Defense Systems
What can Syria's Iranian-made drones do (and not do)?
The Iranian made drones that Syria is using to spy on the Free Syria Army have limited capabilities.
Defense Systems
Air Force plans acquisition shakeup post-Afghanistan
Noting that some of the key Air Force systems used over Iraq and Afghanistan would be vulnerable in a hotly contested environment such as the Pacific theater, the military service is focusing on acquiring more stealthy aircraft systems in the months and years ahead.
Defense Systems
Lockheed promotes manned-unmanned capability for export
Lockheed Martin touted its manned-unmanned teaming capability in mid-July at the Farnborough International Airshow.
Defense Systems
Army makes new plans for UAS assets in Afghanistan
Army COL Tim Baxter on deployment of a company of Gray Eagle unmanned aerial vehicles to Afghanistan, the use of universal systems and interoperability, and the weaponization of the Shadow UAV.
Defense Systems
Army backed by OSD in decision to continue Gray Eagle upgrades
The Army plans to press on with its plan to buy more Gray Eagle drones and make key upgrades to the aircraft despite glitches encountered with its software.
Defense Systems
Better sensors, cameras help US thwart IEDs in Afghanistan
Images from new radar and sensors designed to detect wires that trigger explosives deployed on both manned and unmanned aircraft are substantially reducing the threat that improvised explosive devices pose to U.S. and coalition forces in Afghanistan.
Defense Systems
Nations want American UAVs, or will develop their own
The number of nations around the world interested in fielding their own unmanned aerial vehicles has expanded beyond the use the United States and its key allies to include nations in fertile markets such as Europe, Latin America and the Middle East.
Defense Systems
Grey Eagles and 747s to share national airspace soon?
The Army has completed a two-week trial of its new “sense and avoid” technology for unmanned aerial systems and says UASes could be sharing domestic airspace with piloted craft by March 2014.
Defense Systems
Unmanned ground vehicles show their stuff at Robotics Rodeo
The Army offered a variety of vignettes for unmanned ground vehicles in its third Robotics Rodeo.
Defense Systems
Air Force wants collision-avoidance technology for drones
The Air Force is seeking information on industry qualifications and capability concepts as a precursor to issuing a request for proposals for its Airborne Sense and Avoid Program for unmanned aircraft.
Defense Systems
Simple spoofing technology can turn our own UAVs against us
A research team from the University of Texas at Austin's Radionavigation Laboratory recently demonstrated to federal officials that anyone with $1,000 and technological know-how can take over a drone for nefarious purposes, potentially leading to the United States facing attacks from its own drones.
Defense Systems
No winner emerges in DARPA's do-it-yourself drone contest
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has declared no winners in its do-it-yourself drone contest known as UAVForge launched in 2011 that sought to create miniature drones that could fit inside a warfighter's backpack.
Defense Systems
Demand grows for tactical unmanned aircraft
The military services and industry are accelerating deliveries of small and medium-class unmanned aerial vehicles in response to a growing demand for their presence on the battlefield.
Defense Systems
Navy's Triton UAV fleet key to rebalancing Pacific
The U.S. Navy's MQ-4C Triton Broad Area Maritime Surveillance unmanned aerial vehicle made its first official appearance June 14, and that is just the beginning.
Defense Systems
Phantom Eye holds promise, but has long way to go
Boeing's massive hydrogen-powered Phantom Eye UAV performed its first test flight at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center June 1 reaching an altitude of 4,080 feet and a cruising speed of 62 knots, which is short of the performance attributes the military wants it eventually to achieve.
Defense Systems
As war winds down, a shakeup lays ahead for the UAV fleet
As the U.S. winds down in Afghanistan, some unmanned aircraft will face sunset while others will endure in the future force, according to a top DOD official.
Defense Systems
Handling UAVs on crowded Navy carriers poses major challenge
As the Navy prepares to introduce its robotic jet-powered warplanes to the decks of its aircraft carriers in mid-2013, it must reassess how it choreographs the delicate dance of people, vehicles, and manned and unmanned aircraft in a highly dangerous environment.
Defense Systems
Cargo robots might be up for Afghan tour-of-duty extension
Four Lockheed Martin Squad Mission Support System unmanned ground vehicles might have their Afghan tour of duty extended for a second time in 2012.
Defense Systems
Common data sharing essential to AirSea Battle doctrine
The "AirSea Battle" concept championed by top Navy and Air Force brass has a long way to go since there is a noticeable lack of data-sharing protocol between the two military services.
Defense Systems