German actuator specialist Volz Servos GmbH has been awarded a contract by Airbus as supplier for the SIRTAP high-end tactical UAS. Volz will provide the Airbus SIRTAP drones with DA 26 actuators for the air conditioning system. Continue reading
Russia Unveils Aerostat-Based Anti-Drone Defense System
The Russian defense industry has introduced a new anti-drone defense system called Barrier, developed by the Russian company Pervyy Dirizhabl (First Dirigible). This system utilizes aerostat technology, commonly known as barrage balloons, to counter unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Continue reading
Rantizo Gets FAA Approval for Advanced Drone Operations
The largest drone spraying network in the country, Rantizo, has achieved a significant milestone in drone operations with the approval of an amendment to Exemption No. 18929B, allowing Rantizo service hub operators to swarm up to 3 drones over 55 pounds, without a visual observer, and at night. Continue reading
Belarus Unveils Iranian-Designed Drones in Military Parade
Iranian-designed Shahed-136 drones, known as Geran-2 in Russia, were showcased in Belarusian service for the first time during a military parade in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. Continue reading
Fireworks vs Drones for the 4th of July
Reviews are mixed and some municipalities are going back to fireworks. Continue reading
Russia and China Partner on Developing a New Attack Drone
Russian and Chinese companies are said to be in the process of making Iranian replica drones for use in Ukraine. Initially reported by Bloomberg, the news reportedly comes from unnamed European officials “familiar with the matter.” Continue reading
Brazilian Navy Issues Request for Quotation for Chinese Drones
On June 21, 2024, the Brazilian Naval Commission in Washington (CNBW), USA, issued Request for Quotation (RFQ) No. Q2024-0074, aiming to select two Chinese unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) of the types Mavic 3 and Matrice. Continue reading
Bartini Beriev 2500 – Gigantic Russian Ekranoplan Aircraft Carrier
Ekranoplans are a sort of mix of an aircraft and a hovercraft using ground effect to fly or skim a few meters above the ground (normally the water). It is sometimes assumed that the Soviets just copied Western aircraft design (such as with the Tupolev Tu-4 – a B-29 copy) and were always playing catch-up. Continue reading