Military UAVs – Page 27
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NewsCould long-endurance UAVs be repurposed for surveillance of Russia and China?
UAVs currently fielded by the USA and Western allies are vulnerable to ground fire but may be the key to creating an early warning system in geopolitical hotspots like the Baltics or Taiwan; in fact, some analysts argue, operating non-stealthy aircraft “in plain sight” could have a powerful deterrent effect
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NewsRecord number of UAV shoot downs prompt new USAF tactics and countermeasure pod
Unmanned aircraft are proliferating in the Middle East – and so are anti-aircraft missile systems deployed to destroy them; increased vulnerability is prompting development of more sophisticated onboard defences and new tactics.
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NewsDstl nears decision on LANCA flight demonstration for UK
A UK technology programme to demonstrate a so-called “additive capability” for use as part of a future combat air system is advancing on schedule, with an initial one-year phase having concluded in May.
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NewsGeneral Atomics launches Altius-600 drone from MQ-1C Gray Eagle
The test launch of the Altius-600 from the MQ-1C was part of a month-long demonstration to show new uses for the US Army’s largest UAV, for instance, as an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tool to be used against sophisticated adversaries, such as China or Russia.
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NewsUS Navy looks for new small ship-borne UAV for possible $1bn programme
The US Navy is planning a flight demonstration and possible prototyping competition to help find a new ship-borne unmanned air vehicle.
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NewsMQ-9A Reaper demonstrates new automatic take-off and landing capabilities
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has demonstrated three new automatic takeoff and landing capabilities for its MQ-9A Reaper unmanned air vehicle.
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NewsKratos Defense plans to fund more acquisitions with $209m stock sale
The company has acquired several businesses in recent years including satellite antenna manufacturer ASC Signal, as well as small jet turbine manufacturers Technical Directions and Florida Turbine Technologies.
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NewsAustralia commits to third MQ-4C Triton
Canberra has committed to obtaining its third Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton unmanned air system. “Once in service, this capability will significantly enhance our ability to persistently patrol Australia’s maritime approaches from the North, in the South West Pacific and down to Antarctica,” says defence minister Linda Reynolds. “The fleet is ...
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NewsUK’s unmanned Protector gains Brimstones, Paveway IV for ground test
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems is advancing weapons integration work in support of the UK’s Protector RG1 remotely piloted air system programme, with ground vibration testing now being performed.
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NewsUS Air Force begins search to replace General Atomics MQ-9 Reaper in 2030
The MQ-9 was given initial operating capability in 2007 and has been used extensively against insurgents and terrorists in the Middle East. However, it is vulnerable to surface-to-air missiles fielded by advanced adversaries such as China and Russia.
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NewsAVIC’s AR500C unmanned helicopter completes maiden sortie
AVIC’s unmanned helicopter prototype has completed its first test flight in Jiangxi province in eastern China. The AR500C took off on its 20min test flight on 20 May, and performed a series of low-level manoeuvres, such as front-to-back, left-to-right, as well as hovering rotations. Source: AVIC ...
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NewsMini torpedo could be air-launched from US Navy aircraft: Northrop Grumman
The company recently manufactured and tested its first prototype of the Very Lightweight Torpedo for the US Navy.
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NewsUS Air Force launches Skyborg competition, artificial intelligence for loyal wingman UAV
The US Air Force has launched a competition to design the artificially intelligent software that would control its planned fleet of loyal wingman unmanned air vehicles.
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NewsMQ-8C starts flight tests with new radar
Flight tests of the Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout UAV with an advanced search radar are underway with the US Navy. Flight testing with the Leonardo AN/ZPY-8 Osprey radar commenced from the US Navy’s Patuxent River testing facility in late February, says Northrop. “The AN/ZPY-8 radar significantly increases Fire Scout’s ...
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NewsLockheed Martin Skunk Works demos autonomous reconnaissance pod
Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Development Programs, also known as Skunk Works, has demonstrated an artificial intelligence-powered intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance pod autonomously searching out and confirming a target in a demonstration.
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NewsIsrael orders Rafael’s Spike Firefly loitering munition
Rafael has been awarded a contract to equip Israel’s land forces with its Spike Firefly lightweight loitering munition.
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NewsBoeing rolls out Airpower Teaming System for Royal Australian Air Force
Later this year, the Airpower Teaming System will undergo ground testing, followed by taxi tests and its first flight test. After that, manned-unmanned teaming test flights will be conducted, says the firm. Testing is to be done at undisclosed locations in Australia.
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NewsAeroVironment wins $76 million contract for Switchblade loitering munitions
AeroVironment has won a $76 million contract to supply an undisclosed quantity of Switchblade loitering munitions to the US Army and US Marine Corps.
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NewsAeroVironment launches Quantix Recon, a military variant of its farm surveying drone
AeroVironment has launched its Quantix Recon unmanned air vehicle (UAV), a military variant of its farm surveying drone, on the market.
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In depthWhy air launched effects and long-range missiles are critical to US Army
After recent drone demonstrations, the US Army says it is one step closer to developing the aircraft and weapons needed to penetrate and destroy the advanced air defences of adversaries such as China or Russia.