General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. (GA-ASI) and L3Harris Technologies have successfully completed equipping a GA-ASI MQ-9 Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) with the WESCAM MX-20 Electro-optical/Infrared (EO/IR) system, resulting in an advanced targeting platform.
Beginning Feb. 18, a series of test flights were conducted to demonstrate the MQ-9’s ability to locate and track targets at long stand-off ranges thanks to the integration of the MX-20.
“The GA-ASI and L3Harris teams have worked closely over the past year to ensure the successful integration of this sophisticated system,” says Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI.
ISR
ISR
UAVOS to demonstrate unmanned helicopter for search and rescue maritime missions
During UMEX 2020, UAVOS and its partner ISR Unmanned Technology will conduct search and rescue maritime missions using their joint ISR350-5 unmanned helicopter.
Designed for civilian and security missions, the ISR350-5 UAS will perform rescue tasks, including dropping a life jacket into the water. In preparation for these exercises, UAVOS has modified the lifejacket by fitting it with a water anchor.
The demonstration flights will seek to prove the advantages of using an unmanned helicopter for maritime patrolling, especially when the aircraft is equipped with multiple sensors.
Silent Falcon UAS E1 surpasses 500 hours of successful flight testing and operations
Silent Falcon UAS Technologies (SFUAS) has announced that the Silent Falcon E1 UAS has completed 500 hours of successful flight testing and operations.
The solar electric, fixed wing UAS is considered an ideal platform to use to collect data in both harsh and peaceful environments, thanks in large part to its payload capacity of 20 pounds and its ceiling of 20,000 feet above ground level (AGL). The UAS is also noise and emission free, and it provides long range, low cost intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability.
FLIR Systems announces acquisition of Aeryon Labs
On Monday, Jan. 28, FLIR Systems Inc. announced its acquisition of Aeryon Labs Inc., which is known for developing high-performance UAS for the global military, public safety, and critical infrastructure markets. FLIR acquired Aeryon for $200 million.
Founded in 2007, Aeryon is based in Waterloo, Canada, with offices in Denver, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah. The company designs and manufactures mission-focused Group 1 UAS technology built around aircraft that weigh less than 20 pounds.
20 militaries in more than 30 countries across the globe deploy Aeryon’s family of UAS, including the United States Department of Defense.
Leonardo's Falco EVO Remotely-Piloted Air System being tested as part of Frontex surveillance research program
As part of the Frontex surveillance research program, Leonardo’s Falco EVO Remotely-Piloted Air System (RPAS), in a maritime patrol configuration, has been deployed from Lampedusa airport (Lampedusa Island) to test its ability to monitor the external borders of the European Union.
Frontex is looking into the surveillance capability of medium-altitude, long-endurance RPAS, while also evaluating the cost efficiency and endurance of these systems.
The European agency selected Leonardo under a “service contract tender for drone operations” for maritime surveillance across the Italian and Maltese civil airspace. While the current agreement provides for 300 flight hours, it may be extended into a longer-term agreement.
Lockheed Martin's unmanned MQ-25 tanker designed with the Navy's needs in mind
During a media briefing at Sea-Air-Space 2018 in National Harbor, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works’ leaders described the company’s MQ-25 unmanned tanker concept as a “tremendous, high performing tanker/airplane” for the Navy.
The “purpose-built” tanker’s configuration has a “clean sheet design,” the company says. According to Rob Weiss, vice president and general manager for Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, the aircraft’s configuration is a result of the Skunk Works’ team listening to its customer.
Schiebel successfully demonstrates heavy fuel variant of CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS to Royal Australian Navy customer
As part of its customer acceptance program with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), Schiebel successfully demonstrated the heavy fuel variant of its CAMCOPTER S-100 UAS.
The UAS successfully completed its flying program for the RAN validation and verification customer acceptance program at the Jervis Bay Airfield facilities in New South Wales, Australia.
Schiebel says that in a comprehensive series of tests, the JP-5 (NATO F-44) heavy fuel powered CAMCOPTER S-100, equipped with a “Wescam MX-10S payload,” and at operational ranges of up to 60 nautical miles as well as altitudes above 10,000 feet, showcased its ability to deliver world-class imagery to commanders.
Kratos receives $3.2 Million in UAS and other system orders; also receives contract for high performance UAS
On Jan. 3, Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. announced that it recently received approximately $3.2 million in UAS and other system product orders.
Kratos Modular Systems Division (MSD), which provides specialized systems and products for UAS, ballistic missile defense, and intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), just to name a few, will perform the work under these contract awards at secure Kratos production facilities.
“MSD is focused on the United States and its Allies' National Security, and we are proud to have been chosen by these customers in support of their missions,” says Tom Mills, President of Kratos Modular Systems Division.
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