Tag: UAS

GA-ASI and Saab Complete First Flight of MQ-9B With Early Warning Radar

Unmanned Systems Technology reports, “General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has conducted the first validation flight of its MQ-9B Remotely Piloted Aircraft using Airborne Early Warning radar pods. The AEW capability is being provided through a partnership with Saab. Once the AEW sensor, named LoyalEye, is made available to MQ-9B operators and new customers, it will deliver persistent and cost-effective air surveillance capabilities in regions where it is currently unavailable.”
Full Story (Unmanned Systems Technology)

DoD Seeks Expanded Investment in Counter-UAS Capabilities

Defense Daily reports, “The Defense Department’s office focused on speeding the development and delivery of systems and technologies to counter threats from small drones is requesting more than $580 million in research, development, test and evaluation funds in fiscal year 2027 and an unknown amount of procurement funding, according to Pentagon budget documents.”
Full Story (Defense Daily)

Call for Technical Experts for Standards

FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA is now the Committee Manager and US TAG for ISO TC20/SC 16 Uncrewed Aircraft System which leads international standardization in the field of advanced air mobility and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). The committee is looking for technical experts to support its work in developing International Standards to provide a framework and guidance for government, public and private stakeholders involved in the safe and effective design, procurement, deployment and operation of Counter UAS equipment intended to be deployed in all fixed, mobile and transportable civilian environments. Experts in the field of cybersecurity aspects specific to UAS are also encouraged to particiate.

Marine Corps Unveils First NDAA-Approved 3D-Printed UAS

Defense News reports, “The U.S. Marine Corps has pioneered a 3D-printed first-person view drone that is easy to assemble, ready for field use and conforms to national security standards. Sgt. Henry David Volpe, an automotive technician with the 2nd Marine Logistics Group, used his interest in engineering and robotics to help develop HANX, the Marine Corps’ first unmanned aircraft system built from 3D-printed parts to be approved by the National Defense Authorization Act, service officials announced last month.”
Full Story (Defense News)

Mississippi State University Testing Aurora’s Tactical eVTOL Drone to Aid First Responders

Unmanned Systems Technology reports, “Researchers at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory are flying Aurora Flight Sciences drone, SKIRON-X, as part of a project designed to assist first responders. The Raspet Flight Research Laboratory is leading a groundbreaking initiative to advance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for emergency response operations Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS). Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, provided its Group 2 UAS, SKIRON-X, as the project’s test platform.”
Full Story (Unmanned Systems Technology)

Belgian Air Force’s First MQ-9B Performs Debut Flight

Defense Daily reports, “The first of four General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian drones ordered by the Belgian Air Force arrived at Florennes Air Base last month and had its debut flight on Tuesday, according to General Atomics. Linden Blue, the CEO of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. said that the initial flight ‘ushers in a new era of information dominance for Belgium.’ The MQ-9B is a successor to the U.S. Air Force MQ-9A Reaper.”
Full Story (Defense Daily)

DoD Validates Kraus Hamdani Aerospace’s K1000ULE UAS for Defense and Commercial Use

Unmanned Systems Technology reports, “Kraus Hamdani Aerospace’s fully electric, long-endurance K1000ULE UAS has been added to the U.S. Department of Defense’s (DoD) Defense Innovation Unit Blue UAS Cleared and Select Lists, confirming it as a trusted, secure, NDAA-compliant drone ready for immediate procurement.”
Full Story (Unmanned Systems Technology)



Videos

K1000ULE VTOL Landing
(Stefan Kraus; YouTube)

Parallel Flight Technologies to Develop Maritime-Capable Firefly Heavy-Lift UAS for Office of Naval Research

Unmanned Systems Technology reports, “Parallel Flight Technologies has received a $3.74 million ONR Sequential Phase II SBIR contract to adapt its Firefly hybrid-powered heavy-lift UAS for maritime operations, enhancing naval logistics, surveillance, and research missions.”
Full Story (Unmanned Systems Technology)

Video

Firefly hybrid-powered heavy-lift UAS.
Parallel Flight Technologies; YouTube