Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.
The former EADS Cassidian business, later Airbus Defence, launched the Sagitta research project in 2010.
Rules are evolving as the technology does.
A second prototype of the unmanned P.180 Avanti derivative returned to flight test status after a first prototype crashed in May 2016.
The Naval Air Systems Command and Special Operations Command have awarded IDIQ contracts of $1.7 billion and $475 million, respectively.
Complying with a federal appellate court ruling, the agency will delete the information it has collected on drone hobbyists—at their request.
Plans call for the Block 50 Advanced Cockpit Ground Control Station to replace existing ground stations for U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reapers.
Safety study will examine recent incidents involving the presence of drones in aircraft flight paths near Portuguese airports.
The agency is considering legal or legislative options after a federal appellate court said its registry for drone hobbyists is unlawful.
The Mid-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems III program has a potential value of $475 million.
Swiss/Swedish joint venture UMS Skeldar is to supply its V-200 UAV for operations on behalf of the European Maritime Safety Agency.
