Unmanned Systems Technology reports, “General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has conducted its first flight test series of the Gray Eagle® Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) using a Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (PLEO) satellite constellation for aircraft communications. Contracted by the U.S. Army, the flight tests began in January 2025 and mark a significant milestone, reportedly making GE-ER the first long-endurance U.S. Army aircraft to be controlled over the new satellite service. Gray Eagle is also the only U.S. Army UAS capable of leveraging Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO), Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and PLEO constellations for secure, inflight adaptable and resilient communication, navigation and data management.”
Full Story (Unmanned Systems Technology)
Tag: Performs
Vertical Performs Piloted Thrustborne eVTOL Flight Test
Aerotime reports, “UK-based electric vehicle takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Vertical Aerospace has become only the second company in the world to perform a piloted thrustborne flight test in a full-scale vectored thrust aircraft. The full-scale eVTOL aircraft, known as VX4, took off on January 7, 2024, with pilot Simon Davies at the controls, at the Vertical Aerospace test center at Cotswold Airport (GBA).”
Full Story (Aerotime)
Kratos Completes First Flight of Thanatos UCAV
Aviation Week reports, “Kratos Defense and Security recently completed the first flight of its Thanatos stealthy uncrewed combat air vehicle, proving out the aircraft’s basic design as the company now focuses on flying a fully integrated system. Steve Fendley, president of Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Division, tells Aviation Week the company hopes to learn more about the system as it evolves over the next 6-12 months. The company would not say when the first flight occurred, just that it was within the past several months.”
Full Story (Aviation Week)
CityAirbus NextGen Prototype Performs First Liftoff
Vertical Magazine reports, “The CityAirbus NextGen prototype eVTOL aircraft has performed its first liftoff, marking the official start of the type’s flight test campaign. The news was announced by Bruno Even, the CEO of Airbus Helicopters, on X (formerly known as Twitter) on Nov. 6.”
Full Story (Vertical Magazine)
Upgraded Bell CH-146C Mk II Griffon Performs First Flight for RCAF
Vertical Magazine reports that the first Royal Canadian Air Force Bell CH-146 Griffon to have completed the CH-146C Mk II upgrade “has performed its maiden flight, the manufacturer has announced. The modification to the RCAF’s CH-146 Griffons — a variant of the Bell 412EP — is being completed under the Griffon Limited Life Extension (GLLE) project, which is designed to extend the fleet’s service life to at least 2031.”
Full Story (Vertical Magazine)
GE Performs New Dust Test on CFM LEAP Engines
Aviation Week reported that a series of tests at GE Aerospace’s Evendale, Ohio, site are being validated in order to make improvements on CFM International’s LEAP 1 engine to impart CFM56-like durability to the aircraft propulsion system.
Full Story (Aviation Week)