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 Air Line Pilots Association contends that pressure to introduce drones into the U.S. national airspace system should not override safety.
Textron started operating the Aerosonde UAS through an FAA certificate of authorization awarded to the Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership.
The NTSB reversed a ruling that the FAA was wrong to fine Raphael Pirker for allegedly recklessly flying a drone.
Iran claims to have flown an unmanned aircraft copied from the RQ-170 Sentinel that crashed in that country in December 2011.
The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency seeks information on "distributed airborne capabilities" involving small unmanned aircraft.
The Royal Australian Air Force will continue using the IAI Heron to train until it receives the MQ-4C Triton.
The program is expected to be worth €200 to €250 million (up to $310 million), for the acquisition of 8-10 systems, with three UAVs per system.
The report from the Pentagon's inspector general relies on outdated information, contends the Air Force.
The number of applicants seeking to operate unmanned aircraft by exemption is increasing.
The service is adding mission systems for the new maritime surveillance aircraft.
