (PACFLT) Unmanned Integrated Battle Problem ‘21 (UxS IBP 21), April 21-26, 2021. The UxS IBP 21 integrated manned and unmanned capabilities into the most challenging operational scenarios to generate war fighting advantages. Continue reading →

Northrop Grumman Completes Successful First Flight of Japan’s RQ-4B Global Hawk

Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully completed the first flight of Japan’s RQ-4B Global Hawk on April 15, 2021 from Palmdale, California. With an unmatched combination of range, endurance, and payload capability, Global Hawk is the only platform that provides greater data collection flexibility than space or medium-altitude assets. Continue reading →

Xwing Conducts Fully Autonomous Gate-to-Gate Cargo Flight with Cessna Aircraft

Xwing, a San Francisco startup developing technologies for self-flying aircraft, announced that it has completed what it called the world’s first fully autonomous demonstration flight of a commercial cargo aircraft from gate to gate. The Cessna Grand Caravan 208 pulled away from Xwing’s hangar in Concord, California, taxied, took off, landed and returned to the gate entirely on its own. Continue reading →

VSR700 Achieves First Step in Flight Envelope Opening

A few weeks ago, the Airbus VSR700 demonstrator achieved a test flight that pushed its speed limit to 60 kts (more than 110km/h), entirely opening its flight envelope at low speed. At the end of the test, the demonstrator had accumulated more than 10 flight hours. Thanks to this milestone, the VSR700 programme is getting closer to its goal: providing the French Navy with a sea-demonstration-compatible Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). Continue reading →