UAVS

IN FOCUS: Completing the missing link in UAS crew training

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 17:15:00 GMT

Huge demand is forecast for unmanned air systems and more efficient, effective simulation is required to bridge the gap in training operators

Northrop Grumman fights RQ-4 Block 30 cancellation threat

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:25:00 GMT

Northrop Grumman has challenged the US military's decision to park existing RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30s in usable storage and terminate production.

Israeli Heron TP crashes as test flight goes wrong

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:22:00 GMT

The Israeli air force and IAI are investigating what caused a Heron TP unmanned air vehicle to crash during an experimental flight on 29 January ...

India’s Lakshya-2 completes 10th test flight

Fri, 27 Jan 2012 07:25:00 GMT

India's Lakshya-2 target drone has completed its 10th flight test, performing the full range of functions required by nation's armed forces ...

DoD cuts Block 30 Global Hawk, but spares other UAVs

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:57:00 GMT

The US Air Force is to cut its planned orders for Northrop Grumman's Block 30 version of the RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned air vehicle ...

IN FOCUS: Royal Navy chief looks to the future with carrier, F-35 programmes

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 15:28:00 GMT

Despite cuts introduced via the SDSR, the head of the Royal Navy believes his service remains well placed to respond to operational demands ...

UK considers landing gear modification for Reaper fleet

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:25:00 GMT

The UK Ministry of Defence could adopt a landing gear modification for its General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Reaper remotely piloted air systems, with the enhancement to boost the type's maximum take-off and landing weights for use in Afghanistan.

PICTURES: US Navy tests Integrator

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 20:48:00 GMT

Boeing/Insitu has delivered the first RQ-21 Integrator to the US Navy for testing and evaluation. The aircraft, flying at Twentynine Palms, MCB, in California,...

Swiss make first OPA purchase

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 18:55:00 GMT

Virginia-based Aurora Flight Sciences has announced the sale of a Centaur optionally-piloted vehicle (OPA) to the Swiss air force, marking both the aircraft's...

MQ-8B Fire Scout deploys again

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 20:20:00 GMT

The Northrop Grumman MQ-8B Fire Scout departed 17 January aboard the USS Simpson on its third operational deployment ...

PICTURES & VIDEO: Europe's Neuron UCAV breaks cover

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 13:45:00 GMT

Europe's Dassault-led Neuron unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) demonstrator will make its first flight around mid-year, having been officially unveiled for partner nations France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland on 19 January.

NATO to sign delayed AGS deal by May

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 09:00:00 GMT

Thirteen NATO nations are likely to sign a contract for the Global Hawk-based Alliance Ground Surveillance system before its Chicago summit ...

US Army’s logistics agency launches autonomous cargo aircraft study

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 15:00:00 GMT

The US Army has expanded its early search for a future unmanned cargo aircraft to include concepts offering twice the speed of conventional helicopters.

Polish Aerostar UAVs to get operational boost

Tue, 17 Jan 2012 10:00:00 GMT

Aeronautics Defense Systems expects to have an automatic take-off and landing capability operational for Poland's Aerostar unmanned air systems "within the next months", according to company president Avi Leumi.

Israeli defence ministry blocks unmanned Dominator sale to Abu Dhabi

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 15:00:00 GMT

Israel's defence ministry has blocked a contract to sell Aeronautics Defense Systems Dominator XP unmanned air systems to Abu Dhabi, after reviewing the contents of the deal.

Missed targets prompt US Marine Corps to arm unmanned Shadows

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:00:00 GMT

The US Marine Corps will deploy AAI RQ-7 Shadows to Afghanistan armed with classified new gravity bombs in a demonstration that could pave the way for a dramatic expansion in the numbers of weaponised unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).

Textron unveils modified Aerosonde

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 20:01:00 GMT

Textron has unveiled an updated version of the Aerosonde small unmanned air vehicle (UAV) featuring a heavy fuel engine and heavily modified wings. The changes...

UK funds new UCAS research effort

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:50:00 GMT

BAE Systems and the UK Defence Science & Technology Laboratory will work together on a technology study linked to unmanned combat air systems ...

RAF Reapers enter 2012 on operational high

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:40:00 GMT

UK operations with the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Reaper remotely piloted air system have taken on increased importance in Afghanistan, with the Royal Air Force routinely using the type for offensive tasks.

IAI tight-lipped over $1.1bn deal with Asian customer

Tue, 10 Jan 2012 12:37:00 GMT

Israel Aerospace Industries has signed a $1.1 billion deal to supply "defensive and offensive" systems to an undisclosed Asian customer ...

General Atomics strengthens Reaper landing gear

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:22:00 GMT

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has announced a redesign of the MQ-9 Reaper landing gear. The change, which adds a trailing arm the unmanned air vehicle's...

Aurora to build component for Boeing's Vulture

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 21:07:00 GMT

Aurora Flight Sciences announced an award to construct major components of the Boeing Solar Eagle, a 400ft (122m) wingspan solar-powered demonstration project...

Aeronautics boosts production rate for unmanned Dominator

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Aeronautics Defense Systems has increased its production rate for the Dominator XP unmanned air system (UAS), with eight examples currently in different stages of work.

Turkey approves F-35, Anka UAV purchases

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 10:02:00 GMT

Turkey has approved the purchase of an initial two Lockheed Martin F-35s and 10 Anka UAVs for its air force ...

US Navy solicits bids to test autonomous VTUAV

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:32:00 GMT

The US Navy is soliciting bids for the Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (AACUS), an unmanned vertical-takeoff and landing (VTOL) programme designed...

Elbit's Hermes 900 wins new export deal

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 11:00:00 GMT

Elbit Systems has been awarded a $50 million contract to supply its Hermes 900 unmanned air system (UAS) to an undisclosed customer "in the Americas".

2011 – The Year in Review: Anniversaries

Sun, 01 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT

Hunters' 60th anniversary The Hawker Hunter (Mk. 3) celebrated the 60th anniversary of its first flight on 20 July. This aircraft is now displayed at the Tangmere Military Aviation Museum, West Sussex. RIAT 40th Air Show The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) marked its 40th anniversary with exceptional flying displays, involving aircraft from various nations. A Da

2011: The Year in Review: Most Downloaded Images from AirSpace

Sat, 31 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT

This image of the first Qantas A380 being rolled out in Hamburg is the most downloaded image on AirSpace in 2011. Qantas Airbus A380 VH-OQA in full livery at Hamburg ...uploaded by user Rear Loader. Image courtesy Airbus/C. Brinkmann