UAV
Brazil’s Drone Expansion
Two squadrons of the Brazilian Air Force now operate unmanned aerial systems, following the global military trend for drones. We explore the origins and evolution of these unique aircraft
Russia developing technology to integrate drones into common airspace
On December 21, 2020 the technical design stage of the Russian Unmanned aircraft system Traffic Management (RUTM1) was completed and the project team demonstrated the UAV’s onboard module and the operability of various services for UAV, including the service for automatic conflict resolution in real time.
GA-ASI integrates Legion Pod onto Avenger drone
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) announced on January 15 that it had completed a test flight of an Avenger remotely piloted aircraft that had been fitted with Lockheed Martin’s Legion Pod
USAF deploys MQ-9A Reapers to Romania
The USAF has deployed an undisclosed number of MQ-9A Reaper remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) and approximately 90 airmen to Romania’s 71st Air Base in Câmpia Turzii
MQ-25 completes first flight with aerial refuelling store
Boeing and the US Navy passed a significant milestone in the MQ-25 Stingray’s development programme on December 9, when the test asset flew with Cobham’s aerial refuelling store for the first time
GA-ASI tests CODE autonomy engine on Avenger UAS
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) announced on December 4 that it had recently flown an Avenger UAS, equipped with a government-supplied Collaborative Operations in Denied Environment (CODE) autonomy engine
Belgrade Airport enhances security
Belgrade Nikola Tesla Airport purchased and put into operation an R&S ARDRONIS counter drone system from Rohde & Schwarz. Early warnings about drones are key to countering threats, and R&S ARDRONIS can detect drones even before they take off.
US Army to receive 36 new Shadow Block III UAS
Textron Systems revealed on December 2 that it will deliver 36 new Block III-configured RQ-7B Shadow unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) to the US Army in a deal worth US$66m
USAF UFO: Mystery Aircraft Caught on Camera
A mysterious aircraft matching the description of the USAF’s secret RQ-180 reconnaissance drone flew over Edwards AFB in California in daylight sometime in early October – and a photographer was there to document it
Spain receives final two MQ-9A Block 5 RPAs
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc (GA-ASI) delivered the last two MQ-9A Block 5 remotely piloted aircraft and final ground control station to the Spanish Air Force on November 23