Unmanned

Sikorsky unveils Matrix™ Technology to Advance VTOL Autonomy

Sikorsky unveils Matrix™ Technology to Advance VTOL Autonomy

19-Aug-2013Source: Sikorsky

Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), has unveiled a major research program — designated MATRIX™ Technology — to develop, test and field systems and software that will improve significantly the capability, reliability and safety of flight for autonomous, optionally piloted, and piloted vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft. In collaboration with... Read more

MQ-8B Fire Scout passes 5,000 flight hours in Afghanistan

MQ-8B Fire Scout passes 5,000 flight hours in Afghanistan

19-Aug-2013Source: Northrop Grumman

The Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC)-built MQ-8B Fire Scout unmanned helicopter surpassed 5,000 flight hours while providing critical surveillance capabilities to field commanders in Afghanistan. Since deploying to Afghanistan in 2011, the MQ-8 Fire Scout system has provided real-time airborne surveillance and targeting supporting counter improvised explosive devices (IEDs), provided targeting support and delivered real-time video to... Read more

Fire Scout surpasses flight hour record aboard USS Samuel B. Roberts

Fire Scout surpasses flight hour record aboard USS Samuel B. Roberts

14-Aug-2013Source: US Navy

Helicopter Strike Maritime Squadron (HSM) 46, Det. 9 recently surpassed the MQ-8B Fire Scout’s previous monthly flight hour record while performing operations at sea aboard USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG 58). In June, four Fire Scouts that embarked on the frigate flew 333 flight hours, exceeding the unmanned helicopter’s previously monthly operational flight time record... Read more

Sikorsky unveils new Matrix autonomy technology

Sikorsky unveils new Matrix autonomy technology

9-Aug-2013Source: Defense News

The company plans to formally introduce the technology at the AUVSI conference Aug. 12 in Washington, D.C. – see full story HeliHub.com editor note – The S76B in photo in the Defense News article is registered N760PV.  Seven Six Zero Papa Victor.  Sikorsky hopes we all read this as Seven Six Oscar Papa Victor, but... Read more

Scion UAS completes first flight of SA-400 optionally piloted helicopter

Scion UAS completes first flight of SA-400 optionally piloted helicopter

7-Aug-2013Source: Scion UAS

Scion UAS completed the first test flights of the production SA-400 Jackal. The first flight comes after extensive flight tests of the prototype helicopter and shortly after receiving a special airworthiness certificate for experimental research and development for the optionally piloted SA-400 helicopter. The SA-400 Jackal is a turbine powered vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL)... Read more

First upgraded MQ-8C Fire Scout delivered to US Navy

First upgraded MQ-8C Fire Scout delivered to US Navy

31-Jul-2013Source: Northrop Grumman

The U.S. Navy got its first look at the upgraded MQ-8 Fire Scout unmanned system when Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) delivered its first MQ-8C system this month. Northrop Grumman is the Navy’s prime contractor for the MQ-8 Fire Scout program of record. The company delivered the first MQ-8C aircraft to the Navy in early July... Read more

Kaman reports 2013 Q2 results

Kaman reports 2013 Q2 results

31-Jul-2013Source: Kaman

HeliHub.com editor note – these are extracts from the full release, which includes the financial statements Neal J. Keating, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We achieved strong overall results for the second quarter led by the performance at Aerospace and the sequential improvement in operating profit at Distribution. Aerospace delivered an operating profit... Read more

Kaman announces date for 2013 Q2 earnings

Kaman announces date for 2013 Q2 earnings

28-Jul-2013Source: Kaman

Kaman Corp. (NYSE:KAMN) announced today that it will report its second quarter 2013 results after the stock market closes on Monday, July 29, 2013, and host a live webcast and conference call at 8:30am ET on Tuesday, July 30, 2013. The call will be accessible by telephone at (877) 415-3177 and from outside the U.S.... Read more

Denver Police says no police UAVs in near future

Denver Police says no police UAVs in near future

12-Jul-2013Source: Denver Post

Denver Police Chief Robert White says he appreciates technological advances but told a City Council committee on Tuesday he won’t put police drones into Denver air space any time soon. see full story... Read more

Rotorcraft project earns research achievement honor

Rotorcraft project earns research achievement honor

8-Jul-2013Source: Redstone Rocket

Since its commission, the project has developed a comprehensive small- and full-scale autonomous helicopter research capability using unique in-house skills in helicopter guidance and flight control, robotics planning and scheduling, and emerging unmanned aircraft sensor technology. see full story... Read more

South Australian Police to buy four UAVs

South Australian Police to buy four UAVs

4-Jul-2013Source: The Australian

Police Minister Michael O’Brien said UAVs have become a recognised policing tool throughout the world.  see full story... Read more

LockMart demos management of varied UAVs from single control system

LockMart demos management of varied UAVs from single control system

3-Jul-2013Source: Lockheed Martin

During a recent demonstration at NAVAIR,Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] monitored and controlled multiple types of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) from one integrated command and control (C2) system. Controlling both the unmanned air vehicles and their on-board mission system sensors, Lockheed Martin’s system fully integrated with other Navy C2 and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) planning... Read more

Camcopter completes flight tests with “Deckfinder” non-GPS approach

Camcopter completes flight tests with “Deckfinder” non-GPS approach

3-Jul-2013Source: Schiebel

Schiebel has successfully concluded a series of flight trials with EADS Astrium’s Pseudolite-based Local Positioning System “DeckFinder”, expanding its automated launch and recovery capability for operation where access to GPS has been denied. Schiebel integrated the DeckFinder Receiver Segment into a CAMCOPTER® S-100 and deployed the DeckFinder Ground Segment at the Schiebel Testing Grounds close... Read more

Qingdao to produce unmanned helicopters

Qingdao to produce unmanned helicopters

3-Jul-2013Source: China Daily

The Qingdao Hongbaichuan Metal Precision Products Co and Tianjin Shuguang Jingye Science Co signed a contract for partnership on manufacturing unmanned helicopters on June 30 – see full story... Read more

Denver councilman urges city to consider ‘drones’ over helicopter

Denver councilman urges city to consider ‘drones’ over helicopter

1-Jul-2013Source: Denver Post

Denver Councilman Chris Nevitt suggested this week that the city look at adding unmanned aerial vehicles, also known as drones, to replace the police helicopter.  See full story Image – Draganfly X-6, a typical UAV used by law enforcement agencies... Read more

Significant growth in Middle East military UAV opportunities

Significant growth in Middle East military UAV opportunities

27-Jun-2013Source: Frost & Sullivan

Growing demand supported by strong intent and investment capability is expanding the market for military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the Middle East. The region is already considered a lucrative market for defence. UAV development efforts by some Middle East nations coupled with imports from the U.S. will strongly bolster market expansion. Currently, the U.S. and Israel are the top... Read more

AutoCopter™ – The Precision Ag Solution

AutoCopter™ – The Precision Ag Solution

26-Jun-2013Source: AutoCopter

The AutoCopter™ is a UAV helicopter providing remote sensing of crops using three full-sized cameras (multi-spectral, DSLR and HD Video) while flying a GPS plan for over two hours without the need to refill fuel.  After landing the data is moved to the ground control station and processed and created into GeoTiff images to import directly into... Read more

Camcopter S-100 increases experience on French Navy patrol vessel

Camcopter S-100 increases experience on French Navy patrol vessel

17-Jun-2013Source: Schiebel

Since the OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel) L´Adroit was officially made available to the French Navy in October 2011, the CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) was able to prove its highly efficient maritime capability repeatedly. The Gowind Class L’Adroit, build by DCNS, has been designed to operate, amongst other capabilities, a UAS, and by installing... Read more

ERDF and Cassidian working on unmanned powerline inspections

ERDF and Cassidian working on unmanned powerline inspections

17-Jun-2013Source: Cassidian

A cooperative experiment that has been on-going for about a year between French electricity distribution network operator ERDF (Electricité Réseau Distribution France) in the “Sillon Rhodanien” region and Survey Copter, a subsidiary of Cassidian, aims to define and develop UAV usage for the inspection of medium-high-voltage aerial power lines. The use of specially dedicated UAVs will... Read more

Remote-controlled helicopter tested for use in vineyard applications

Remote-controlled helicopter tested for use in vineyard applications

17-Jun-2013Source: UC Davis

Under the watchful eye of news media and area winegrape growers, a remote-controlled helicopter, fitted with a spray applicator system, was field tested today over a vineyard in the heart of the famed Napa Valley by engineers at the University of California, Davis, and Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA. For 20 years, the small motorcyle-sized helicopter,... Read more

Paris Air Show – Cassidian presents its Tanan 300 compact VTOL Tactical UAS

Paris Air Show – Cassidian presents its Tanan 300 compact VTOL Tactical UAS

16-Jun-2013Source: Cassidian

TANANTM 300 Cassidian presents its TANANTM 300 new-generation compact VTOL Tactical UAS (Vertical Take-Off and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial System) for maritime and land missions. Designed in close collaboration with potential customers in order to match their specific requirements, TANANTM 300 is a real ‘eye in the sky’ thanks to a full HD imagery chain and to its... Read more

New Draganflyer X4-ES Ultra Portable UAV released

New Draganflyer X4-ES Ultra Portable UAV released

5-Jun-2013Source: Draganflyer

UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) able to carry high quality cameras have, until today, required prohibitively large transport cases. This has been changed by the release of Draganfly Innovations’ new Draganflyer X4-ES Ultra Portable Quadrotor UAV. Featuring new quick release patent pending tool-less removable rotors, new folding landing gear, and a new sleek molded carbon fiber,... Read more

05-Jun-13 Kaman K-Max Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan

05-Jun-13 Kaman K-Max Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan

5-Jun-2013

Helicopter was delivering cargo to a predetermined location without the input of a UAV pilot.... Read more

ING Robotic Aviation announced as Canada’s Reseller for Huginn X1 UAV

ING Robotic Aviation announced as Canada’s Reseller for Huginn X1 UAV

4-Jun-2013Source: ING Robotic Aviation

ING Robotic Aviation is proud to announce that it has just entered into a partnership with Anthea Technologies to become the sole Canadian reseller of the Huginn X1 ‘quad rotor’ vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).  The X1 is an outstanding platform in terms of reliability, cost and flexibility, and is the best... Read more

AHS Micro Air Vehicle Student Challenge Winners Announced

AHS Micro Air Vehicle Student Challenge Winners Announced

30-May-2013

The Micro Air Vehicle Student Challenge was held at the AHS Forum 69 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona on Tuesday May 21. The Challenge was held at 5:30 p.m. in the exhibit hall during the Industry/Exhibitor Reception. The MAV Student Challenge pitted five student-researcher teams in a competition for up to $3,000 in prizes sponsored... Read more

TAI shows R300 unmanned helicopter

TAI shows R300 unmanned helicopter

16-May-2013Source: Flight Global

Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has unveiled the R300 unmanned helicopter, which it is aiming at meeting the requirements of the nation’s land forces and navy. (See Full Story)... Read more

Schiebel denies knowledge of Camcopter on Chinese warship

Schiebel denies knowledge of Camcopter on Chinese warship

16-May-2013Source: Flight Global

Austrian unmanned air vehicle manufacturer Schiebel says it has no knowledge of whether its Camcopter system has performed flights from a Chinese warship, despite apparent Japanese evidence of its use.          (See Full Story)... Read more

Boston police want drones for 2014 marathon security

Boston police want drones for 2014 marathon security

29-Apr-2013Source: The Washington Times

Boston’s top cop wants drones hovering over next year’s marathon, but getting his hands on one may be easier said than done. More than 30 states, including Massachusetts, are rushing to restrict the use of drones by law enforcement, with some seeking to ban it in all but the most extreme circumstances. (See Full Story)... Read more

Eurocopter reveals optionally-piloted EC145

Eurocopter reveals optionally-piloted EC145

26-Apr-2013Source: Eurocopter

Eurocopter’s ability to integrate unmanned flight capabilities into its helicopter family has been validated by an optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) demonstration program, which used an EC145 to fly routes that included deployment of an external sling load and a representative observation mission. Conducted at the French Air Force base in Istres, France, this program was... Read more

RCMP fly Draganflyer UAV for accident/crime investigation work

RCMP fly Draganflyer UAV for accident/crime investigation work

25-Mar-2013Source: RCMP

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police is a leading North American national police force, covering three Canadian territories, eight provinces, more than 190 municipalities, 184 Aboriginal communities, and three international airports. The “F” division is responsible for the Saskatchewan region and like other divisions, is always looking for new technology to improve their level of service... Read more

Will TV news helicopters be replaced by drones?

Will TV news helicopters be replaced by drones?

22-Mar-2013Source: CBS News

TV’s eyes in the sky have been around for decades and are often indispensible for covering news scenes. On the horizon (figuratively, if not literally) are drones that do the same thing (see full story)... Read more

US Marines extend K-MAX unmanned helicopter’s use in Afghanistan

US Marines extend K-MAX unmanned helicopter’s use in Afghanistan

18-Mar-2013Source: Reuters

The U.S. Marine Corps has extended indefinitely its use of two unmanned K-MAX heavy lift helicopters in Afghanistan, a Navy spokeswoman said, noting the aircraft kept re-supply trucks off the road and reduced the threat of roadside bombs. The Marine Corps sent the new autonomous helicopters, which were developed by Lockheed Martin Corp and privately-held... Read more

Northrop Grumman to Produce More MQ-8C Fire Scouts for US Navy

Northrop Grumman to Produce More MQ-8C Fire Scouts for US Navy

13-Mar-2013Source: Northrop Grumman

The U.S. Navy has awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) a contract valued at more than $71 million to produce six additional next-generation Fire Scout unmanned helicopters. The Fire Scout endurance upgrade, designated the MQ-8C and based on Bell Helicopter’s 407, will provide ship commanders with increased range, endurance and payload capacity over the current MQ-8B... Read more

MQ-8B exceeds 8,000 hour milestone aboard USS Bradley

MQ-8B exceeds 8,000 hour milestone aboard USS Bradley

13-Mar-2013Source: U.S. Navy

After exceeding the 8,000-flight-hour mark Friday, an MQ-8B Fire Scout assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 22 Detachment 5 prepares to land aboard USS Robert G. Bradley for a “hot pump” and re-launch while conducting maritime intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) operations in the Mediterranean Sea March 11. Fire Scouts aboard Bradley are routinely flying 17-hour days... Read more

Monroe City Council unanimously approves drone aircraft

Monroe City Council unanimously approves drone aircraft

12-Mar-2013

City Officials told a local television station Friday funds from asset forfeiture will be used to purchase the drones. (see full story)... Read more

FAA approves Arlington Police’s drones

FAA approves Arlington Police’s drones

11-Mar-2013Source: Star Telegram

The Arlington Police Department recently won approval from the federal government to fly two remote-control helicopters for public safety purposes ( see full story)... Read more

AIAA To Host California Policy Symposium on Civilian UAV Applications

AIAA To Host California Policy Symposium on Civilian UAV Applications

27-Feb-2013Source: AIAA

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will host a March symposium on the nonmilitary uses of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The “AIAA Policy Symposium: Civilian Applications of UAVs – A California Perspective” will take place March 26–28, 2013, at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza, Thousand Oaks, Calif. The event is co-hosted by Lt. Gov.... Read more

Kaman reports 2012 Q4 and Full Year Results

Kaman reports 2012 Q4 and Full Year Results

26-Feb-2013Source: Kaman

Fourth Quarter 2012 Highlights From Continuing Operations: Diluted earnings per share of $0.52 ($0.61 Adjusted*), up 40.5% (15.1% Adjusted*) Net sales $399.3 million Distribution operating margin: 4.5% (4.6% Adjusted*) Aerospace operating margin: 15.0% (17.8% Adjusted*) Full Year 2012 Highlights From Continuing Operations: Diluted earnings per share of $2.03 ($2.18 Adjusted*), up 8.0% (8.5% Adjusted*) Record... Read more

California County Inching Toward Drone Deployment?

California County Inching Toward Drone Deployment?

22-Feb-2013Source: Wired

Alameda County, just east of San Francisco, is closing in on becoming one of dozens of local law enforcement agencies nationwide to deploy the unmanned crafts. (see full story)... Read more

Kaman Corp adds another director

Kaman Corp adds another director

20-Feb-2013Source: Kaman

Kaman Corp. (NYSE:KAMN) today announced that Scott E. Kuechle, 53, has been appointed to the Board of Directors. The appointment of Kuechle, effective immediately, increases the Kaman board to ten members. Neal J. Keating, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer said, “Scott is a welcome addition to our board, bringing significant financial... Read more

Camcopter S-100 flies again at IDEX

Camcopter S-100 flies again at IDEX

20-Feb-2013Source: Schiebel

The 2013 IDEX International Defence Exhibition features an active participation of Schiebel, as the company underlines its continued strong market position with the proven CAMCOPTER® S-100 (UAE Armed Forces designation Al Saber) Unmanned Air System (UAS). Schiebel’s presence during the biennial trade show includes daily flight demonstrations, integrated with other air traffic, directly in the... Read more

Thales I-Master radar completes Camcopter flight trials

Thales I-Master radar completes Camcopter flight trials

19-Feb-2013Source: Schiebel

Thales’ I-Master radar system has successfully completed flight trials on-board a Schiebel CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS (Unmanned Air System). The flight trials on CAMCOPTER® S-100 took place on 7 February 2013 at the Schiebel test facility in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. The flights, each lasting several hours, successfully proved both sensor performance and the stability of data... Read more

FAA requests proposals for UAV test sites

FAA requests proposals for UAV test sites

14-Feb-2013Source: FAA

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today solicited proposals from state and local governments, eligible universities and other public entities to develop six unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) research and test sites around the country. Through the FAA Modernization and Reform Act of 2012, Congress directed the FAA to establish this program to conduct critical research into... Read more

Seattle Mayor orders Police to end UAV usage

Seattle Mayor orders Police to end UAV usage

12-Feb-2013Source: HeliHub.com

Mayor Mike McGlinn issued the following brief statement “Today I spoke with Seattle Police Chief John Diaz and we agreed that it was time to end the unmanned aerial vehicle program, so that SPD can focus its resources on public safety and the community building work that is the department’s priority. The vehicles will be... Read more

Unmanned K-Max is nominee for Collier Trophy

Unmanned K-Max is nominee for Collier Trophy

11-Feb-2013Source: National Aeronautic Association

The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) today announced that seven aviation and aerospace projects will compete for the prestigious 2012 Robert J. Collier Trophy. The Collier Trophy, the “Greatest Award in Aviation,” has been the benchmark of aviation and aerospace achievement for over 100 years.  Awarded annually “….for the greatest achievement in aeronautics or astronautics in... Read more

More avionics protection for MQ-8C Fire Scout

More avionics protection for MQ-8C Fire Scout

1-Feb-2013Source: Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) received the first protective cage for its next-generation MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopter that will store and shield the aircraft’s critical electronic components from strong electric fields and electromagnetic waves. A photo accompanying this release is available athttp://media.globenewswire.com/noc/mediagallery.html?pkgid=16944. Without the cage, electrical components inside the helicopter would be susceptible to lightning... Read more

RCMP to expand use of unmanned mini-helicopters

RCMP to expand use of unmanned mini-helicopters

28-Jan-2013Source: National Post

“It’s starting to catch on more and more. Eventually, I think you’ll see (unmanned aerial vehicles) in almost all the provinces,” said RCMP Staff Sgt. Dave Domoney (see full story)... Read more

Sheriff reassures Orange County residents on use of UAV program

Sheriff reassures Orange County residents on use of UAV program

25-Jan-2013Source: Orange County Sheriff

We are currently in a test phase of this Unmanned Aerial Surveillance (UAS) platform and will not be using this UAS until we have appropriate permissions and have implemented training and guidelines. The OCSO has no intention of using this technology to spy on the citizens of Orange County, but to have it as a... Read more

Unmanned K-MAX Wins Top Innovation Honors, USMC Praise

Unmanned K-MAX Wins Top Innovation Honors, USMC Praise

9-Jan-2013Source: Kaman

The unmanned K-MAX(R) helicopter’s peerless ability to resupply combat troops safely, precisely and efficiently has won top honors from the prestigious magazines Popular Science and Aviation Week and has garnered high praise from the U.S. Marine Corps, which is expanding the aircraft’s role in Afghanistan. “We are proud of the Unmanned K-MAX’s performance in supporting... Read more

UC Davis demo unmanned helicopter spraying vineyards

UC Davis demo unmanned helicopter spraying vineyards

9-Jan-2013Source: Wines & Vines

Professors at the University of California, Davis, recently demonstrated an unmanned helicopter that could have numerous vineyard uses including spraying liquid and granular pesticides, seeding cover crops and sensing and implementing precision agriculture. (see full story)... Read more

Northrop Grumman, Navy select Telephonics radar for Fire Scout

Northrop Grumman, Navy select Telephonics radar for Fire Scout

9-Jan-2013Source: Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC), under contract to the U.S. Navy, has selected Telephonics Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Griffon Corporation (NYSE:GFF), Long Island, N.Y., to provide a multimode maritime radar system for the Navy’s MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical takeoff and landing tactical unmanned aerial vehicle. A $33 million contract was awarded to provide the... Read more

AIAA to host policy symposium on civil applications of UAVs

AIAA to host policy symposium on civil applications of UAVs

1-Jan-2013Source: AIAA

The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) will host a March symposium on the nonmilitary uses of unmanned aerial vehicles. The “AIAA Policy Symposium: Civilian Applications of UAVs – A California Perspective” will take place March 26–28, 2013, at the Hyatt Westlake Plaza, Thousand Oaks, Calif. The event is co-hosted by California State Assemblyman... Read more

Camcopter integrates with Riegl’s VQ-820-GU airborne survey system

Camcopter integrates with Riegl’s VQ-820-GU airborne survey system

21-Dec-2012Source: Schiebel Industries

Schiebel and Riegl Laser Measurement Systems GmbH are proud to announce the successful integration of the Schiebel CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) together with the Riegl VQ®-820-GU Hydrographic Airborne Sensor. This successful integration marked the first time that this new airborne sensor was flown on board of a UAV. The S-100 helicopter UAS carried... Read more

Boeing names new VP/GM of Unmanned Airborne Systems Programs

Boeing names new VP/GM of Unmanned Airborne Systems Programs

18-Dec-2012Source: Boeing

Company veteran Michael Kurth will oversee Boeing’s (NYSE:BA) unmanned airborne systems as of Jan. 1. Kurth, currently managing director of Boeing Defence UK Ltd. (BDUK), will relocate to St. Louis as vice president and general manager, Unmanned Airborne Systems Programs, reporting to Boeing Military Aircraft President Chris Chadwick. David Pitchforth, managing director for UK Rotorcraft Support, a... Read more

Boeing demos Unmanned Little Bird to Korea

Boeing demos Unmanned Little Bird to Korea

17-Dec-2012Source: Boeing

Boeing [NYSE: BA] today demonstrated affordable unmanned aircraft technology that could be integrated onto Republic of Korea Army (ROKA) MD 500 helicopters to expand the fleet’s mission capabilities. A Boeing Unmanned Little Bird (ULB) demonstrator aircraft, a variant of the highly successful MD 500 helicopter, autonomously flew for approximately 25 minutes at the ROKA Aviation... Read more

DARPA funds trials of unmanned hovering UAV with robot arm

DARPA funds trials of unmanned hovering UAV with robot arm

11-Dec-2012Source: DARPA

When a person reaches out to place an object in just the right place, their mind makes a series of judgments requiring vision, stability and careful movement. Trying to do the same thing robotically from a hovering unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) requires several technology advances. A DARPA-funded technology demonstration recently finished a successful testing of... Read more

EHS Announce Patron for 2013 event

EHS Announce Patron for 2013 event

11-Dec-2012Source: European Helicopter Show

European Helicopter Show is pleased to announce the patronage of Mr Přemysl Sobotka, Vice-President of the Senate of Parliament, Czech Republic. The political career of Mr Přemysl Sobotka started in the Velvet Revolution in 1989, where he was a member of the “for-all” Civic Forum and joined the right-wing Civic Democratic Party after its foundation... Read more

FAA approves Grand Forks County Sheriff to use Draganflyer X6 UAS

FAA approves Grand Forks County Sheriff to use Draganflyer X6 UAS

11-Dec-2012Source: Grand Forks County

On November 27, 2012 the Federal Aviation Administration issued the Grand Forks County (North Dakota) Sheriff’s Department a Certificate of Authorization (COA) permitting the operation of a Draganflyer X6 small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) within the 16 counties located in northeastern North Dakota. The counties include: Grand Forks, Rolette, Towner, Cavalier, Pembina, Pierce, Benson, Ramsey,... Read more

US Army Black Hawk flies autonomously over California

US Army Black Hawk flies autonomously over California

6-Dec-2012Source: US Army

Over the skies east of San Jose, a Black Hawk helicopter was seen flying low and slow Nov. 5. There were pilots aboard the aircraft, but all maneuvers during this flight were being conducted autonomously. The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command’s Aviation and Missile Center successfully demonstrated low-level autonomous behaviors in a flight... Read more

AeroVironment invests in CybAero to gain US/NATO selling rights

AeroVironment invests in CybAero to gain US/NATO selling rights

4-Dec-2012Source: AeroVironment

AeroVironment, Inc. (NASDAQ: AVAV) today announced it has entered into a strategic relationship with Sweden-based CybAero AB (NASDAQOMXS: CBA) to develop and distribute a Tier II vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft system in response to unmet requirements from multiple customers. The relationship gives AeroVironment exclusive rights to provide CybAero AB systems to United... Read more

Seattle police UAV plan hits severe turbulence

Seattle police UAV plan hits severe turbulence

28-Nov-2012Source: Reuters

The two Draganflyer X6 remote-controlled miniature helicopters purchased by Seattle have so far been mostly grounded, restricted to training and demonstration flights.  Each is equipped to carry video, still and night-vision cameras. (see full story)... Read more

Dept Homeland Security issues UAV impact assessment report

Dept Homeland Security issues UAV impact assessment report

27-Nov-2012Source: Dept of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Science &Technology (S&T) Directorate and the State of Oklahoma are partnering on the Robotic Aircraft for Public Safety (RAPS) project to test and evaluate Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) for potential use by the first responder community and DHS operational components. SUAS include small aircraft (typically under 55 pounds... Read more

Kaman closes on new $500M five-year credit facility

Kaman closes on new $500M five-year credit facility

21-Nov-2012Source: Kaman

Kaman Corporation (NYSE:KAMN) announced that today it has closed on a new five-year $500 million credit facility replacing its prior $317.5 million credit facility. The facility includes a collateralized security agreement and carries a standard financial covenant package, which the company believes reflects current market terms and conditions. The facility consists of a $400 million revolving credit... Read more

Aermatica cleared to test UAV in non-segregated airspace

Aermatica cleared to test UAV in non-segregated airspace

12-Nov-2012Source: Aermatica

ENEL, the main Italian electric utility and one of the most important in the world, started a study concerning remote monitoring of its own power plants through small RPA. The possibility to satisfy those needs is only partially matter of mere technology; on the contrary starting of use of small RPA in professional industrial contexts... Read more

New single-seat electric coaxial helicopter concept in Japan

New single-seat electric coaxial helicopter concept in Japan

11-Nov-2012Source: HeliHub.com

Radio-controlled helicopter manufacturer Hirobo has developed a new full-size helicopter, the Hirobo Bit.  Shown at the recent Japan Aerospace show, the all-composite helicopter was shown, although no videos are known to exist of the aircraft in flight.  With an electric engine and coaxial rotor system, Hirobo expect this to be a very quiet helicopter, although... Read more

HAI and industry urge continued NAS-UAS integration

HAI and industry urge continued NAS-UAS integration

9-Nov-2012Source: HAI

HAI President Matt Zuccaro and 19 other aviation industry leaders have sent a letter to Acting FAA Administrator Michael Huerta on behalf of their associations, urging the FAA to continue to press forward with the integration of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) into the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). “… As a goal, the FAA should ensure that... Read more

Kaman Board of Directors Declares Dividend

Kaman Board of Directors Declares Dividend

8-Nov-2012Source: Kaman

The Kaman Corporation board of directors today declared a regular quarterly dividend of 16 cents per common share. The dividend will be paid on January 8, 2013 to shareholders of record on December 24, 2012. The payment, when made, will mark forty-three consecutive years of dividend payments by Kaman. Kaman Corporation, founded in 1945 by... Read more

First UAV demo for ADS-B fully autonomous collision avoidance

First UAV demo for ADS-B fully autonomous collision avoidance

5-Nov-2012Source: R³ Engineering

R³ Engineering LLC (R³E) announces the first ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast) based, fully autonomous collision avoidance sequence, executed by a sense and avoid system installed on an unmanned aircraft system (UAS).  On Friday August 10th, 2012, an AWSAS™ (R³E’s All Weather Sense and Avoid System) installed on a research UAS, with no external command or control... Read more

China’s largest unmanned helicopter goes into service

China’s largest unmanned helicopter goes into service

1-Nov-2012Source: HeliHub.com

China’s largest locally-built unmanned helicopter is now in service in Shandong province, authorities said on Thursday. The mid-sized helicopter has passed all required flight tests and is fully operational, reported Xinhua. The helicopter, with some marked design similarities to the Brantly B2 of the 1950s, has an available load of 80kg, maximum speed of 161kmh... Read more

Hurricane Sandy postpones Kaman Q3 results

Hurricane Sandy postpones Kaman Q3 results

30-Oct-2012Source: Kaman

Kaman Corp. (NYSE:KAMN) announced today that it will postpone the release of its third quarter 2012 results. The new release date will be after the stock market closes on Wednesday, October 31, 2012. Management will host a webcast and conference call to discuss the results at 8:30 am ET on Thursday, November 1, 2012. “The... Read more

European Helicopter Show 2013 dates announced

European Helicopter Show 2013 dates announced

12-Oct-2012Source: European Helicopter Show

The dates are now confirmed for European Helicopter Show 2013. The event will take place at Hradec Králové in Czech Republic during 9th – 11th of May 2013. This new helicopter event in Czech Republic, 9th -11th May 2013, is already attracting a positive reaction within the helicopter industry, with major manufacturers including Bell Europe... Read more

Scion UAS wins military contract for unmanned helicopters

Scion UAS wins military contract for unmanned helicopters

11-Oct-2012

Scion UAS must deliver one such helicopter to the Naval Research Laboratory within six months, another three months later, with an option for a third, according to Scion co-founder Jim Sampson. (see full story)... Read more

Smartphones to Steer Unmanned Rotorcraft on the Battlefield

Smartphones to Steer Unmanned Rotorcraft on the Battlefield

8-Oct-2012Source: Office of Naval Research

The Office of Naval Research (ONR) awarded contracts to Lockheed Martin and Aurora Flight Sciences on Sept. 28 to develop robotic rotorcraft capable of supporting rapid autonomous aerial cargo delivery to the battlefield. ONR is initially providing $28 million to the industry-led teams to develop prototype concepts in the Autonomous Aerial Cargo Utility System (AACUS)... Read more

Northrop Grumman awarded $24M delivery order for MQ-8B parts

Northrop Grumman awarded $24M delivery order for MQ-8B parts

7-Oct-2012Source: US DoD

Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, Calif., is being awarded a $24,476,978 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-10-G-0003) for spare parts and supplies in support of the MQ-8B vertical take-off and landing tactical unmanned air vehicle.  Work will be performed in San Diego, Calif. (36 percent), Horseheads, N.Y. (30 percent);... Read more

Draganflyer ‘ES’ unmanned helicopter assists Fire and Police services

Draganflyer ‘ES’ unmanned helicopter assists Fire and Police services

30-Sep-2012Source: Draganflyer

The Draganflyer ES (Emergency Services) unmanned aircraft line provides two models, a six rotor Draganflyer X6-ES helicopter and a new larger version with four rotors, the Draganflyer X4-ES helicopter. The X6-ES and X4-ES are models exclusively sold to Public Safety Agencies. Used to obtain video from an aerial vantage point, these unmanned aircraft feature a digital wireless video... Read more

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