US Army advances five rapid prototype developers for RQ-7B replacement
Following a competitive evaluation by the US Army, AeroVironment, Griffon Aerospace, Textron, Sierra Nevada and Northrop Grumman have all received funding to support rapid prototyping of a replacement for the service’s RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aerial vehicle.
US releases video footage of Russian Su-27 colliding with Reaper over Black Sea
The US military has released video footage of a Black Sea incident during which a Russian air force Sukhoi Su-27 repeatedly harassed a US Air Force (USAF) General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper, culminating in a collision which resulted in the remotely piloted air vehicle’s loss.
Boeing, Shield AI in pact to work together on future programmes
Boeing and artificial intelligence (AI) firm Shield AI have signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on autonomy and AI on future defence programmes.
Northrop gears up for Australian Triton deliveries
Northrop Grumman aims to deliver Australia’s first MQ-4C Triton unmanned air vehicle (UAV) to Australia in the middle of 2024, as the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) reforms No. 9 Sqn to operate the long-range maritime patrol asset.
US Air Force Special Operations Command to operate MQ-9B SkyGuardian
The US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has ordered three General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned air vehicles (UAVs), the first sale of the variant in the USA.
GA-ASI feels MQ-9B still essential for Australian army
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) remains hopeful of an MQ-9B SkyGuardian unmanned air vehicle (UAV) sale to Australia, following the cancellation of a major requirement in 2022.
BAE unveils low-cost precision munition for Australian rotorcraft
The Australian arm of BAE Systems says it will develop a domestically-produced kit to convert unguided munitions into cheap, precision weapons for unmanned air vehicles and helicopters.
BAE unveils Australian-designed armed VTOL UAV
BAE Systems has unveiled a conceptual unmanned air vehicle (UAV) designed for ground-attack missions.
Australia’s autonomous combat jet sees public debut
For the first time, Boeing has revealed a flight-capable testbed of the autonomous jet aircraft the company is developing with the Royal Australian Air Force.
Australia readies airspace management system for unmanned aircraft
National air traffic management agency Airservices Australia says it has shifted from prototyping to the delivery phase of an effort to deploy an airspace management tool for small, uncrewed aircraft such as commercial unmanned air vehicles.