UAS VISION
an independent online news service for the Unmanned Aircraft Systems world
Piasecki Aircraft Corporation has announced that it has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the Department of Energy (DOE) to evaluate the feasibility of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powered Urban Air Mobility (UAM) rotorcraft. The study is focused on the feasibility of using hydrogen fuel cells as a power source for vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAM vehicles, which are expected to play a significant role in the future of urban transportation. Continue reading
Propulsion systems in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) must be highly reliable, as the motors are mission-critical components. A proof of reliability is therefore important and is required by every engine manufacturer. Sky Power GmbH therefore tested its SP-110 FI TS GEN and SP-210 FI TS GEN to demonstrate its endurance and reliability with a highly loaded running profile in accordance with FAR33. Continue reading
Suter is launching its new HF-TOA288-SDI heavy fuel engine at this years’ xPonential 2024 in San Diego, CA. This new 22.5hp unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) engine meets the growing demand for engines utilizing jet fuel (Jet-A1, JP5, JP8) to meet safety and logistics goals of global customers. Continue reading
Hermeus, the company operationalizing hypersonic aircraft, has unveiled its first aircraft — Quarterhorse Mk 1 — which will take flight later this year. Designed, built, and integrated in just seven months, this is the company’s second fully-integrated vehicle in the past year, following Quarterhorse Mk 0 which completed its test campaign in November 2023. Continue reading
Researchers at the Institute of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Southern Denmark have just published a study demonstrating fully autonomous self-recharging drone system capable of long-duration sustained operations near powerlines. Continue reading
The North American Wave Engine Corporation, a developer of affordable next-gen propulsion technology and aerial systems, has demonstrated complete flight capability on a UAV using a jet engine that requires no moving parts. A demonstration flight included self-powered take-off, climb-cruise and landing. Continue reading
On March 1, 2024, Japan’s Hien Aero Technologies made headlines by successfully conducting Asia’s first levitation test for a large, unmanned electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft powered by a gas turbine. This landmark event marks a significant step forward in the development of hybrid eVTOLs, showcasing the potential for longer flight ranges and higher operational efficiency compared to their electric counterparts. Continue reading
The Department of the Air Force, or DAF, completed testing of the 400 Hz Aircraft Power Lightcart, or 400 APL in January 2024. The tests, which were conducted with the 174th Attack Wing at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York, saw the prototype successfully power an MQ-9, or Predator, through a series of technical orders. Continue reading