FLIR Systems, Inc. has announced at IDEX that the Star SAFIRE 380-HD electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensor has been selected by General Atomics as the leading EO/IR sensor candidate for various Predator XP UAS projects in the Middle East and North Africa.
Category Archives: Payloads
Goodrich Flies Embla at Avalon Airshow
Goodrich Corporation will be displaying the Embla VTOL UAS at next week’s Avalon 2011 International Airshow at Geelong, Victoria in Australia. Continue reading
Camcopter Tests in UAE with L-3 Com Wescam
Abu Dhabi Autonomous Systems Investments Company (ADASI) and L-3 Communications WESCAM have announced the first flight of a CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS with the WESCAM MX-10 EO/IR payload installed in the United Arab Emirates. After brief installation and integration activities by the ADASI team, the MX-10 completed three proving flights at ADASI’s test range in the UAE.
UAS Detects Water Leaks
UAS adapted for water leak detection Photo: Arad
An Israeli company, Arad Technologies, a world leader in wireless automatic meter reading systems, has recently developed a two pound Unmanned Aircraft that can travel 900 feet above ground and detect water leaks. It can collect data from water meters every 11 to 30 seconds and capture readings of a whole city in less than one hour.
Magna Parva to Focus on UAS – New Head of Defence Business
UK extreme engineering specialist Magna Parva, known for its Payload Release Devices for UAS, has appointed Chris Day to head up its defence business. The appointment will boost the company’s expertise in unmanned aircraft systems, a field of increasing focus for Magna Parva. His previous position was VP ISTAR & UAV Systems at global aerospace company Thales, where he was also director of the £150 million Thales / Elbit JV company UtaCs.
Gorgon Stares But Can’t See
A draft report by the US Air Force’s 53rd Wing Group at Eglin Air Force Base said that the new system, dubbed Gorgon Stare*, had “significant limitations,” and is “not operationally effective” and should therefore not be deployed in the field. The Sierra Nevada built device transmits live video from nine cameras and is intended to cover a three-mile area. It has been in development for the last two years. Testers found 13 serious deficiencies in the system, including:
Schiebel Camcopter Flies with Wescam L-3 Payload
Camcopter with MX-10 Photo: Wescam L-3
Schiebel Aircraft GmbH and Wescam L-3 Communications have announced the first flight of a CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS with the Wescam MX-10 EO/IR payload installed. After brief installation and integration activities of a joint L-3 Wescam Schiebel team, the MX-10 flew successfully at a test range near the Schiebel production facility in Wiener Neustadt, Austria.