AHS International, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) are co-sponsoring an exciting workshop on Transformative Vertical Flight Concepts at NASA Ames, in Mountain View, California on August 3rd and 4th. This two day workshop will give participants a chance to shape the transformative vertical flight… Read more »
Source: AHS, 14-Jul-15
As the July 4 holiday approaches, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is reminding residents and visitors to Washington, D.C. that the city and surrounding communities are a “No Drone Zone.” The prohibition against flying any type of unmanned aircraft, or “drone,” without specific approval includes the District of Columbia and cities and towns within a… Read more »
Source: FAA, 30-Jun-15
Consumers Energy launched an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) near a Jackson County electric substation Monday to help determine whether the emerging technology can improve how the company serves Michigan residents. “We are always looking for ways to innovate and provide Michigan with safe, affordable, reliable, and environmentally sustainable energy,” said Mary Palkovich, Consumers Energy’s vice… Read more »
Source: Consumers Energy, 24-Jun-15
Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) today introduced the Consumer Drone Safety Act, which would protect the public and U.S. airspace by requiring safety features for consumer drones and strengthening the federal laws that govern their operation. Senator Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) cosponsored the bill. Under current law, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) does not have the… Read more »
Source: Feinstein, 23-Jun-15
Future Royal Australian Navy vessels will almost certainly be equipped with both manned and remote unmanned choppers that will reduce risk and cost. See Full Story
Source: News, 19-Jun-15
Schiebel and Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) subsidiary ELTA Systems Ltd., are preparing to demonstrate the ELK-7065 3D High Frequency (HF) Band COMINT interception and geo-location system installed on the Schiebel CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS (Unmanned Air System) during Q3 2015. The ELK-7065 3D HF COMINT provides quick labelling and identification of HF signals, creating a reliable… Read more »
Source: Schiebel, 18-Jun-15
Elbit Systems introduces BrightNite a solution that enables utility helicopters to successfully perform Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) missions in more than 90% of night flying situations, providing them with piloting capabilities of attack helicopters and enabling a new level of operational flight. Lightweight, compact and cost-effective, BrightNite is a multi-spectral end to end panoramic piloting… Read more »
Source: Elbit, 12-Jun-15
Kaman have announced (their press release below) that the K-Max is to go back into production. This announcement has been expected for some time, perhaps a handful of years even, and has been waiting for a minimum number of orders to ensure the costs of ramping up the line again are justified. Between 1991 and… Read more »
Source: Kaman, 08-Jun-15
Georgia has presented a new unmanned attack and reconnaissance helicopter produced by the state research and development center Delta. See Full Story
Source: dfwatch, 26-May-15
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and the ASSURE Coalition have been selected by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) as the nation’s new Center of Excellence in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). As a co-founder of ASSURE (Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence), Embry-Riddle will be the technical lead in UAS airport ground operations, UAS pilot… Read more »
Source: Embry-Riddle, 13-May-15
It has become clear that small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) are proven vital public safety tools, but back in 2008 that vision wasn’t as clear. The Mesa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) was one of the first U.S. public safety agencies to formally start an sUAS program, work with the FAA to secure an operational COA,… Read more »
Source: Draganfly, 13-May-15
After a rigorous competition, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has selected a Mississippi State University team as the FAA’s Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (COE UAS). The COE will focus on research, education and training in areas critical to safe and successful integration of UAS into the nation’s airspace…. Read more »
Source: FAA, 11-May-15
Trimble (NASDAQ: TRMB) announced today that it is partnering with leading unmanned aircraft system (UAS) manufacturer MULTIROTOR service-drone, GmbH. The collaboration will allow Trimble to expand its existing UAS portfolio to provide its customers with additional solutions to choose from based on their aerial imaging project needs. The announcement was made at AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems… Read more »
Source: Trimble, 11-May-15
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) is part of a team selected to conduct research as part of the new FAA Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Center of Excellence. The FAA announced today that the Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research Excellence (ASSURE), of which UAH is a core member, will operate the… Read more »
Source: UAH, 11-May-15
Unmanned flight prepares to move deeper into the agriculture sector, now that federal regulators have approved Yamaha’s crop dusting drone. See Full Story
Source: Tech Times, 11-May-15
FAA Administrator Michael Huerta will announce two new initiatives related to unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) tomorrow at the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Unmanned Systems 2015conference in Atlanta, GA. The FAA is moving ahead with safe integration of UAS into the busiest, most complex airspace in the world. Even as the agency proceeds with rulemaking for small… Read more »
Source: FAA, 05-May-15
On April 23, ARSA submitted comments to the FAA’s proposed rule regarding its control of small unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The association added its voice to the thousands who provided guidance to the agency in its pursuit of new regulations to oversee the use of the vehicles commonly referred to as “drones.” While its comments recognized the congressional imperative that the FAA… Read more »
Source: ARSA, 30-Apr-15
HAI has been monitoring the growth and expanded utilization of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). It is apparent that UAS use within low-level airspace that helicopters currently operate in will continue to grow, as will UAS use for missions normally performed by helicopters. With these thoughts in mind, and because of HAI’s desire to ensure the safe and efficient… Read more »
Source: HAI, 02-Apr-15
First North-listed CybAero, which develops and manufactures remotely piloted helicopters with associated sensor systems, received its first call-off order for five systems from Chinese AVIC today. In July 2014, CybAero announced that it received an order with a guaranteed minimum value of SEK 700–800 million under an 8-year framework agreement with a company within the… Read more »
Source: CybAero, 01-Apr-15
First North-listed CybAero, which develops and manufactures remotely piloted helicopters with associated sensor systems, commenced factory testing with the client just over a week ago.The parties have agreed to extend the testing period to early May because the system integration has taken more time than planned, and this affects the testing process. “We commenced factory… Read more »
Source: CybAero, 01-Apr-15
Manned-unmanned operations using helicopters linked with unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS, have been used by the Army for a number of years. However, no single unit has ever actually been assigned to both assets until now, said Lt. Col. Tory Burgess, product manager for Shadow Tactical UAS. Burgess and others spoke during a media roundtable… Read more »
Source: US Army, 25-Mar-15
The Federal Aviation Administration has established an interim policy to speed up airspace authorizations for certain commercial unmanned aircraft (UAS) operators who obtain Section 333 exemptions. The new policy helps bridge the gap between the past process, which evaluated every UAS operation individually, and future operations after we publish a final version of the proposed… Read more »
Source: FAA, 24-Mar-15
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Hurst, Texas, is being awarded an $8,431,030 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-14-C-0022) to exercise an option for delivery of one Bell 407 Analog Helicopter, and preservation and storage of seven aircraft in support of the endurance upgrade of the MQ-8C Fire Scout. Work will be performed in Ozark,… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 12-Mar-15
By Andrew Drwiega, Heli-Expo, Florida, USA Kaman Aerospace is nearing the threshold that would allow the company to reopen its K-Max K-1200 production line, says Terry Fogarty, general manager of Kaman’s UAS Group. “With deposits now over 75% of what we require we are now anticipating that this will go ahead.” Speaking at Heli-Expo to… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 09-Mar-15
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., San Diego, California, is being awarded a $25,848,612 cost-plus-fixed-fee, firm-fixed-price contract for engineering sustainment and integrated logistics services in support of MQ-8 operational, vendor, maintenance-related and laboratory support software. Services to be provided include analysis of engineering change proposals, development of plans of action and milestones, laboratory facility studies and analysis,… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 24-Feb-15
From the full official documentation of US Patent 8944764 The invention claimed is:1. A main rotor arrangement for an UAV-helicopter, the main rotor arrangement comprising: a rotor mast defining a vertical axis of rotation, a hub for attachment of rotor blades, wherein the hub is mounted to the rotor mast in a tiltable way so… Read more »
Source: US PTO, 16-Feb-15
The Northern Plains (UAS) Unmanned Aircraft Systems Test Site in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announces the approval to expand operations throughout the state of North Dakota. This authorization, granted under the FAA’s Certification of Authorization (COA) process, allows the industry more efficient access to airspace for collaborative research. The FAA was able… Read more »
Source: ND Government, 12-Feb-15
MAV Student Teams! This is a reminder to submit your Team Information Form for the 3rd Annual AHS MAV Student Challenge by Friday, January 23. Finalists will be selected in the next three months to participate in the final fly off at the 71st Annual Forum in Virginia Beach, Virginia. A total of $10,000 in prizes will be awarded to the winning teams…. Read more »
Source: AHS, 22-Jan-15
CNN will explore the use of drones for reporting, after receiving special permission from the U.S. government. See Full Story
Source: CNN, 15-Jan-15
The local Sheriff’s Department received approval from the Grand Forks County Commission to accept a donation of two unmanned aerial vehicles. See Full Story
Source: Grandforks Herald, 08-Jan-15
The U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully flew the MQ-8C Fire Scout system for the first time off the guided-missile destroyer, USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), Dec. 16, off the Virginia coast. After more than a year of land-based testing at Point Mugu, California, the MQ-8C Fire Scout grew its sea legs,… Read more »
Source: Northrop Grumman, 05-Jan-15
AAI Logistics & Technical Services, AAI Test & Training and AAI Unmanned Systems have been part of the Textron Systems enterprise for years now. We’ve now rebranded to be one Textron Systems. You’ve known us for years – our expertise, products and services remain as trusted and capable as ever. Now, get to know us… Read more »
Source: Textron, 16-Dec-14
The Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today granted five regulatory exemptions for unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) operations to four companies representing several industries that promise to benefit from UAS technology. The four companies that received exemptions want to fly UAS to perform operations for aerial surveying, construction site monitoring and oil rig flare… Read more »
Source: FAA, 11-Dec-14
First North-listed CybAero has been selected by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to conduct test and demonstration flights from Sweden’s world-leading Visby class corvette in Q3, 2015. Sweden-based CybAero was chosen ahead of other international competitors. It is estimated that the flights, which will employ CybAero’s APID helicopter systems, are to be conducted by… Read more »
Source: CybAero, 03-Dec-14
It’s not big money yet, but drone technology has investors looking to the sky for pennies from heaven. See Full Story
Source: Techcrunch, 28-Nov-14
The world of photography has never be the same since drones got into the hands of civilians. See Full Story
Source: Sandiego6, 28-Nov-14
News about forthcoming rules from the Federal Aviation Administration for the operation of drones was met with mixed reaction by those experimenting with unmanned aerial vehicles. At least one person expressed concern that the rules may inhibit adoption by farmers, while others saw any potential movement by the FAA as a good sign that the… Read more »
Source: Suas News, 28-Nov-14
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, 2015 to shareholders of record on December 16, 2014. About Kaman Corporation Kaman Corporation, founded in 1945 by aviation pioneer Charles H. Kaman, and headquartered in Bloomfield, Connecticut conducts… Read more »
Source: Kaman, 19-Nov-14
Extracts from the full financial statements as follows Overview Neal J. Keating, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “While we faced several challenges during the third quarter we are pleased that Aerospace continued to deliver improved margin performance and Distribution achieved its fourth consecutive quarter of organic sales growth. In addition, we generated very… Read more »
Source: Kaman, 04-Nov-14
Enthusiasts of small unmanned aerial systems (sUAS) will have a chance to demonstrate their aircraft and skills during a Small UAS Challenge in Houston Nov. 1 and 2. Sponsored by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University – Worldwide, the competition is free and open to private, academic and commercial participants. This indoor challenge will feature an obstacle course (emphasizing… Read more »
Source: Embry-Riddle, 08-Oct-14
U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx today announced that the Federal Aviation Administration has granted regulatory exemptions to six aerial photo and video production companies, the first step to allowing the film and television industry the use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) in the National Airspace System. Secretary Foxx made the announcement on a conference call… Read more »
Source: FAA, 26-Sep-14
Helitech have published a Q&A with speaker Jos Stevens, Senior Scientist, National Aerospace Laboratory ahead of the Business and Strategy Conference at Amsterdam on Tuesday 14th October 1. The agenda tells us that your presentation will address whether UAVs are a threat to the rotorcraft sector or an opportunity. As you only have a short… Read more »
Source: Helitech, 24-Sep-14
On May 9th, 2013 at 00:20 hours the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigated a single roll-over accident in a rural area of Saskatchewan, Canada. Ground units and a manned helicopter searched for the seriously injured driver for two hours until the RCMP called in the Draganflyer X4-ES sUAS system equipped with a FLIR thermal… Read more »
Source: Draganfly, 13-Aug-14
The crew of Carilion Clinic Life-Guard says there is concern in the air medical service community regarding the use of unmanned aircraft, commonly called drones, over accident scenes. “See Full Story“
Source: WSET, 08-Aug-14
Kaman Corp. (NYSE:KAMN) announced today that it will report its second quarter 2014 results after the stock market closes on Monday, August 4, 2014, and host a live webcast and conference call at 8:30am ET on Tuesday, August 5, 2014. The call will be accessible by telephone within the U.S. at (877) 703-6103 and from… Read more »
Source: Kaman, 17-Jul-14
AgustaWestland is pleased to announce the completion of a demonstration of its Rotorcraft Unmanned Aerial System / Optionally Piloted Helicopter (RUAS/OPH) to the Italian Ministry of Defence. The trials were conducted to evaluate modern remote controlled rotorcraft technology and its potential to provide enhanced capabilities for the Italian armed forces in the future. Under the… Read more »
Source: AgustaWestland, 15-Jul-14
Recently, seven aerial photo and video production companies asked the FAA for regulatory exemptions that would allow the film and television industry to use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with FAA approval for the first time. Because these requests may set a precedent for future commercial UAS exemptions, the agency is asking the public to weigh… Read more »
Source: FAA, 11-Jul-14
Two men were arrested after a small drone flying near the George Washington Bridge came within 800 feet of a police helicopter, officials said on Tuesday. See full story File photo
Source: NY Times, 10-Jul-14
First North-listed CybAero, which develops and sells unmanned helicopters, has received an order guarantee worth SEK 700-800 million through an eight-year framework agreement. The order has been placed by a company in the Chinese AVIC group, one of the world’s largest companies which develops and manufactures aircraft and various types of flying vehicles and has… Read more »
Source: CybAero, 03-Jul-14
The FAA will miss Congress’ September 2015 deadline to allow drones to fly throughout US skies because of technical and regulatory obstacles that are unlikely to be resolved anytime soon, according to a government audit released Monday. See full story
Source: Washington Post, 02-Jul-14
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Integrated Systems Sector, San Diego, California, is being awarded an $8,465,734 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-fixed-fee contract (N00019-12-C-0126) for the extension of engineering and software sustainment services in support of the Vertical Take-off and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Fire Scout MQ-8B. Work will be performed in San Diego, California,… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 30-Jun-14
Beginning this summer, the Georgia Institute of Technology and CNN will embark on a joint research initiative to better understand the opportunities unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) present for media organizations, and to explore the access and safety issues that need to be addressed as part of any new regulatory framework. The project team will be… Read more »
Source: Georgia Tech, 26-Jun-14
Rockwell Collins and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) have scheduled risk reduction tests that will eventually enable unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to safely operate in the national airspace. “Routine integration of sizeable numbers of UAS into the national airspace system is a challenging task,” said Troy Brunk, vice president and general manager of… Read more »
Source: Rockwell Collins, 26-Jun-14
Curtiss-Wright Defense Solutions won a contract to supply its COTS-based rugged Ethernet Router technology for use on an unmanned helicopter. Under the agreement, Curtiss-Wright will deploy its Parvus DuraMAR 5915 router product, which will enable IP data routing onboard the rotorcraft. The estimated lifetime value of the contract is about $9 million. Shipments began in… Read more »
Source: Curtiss-Wright, 25-Jun-14
National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis today signed a policy memorandum that directs superintendents nationwide to prohibit launching, landing, or operating unmanned aircraft on lands and waters administered by the National Park Service. “We embrace many activities in national parks because they enhance visitor experiences with the iconic natural, historic and cultural landscapes in… Read more »
Source: National Park Service, 23-Jun-14
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration today announced that the Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) test site is ready to conduct research vital to integrating UAS into the nation’s airspace. The site is the fourth of six to become operational. The FAA granted the Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi team a… Read more »
Source: FAA, 23-Jun-14
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and the U.S. Navy successfully flew the unmanned MQ-8B Fire Scout simultaneously with the MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter for the first time. The capability demonstrates how a mix of aircraft can increase a ship commander’s intelligence-gathering capabilities aboard the Littoral Combat Ship. A video is available on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOZDG7Uk_PY…. Read more »
Source: Northrop Grumman, 12-Jun-14
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration today announced that the State of Nevada’s unmanned aircraft systems test site is ready to conduct research vital to integrating UAS into the nation’s airspace. Nevada is the third of six congressionally mandated test sites to become operational. “Nevada has been on the leading edge of aerospace… Read more »
Source: FAA, 10-Jun-14
Ventura County Sheriff’s Department are testing a Qube drone from Aerovironment See full story
Source: NBC4, 08-Jun-14
On Friday, the department announced that it had acquired two “unmanned aerial vehicles” as gifts from the Seattle Police Department. See full story
Source: LA Times, 08-Jun-14
Carnegie Mellon University has provided more information to the similar story Sikorsky released on 15th May – see Sikorsky and Carnegie Mellon partner to demo US Army autonomous UGV delivery Robot Team Will Autonomously Survey Sites for Radiation, Biological or Chemical Contamination Carnegie Mellon University’s National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. are working… Read more »
Source: Carnegie Mellon, 06-Jun-14
Schiebel´s dedication to the maritime domain and its ability to respond to the evolving unmanned systems requirements lead to a series of trials for the Brazilian Navy from 2nd to 5th June near San Pedro, Brazil, from the Brazilian Amazonas Class Ship APA. Schiebel’s unmanned helicopter CAMCOPTER® S-100 convinced representatives of the Brazilian Navy and… Read more »
Source: Schiebel, 06-Jun-14
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration today announced that seven aerial photo and video production companies have asked for regulatory exemptions that would allow the film and television industry to use unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) with FAA approval for the first time. If the exemption requests are granted, there could be tangible economic… Read more »
Source: FAA, 03-Jun-14
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today released a draft solicitation for a new FAA Center of Excellence for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (COE) that is expected to become an integral part of the agency’s UAS research program on this emerging technology. The solicitation will be open for comment through June 29. The FAA expects the final… Read more »
Source: FAA, 03-Jun-14
KaarbonTech has become the first company to receive a special permission from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to fly a fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicle within London airspace. The first flight, commissioned by The GeoInformation Group, took place over Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, the home of the London 2012 Games. Flight plans, prepared by qualified… Read more »
Source: KaarbonTech, 30-May-14
Police Commissioner Bill Bratton said the unmanned machines equipped with cameras and tiny microphones could help spy on crime hotspots See full story
Source: NY Daily News, 29-May-14
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced it has won a significant demonstration project with the National Robotics Engineering Center (NREC) of Carnegie Mellon University to demonstrate an autonomous delivery of an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) by an Optionally Piloted Black Hawk helicopter enabled with Matrix™ Technology. The UGV will subsequently execute a mission to investigate a… Read more »
Source: Sikorsky, 15-May-14
Sikorsky Aircraft announced today from the AUVSI Unmanned Systems conference that it will develop its first product to feature Matrix™ Technology, by converting a retired UH-60A BLACK HAWK helicopter into an optionally piloted variant capable of a wide spectrum of missions. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). With the autonomous… Read more »
Source: Sikorsky, 14-May-14
Today Reference Technologies announced the release of three models of its Hummingbird® line of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). “After two and a half years of development and testing, the Hummingbird aircraft will begin customer deliveries in Q3 of this year,” said Allen Bishop, founder and president. The Hummingbird incorporates a… Read more »
Source: Reference Technologies, 12-May-14
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) and Yamaha Motor Corporation, U.S.A., have agreed to work together to develop and market an innovative small, unmanned autonomous helicopter system. Called the Rotary Bat (R-Bat), the new system merges a proven airframe produced by Yamaha, with the latest autonomous control and intelligence-gathering technologies for use in urban environments for… Read more »
Source: Northrop Grumman, 09-May-14
In preparation for ship-board flights this spring, the Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC)-built MQ-8C Fire Scout will be tested for its ability to operate safely in the intense electromagnetic environment aboard U.S. Navy ships. The MQ-8C Fire Scout uses specially-designed cages, known as Faraday cages, to protect sensitive equipment on the aircraft from signal interference…. Read more »
Source: Northrop Grumman, 07-May-14
Three systems acquired by Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] have progressed from their research and development phase to operational readiness. The Indago vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) quad-rotor, accompanied by its handheld ground control station (GCS) will offer a robust, mobile surveillance application. Additionally, a new Commercial Avionics Suite delivers the same performance and reliability that… Read more »
Source: Lockheed Martin, 05-May-14
Moves by the FAA to limit or punish the use of drones by journalists could fun afoul of the First Amendment, which precludes the government from infringing on the freedom of the press. See full story File photo
Source: Mashable, 01-May-14
The CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) successfully demonstrated its capability across several different maritime scenarios to Dutch Authorities in Den Helder, The Netherlands, on 29 April 2014. Consolidating its unmatched maritime position, the S-100 demonstrated its ability to support maritime commanders and decision makers in the North Sea, west of Den Helder. The North… Read more »
Source: Schiebel, 30-Apr-14
The K-MAX unmanned aircraft system has made a name for itself in Afghanistan, with more than 1,800 unmanned resupply missions flown and delivering over 4 million pounds of supplies to troops throughout the region since being deployed in 2011. This week, the K-MAX cargo-hauling copter will achieve a different type of milestone. K-MAX will make… Read more »
Source: Kaman, 30-Apr-14
