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X-47B's 'gear up' shot

By
Dominic Perry
 on October 12, 2011 10:39 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

In a first for the Naval demonstrator programme, the X-47B UCAV flew with its gear up in cruise configuration on 30 September in a flight from Edwards AFB. Next step for Northrop Grumman is to transfer the aircraft to Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland prior to shore-based carrier suitability tests in 2012. At some future point it will then attempt to land on an aircraft carrier.

X-47B.jpg

Credit: Northrop Grumman

Image of the week: Scan Eagle launch sequence

By
Will Horton
 on January 24, 2011 1:00 PM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
This week's Image of the Week (featured on page 3 of Flight International), is taken by AirSpace user UASman (Benjamin M. Trapnell, Associate Professor, Director UAS Technology Integration and Education at the JDO School of Aerospace Sciences).

His photo is a composite of a Insitu Scan Eagle's launch sequence. The launch was in support of flood relief efforts in Oslo, Minnesota.  The UAV was flown by the University of North Dakota.

Ben writes: "Each spring, when the Red River thaws, the town of Oslo gets surrounded by high water, effectively preventing people from the town from leaving unless they use a boat.  Ice jams along the river make the effect more sever depending upon where the jam is and how severe it is.  The Scan Eagle was used to provide visual information to entities charged with flood monitoring/fighting efforts and to keep local law enforcement apprised of the situation.  The effort was funded through a research project sponsored by the Air Force through the Joint UAS Center of Excellence. (In support of Defense Support of Civil Authority). The gentleman launching the aircraft is Mark Hastings, the UAS Flight Lead at the University of North Dakota."

There's more info here.

Scan Eagle

Start a gallery on AirSpace for your chance at having your photograph featured as our Image of the Week.

BAE's Demon UAV flies

By
Will Horton
 on September 29, 2010 9:00 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
Manoeuvring without the aid of control surfaces has been demonstrated by an unmanned air vehicle designed by a British team of industry and academic specialists.

The Demon UAV (pictured below), an adapted BAE Systems Eclipse, first flew on 17 September with its flight control surfaces deactivated during a portion of the flight to test a new aerodynamic circulation control system.

DEMON[1].JPG
(Photo: BAE)

Norhtrop Grumman's UAV Concepts

By
Will Horton
 on August 28, 2010 8:35 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
Northrop Grumman UAV Concepts Aug 2010.jpgAt last week's AUVSI show, Northtrop Grumman unveiled two UAV concepts (above). The designs show that the manufacturer is planning an aggressive new push to expand deeper into the market for unmanned air vehicles. Read more...

(Graphic: Flightglobal; Source: Northrop Grumman)

Phantom Eye in Assembly

By
Will Horton
 on August 27, 2010 8:31 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
Phantom Eye in assembly.jpg
Pictured above is the Phantom Eye in assembly. The Phantom Eye demonstrator, smaller by 40% compared with the planned full-scale version, should fly 96h, or four days. At full scale, the Phantom Eye is designed to remain airborne for seven to 10 days. Read more...

(Photo: Boeing)

Zala 421-20 UAV Performs First Flight

By
Will Horton
 on August 26, 2010 8:26 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
Zala Aero UAV First flight.jpg
(Photo: Zala Aero)

Fuel tanks have been installed in the Zala 421-20 UAV's 6m-span wing.

Russia's Zala Aero first flew on 5 August its 421-20, a new medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned air vehicle.

Representing an upgrade to the manufacturer's earlier 421-09 design and developed over the last two years, the surveillance and reconnaissance asset has an improved endurance of 6-8h. This increase has been achieved by installing fuel tanks in the aircraft's 6m (19.7ft)-span wing, Zala says. Continue reading...

Boeing's Phantom Eye

By
Will Horton
 on August 25, 2010 8:20 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
Phantom Eye Aug 2010 FINT.jpg (Photo: Boeing)

Boeing's Phantom Works offered a first glimpse of Phantom Eye, the hydrogen-powered unmanned demonstrator built to stay aloft at 65,000ft (19,800m) for up to four days at a time, on 12 July in St. Louis, Missouri.

In September, Phantom Eye will move to NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center at Edwards AFB, California, to begin a series of ground and taxi tests in preparation for its maiden flight in the first quarter of 2011. The debut flight is expected to last 4-8h. Continue reading...

Six UK Elbit Systems Hermes 450s

By
Will Horton
 on August 24, 2010 9:13 AM | | Comments (4) | TrackBacks (0)
Line of Heron UAVs.jpg
(Photo: Elbit Systems)

Six Elbit Systems Hermes 450s UAVs operated by the British Army under an urgent operational requirement deal with Thales UK are seen above. Meanwhile on the other side of the world Australia has recently signed a contract extending its use of Herons until at least December 2011.

Here is the Heron's manufacturing and performance specifics:
Wingspan 16.6/26m
Length 8.5/14m
Mass 1,150/4,650kg
Endurance 52/36h
Cruise speed 80kt/undisclosed
Altitude 30,000/45,000ft
Payload 250/1,000kg

Boeing/Insitu Integrator Soars

By
Will Horton
 on August 23, 2010 9:09 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
Integrator UAV.jpg
On the UAV Integrator (above), its twin-booms are designed to carry miniature munitions.

Here are its manufacturing details:

Wingspan 4.8m
Length 2.1m
Mass 59kg
Endurance 24h
Cruise speed 60kt
Altitude 20,000ft
Payload 23kg

You can read more the Integrator and STUAS/Tier II contract here.

Bat/KillerBee UAV Launch

By
Will Horton
 on August 23, 2010 8:29 AM | | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)
Bat KillerBee.jpg
(Photo: Northrop Grumman)

The Bat/Killer Bee UAV, seen above having just launched, was acquired by Northrop Grumman from Swift Engineering, and licensed Raytheon to propose the KB-4 independently for STUAS.

Here are its manufacturing details:
Wingspan 3.1m
Length 1.92m
Mass 74.4kg
Endurance 15h
Cruise speed 55kt
Altitude 10,000ft
Payload 22.3kg

You can read more the Bat/KillerBee and STUAS/Tier II contract here.

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