The Indian Army is to start user trials of a new unmanned airborne vehicle (UAV) in 1997, following the completion of a series of tests by the Indian Aeronautical Development Establishment. The Nishant, which has a composite airframe, is claimed to have an endurance of around 5h, a range of 150km (80nm) and can carry a 45kg payload. The low-speed pusher-propeller vehicle is rail-launched and can be recovered by a combination of parachute and airbag or net recovery.
Source: Flight International
The UK has confirmed the early retirement of 17 Puma HC2 helicopters, 14 of its older Boeing CH-47 Chinooks and the Watchkeeper uncrewed air vehicle (UAV) in a bid to slash costs. Disclosing the move in a statement to the House of Commons on 20 November, defence secretary John Healey ...
A Baykar TB3 unmanned air vehicle has successfully taken off from and landed on Turkey’s sole aircraft carrier.
The Jetank heavy uncrewed aerial vehicle, produced by Chinese state aerospace corporation AVIC, can carry a full load of conventional armaments or be used to deploy so-called swarms of smaller drones.
