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Archive for the ‘UAS’ Category

Beez Combat Systems FGM (FPV Google Mount)

Wednesday, September 18th, 2024

The FGM (FPV Goggle Mount) is one of our products developed for our Unmanned Systems collection. Designed to mount the DJI Google 2 and SKY04 FPV goggles to a tactical helmet.

The mount has helmet bungee attachment points to help stabilize the mount to the helmet. The drone operator can maintain helmet protection, secure the goggles and support the battery system to the helmet.

The FGM interfaces with the Wilcox G24 mount/helmet shroud system using a Wilcox dove tail. This ensures a perfect fit, retention, and longevity.

The hands-free mounts enhance the drone operator’s abilities in a fast-paced tactical environment by increasing situational awareness and operational readiness.

For additional information and availability – Beez Combat Systems

***all Wilcox trademarks, brands, etc are the sole property of the respective company. Wilcox does not endorse these products***

Posted in Guest Post, Helmets, UAS | Comments Off on Beez Combat Systems FGM (FPV Google Mount)

GA-ASI Displays Future of Uncrewed Airpower at AFA ASC 2024

Tuesday, September 17th, 2024

Air Force Conference Will Feature Actual XQ-67A OBSS and Full-Scale CCA Model

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD – 16 September 2024– Are you ready to see the future of uncrewed air power? General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) announces major displays during the Air Force Association’s (AFA) Air, Space & Cyber Conference, Sept. 16–18, 2024. During the show, just outside Washington, D.C., GA-ASI will exhibit:

• The Air Force Research Laboratory’s XQ-67A Off-Board Sensing Station(OBSS) – the actual operational aircraftwill be parked for static display at GA-ASI’s booth #734.

• A full-scale model of GA-ASI’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), on display at the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s booth #1834.

Journalists and other AFA conference attendees are encouraged to view these and other GA-ASI exhibits to get the latest on how the company’s leadership in aircraft hardware, autonomy software, and other cutting-edge capabilities make it the strongest contender to build the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) for the U.S. and its allies.

OBSS

GA-ASI built the XQ-67A OBSS as part of an Air Force Research Laboratory effort. The aircraft flew for the first time in February 2024 and completed its initial round of flight testing in June. To demonstrate the maturity of its unmanned air-to-air platforms, GA-ASI engineers performed an Agile Combat deployment to the Gaylord Convention Center of the actual operational aircraft, using common commercial support equipment, to booth #734.

CCA

In addition, GA-ASI is showcasing a full-scale model of its CCA aircraft at booth #1834. In April, GA-ASI was selected to build a production CCA for the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center. Large numbers of these highly capable autonomous warplanes will fly alongside, and well ahead of, legacy human-piloted fighters to enhance their sensing, networking, and combat capabilities.

“We’re excited to show our industry colleagues what the future force will look like,” said GA-ASI President David R. Alexander.

Posted in Air Force, Press Release, Tradeshow, UAS | Comments Off on GA-ASI Displays Future of Uncrewed Airpower at AFA ASC 2024

The Army’s Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System Program Achieves Two Major Milestones

Friday, September 13th, 2024

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – The U.S. Army recently achieved two major milestones in the development of the Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System Program, when the two competitors completed Modular Open System Approach (MOSA) conformance evaluations and flight demonstrations of their prototype aircraft.

The MOSA conformance evaluations were conducted in May, with Griffon Aerospace in Madison, Ala. and Textron Systems in Huntsville, Ala. Conducted collaboratively, the evaluation consisted of replacing the vendor prototype mission computers with a third-party surrogate mission computer and a mix of third-party and vendor software. Swapping the hardware and software allowed an independent assessor to measure the openness and modularity of the prototype systems to determine the extent to which MOSA objectives were satisfied. This MOSA conformance verification demonstrated early implementation of and alignment with required MOSA functional boundaries and will serve as a model for follow-on MOSA evaluations.

Following MOSA verifications, the FTUAS team executed flight demonstrations with both vendor prototypes at the U.S. Army Redstone Test Center (RTC), a subordinate command of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command. Griffon Aerospace and Textron Systems conducted multiple flights at RTC demonstrating key system characteristics including Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL), reduced acoustic signature, On-The-Move (OTM) command and control, rapid emplacement, system integration, and flight performance. Each vendor will continue prototype development, incorporate feedback and lessons learned, and deliver production representative prototypes for use in future Government-led testing at RTC ultimately informing the Army’s selection for a Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System program of record.

FTUAS will provide Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) with an organic capability to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance operations that collect, develop, and report actionable intelligence, allowing the BCT commander to maintain dominance during Multi-Domain Operations.

FTUAS transformational capabilities include VTOL for runway independence, OTM command and control, and Soldier led, field-level maintenance. FTUAS’s Modular Open Systems Approach allows the system to keep pace with technology through rapid capability insertions.

The Program Executive Office (PEO) for Aviation at Redstone Arsenal, Ala. is responsible for modernizing the Army Aviation fleet of crewed and uncrewed aircraft to maintain the Army’s asymmetric advantage of peer adversaries in large scale combat operations. PEO Aviation’s Uncrewed Aircraft Systems Project Office is dedicated to rapidly fielding transformational UAS capabilities at echelon to Army formations.

–Program Executive Office, Aviation

Posted in Army, Aviation, Guest Post, UAS | Comments Off on The Army’s Future Tactical Uncrewed Aircraft System Program Achieves Two Major Milestones

Ascent AeroSystems Exhibits Full Line of Coaxial UAVs at Land Forces 2024

Thursday, September 12th, 2024

– Blue sUAS-approved, RemoteID-compliant UAVs are proven performers for mission-critical operations.

– Ascent Spirit and NX30 aircraft are fielded with DoD, DHS, DOJ, and Allied forces.

– Aircraft-grade UAS/UAVs produced at scale in Torrance, CA

Wilmington, MA – September 10, 2024 – Ascent AeroSystems, the world’s leading manufacturer of compact, high-performance, coaxial unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) drone systems, will exhibit this week at the Land Forces 2024 International Land Defence Exhibitionat the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre, Victoria, Australia. A first-time exhibitor at the biennial event, the Ascent stand—G084 in the USA Partnership Pavilion—will feature its family of rugged, all-weather coaxial propulsion UAS/UAVs.

“The NX30 and DIU Blue sUAS-approved Spirit are the most flexible multi-role Group 1 UAS/UAV platforms available,” commented Paul Fermo, vice president of business development for Ascent AeroSystems. “Built using our proven coaxial rotor technology and a unique cylindrical airframe, our aircraft-grade platforms deliver unmatched modularity for easy integration of multiple payloads.”

Novel Design Delivers Unmatched UAS/UAV Versatility

Ascent’s family of cylindrical, coaxial UAVs outperform comparable multirotor light and medium lift systems when it comes to up time, flight time and payload. Benefits include operational integrity in even the most austere environments, a reduced noise profile, multiple deployment modalities and efficient ground handling and storage, making them a preferred choice for a wide range of defense, public safety and industrial operations. The modularity and open architecture design of Ascent’s platforms also eliminates obsolescence and minimizes vendor lock, allowing operators to add, change, or update payloads and software as mission requirements dictate.

Spirit: DIU Blue UAS Cleared

The Ascent AeroSystems Spirit sets the industry standard for compact, rugged, versatile UAVs. It is a proven multi-role asset for surveillance, inspection, ISR and kinetic payload delivery. Available in one- or two-battery configurations, the Spirit has up to 58 minutes of endurance, or 32 minutes with maximum payload, a top speed of >60 mph (100 kph) and Class 8 wind resistance (40+ mph) to meet operational requirements in virtually any weather condition.

Learn more about the SPIRIT.

NX30: Scalable, Multi-purpose Backpack-portable Medium Lift

The only backpack-portable VTOL system optimized for medium lift, longer endurance missions with payloads up to 15.7 pounds (6.9 kg), the NX30 offers the performance and reliability necessary to support even the most complex missions. With a maximum take-off weight of 30 pounds, the radio agnostic NX30 can be configured with one or two batteries, has up to 65-minute endurance depending on payload, a maximum speed of >60 mph (100 kph), Class 8 wind resistance (40+ mph), and a maximum operating altitude of 14,600 feet MSL.

Learn more about the NX30.

The Ascent family of UAVs is produced at scale at Robinson Helicopter Company’s vertically integrated manufacturing facility in Torrance, California.

“The laws of aerodynamics and the laws of physics favor coaxial UAS/UAVs over other VTOL configurations,” Ascent AeroSystems cofounder and CEO Peter Fuchs stated. “It’s not marketing; it’s science.”

To see the Ascent AeroSystems family of coaxial UAS/UAVs, visit us at the USA Partnership Pavilion, stand G084, at Land Forces 2024 International Land Defence Exposition at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre in Victoria, Australia, September 11–13, 2024.

ascentaerosystems.com

Posted in Land Forces, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on Ascent AeroSystems Exhibits Full Line of Coaxial UAVs at Land Forces 2024

DefendTex Launches Domestically Manufactured “VENGEANCE” FPV Long Range Strike Drone

Thursday, September 12th, 2024

DANDENONG SOUTH, VICTORIA – 10 September 2024 – Australian company DefendTex has launched Australia’s first domestically manufactured ‘blue’ First Person View (FPV) combat drone. This drone, designed for the European market, can carry up to 10kg of explosive ordinance over a distance greaterthan 20kms. This FPV drone is one of a series of loitering munitions designed and manufactured by DefendTex Australia for export markets.

DefendTex CEO Travis Reddy said, “it is important for Australia to have a manufacturing capability to produce our own long range precision strike weapons at scale”. This technology is designed so that targets can be reached away from the frontline of the battlefield. Mr Reddy added, “with pressure on defence budgets and global shortages of munitions, the DefendTex Vengeance Drone is a disruptive technology that can be manufactured at scale and at low cost.” The drone has been hardened to operate in an electronic warfare environment and leverages the latest developments in artificial intelligence. The Vengeance drone enables FPV swarm operations from a single pilot with no increase in cognitive burden. DefendTex is an established leader in multi-domain asymmetric warfare solutions and was awarded Innovator of the Year at the Australian Defence Industry Awards in 2023 and 2024. Providing world leading defence technologies, DefendTex’s capabilities include precision guided weapons, energetics, rocket manufacturing and loitering munitions. DefendTex has extensive experience in collaborative research, having commercialised ground breaking defence technologies. DefendTex is headquartered in Australia and has offices in USA and UK.

Posted in International, Land Forces, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on DefendTex Launches Domestically Manufactured “VENGEANCE” FPV Long Range Strike Drone

CAMCOPTER S-100 Obtains First Ever EASA Design Verification Report For Rotary Wing UAS

Friday, September 6th, 2024

Vienna, 5 September 2024 – The CAMCOPTER® S-100 received the first ever Design Verification Report (DVR) by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for a Rotary Wing Unmanned Air System (RWUAS).

The Design Verification Report (DVR) for the specific category of UAS operations was issued after a rigorous evaluation process, including 300 EASA observed flight hours proving airworthiness, safety and enhanced containment, as well as successfully demonstrating laser safety, cyber security features and HIRF (High Intensity Radiated Fields) resistance.

This EASA report enables the French Navy to issue a “Military Operational Type Authorisation” and facilitates the approval processes for S-100 flight operations in all EASA member states.

“Receiving the DVR is a significant milestone for Schiebel and a major step towards fully certifying the CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS”, said Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group.

The DVR process was set in place by EASA at the end of 2021 and aims at ensuring safe drone operations in Europe.

Posted in Aviation, International, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on CAMCOPTER S-100 Obtains First Ever EASA Design Verification Report For Rotary Wing UAS

AeroVironment Secures $990M Contract to Supply U.S. Army with Switchblade Loitering Munitions

Thursday, August 29th, 2024

AV selected to deliver Switchblade systems for the U.S. Army’s lethal unmanned systems requirement

ARLINGTON, Va.–AeroVironment (AV) has been awarded a contract for the U.S. Army’s Directed Requirement (DR) for Lethal Unmanned Systems (LUS). The 5-year contract from Army Contracting Command-Aberdeen Proving Ground is Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with a contract ceiling value of $990M. Deliveries of the Switchblade® systems are expected to begin in months.

The LUS Directed Requirement is the Army’s first effort to equip soldiers in infantry battalions with lethal, man-portable loitering munition systems. The combat-proven Switchblade systems will enhance soldiers’ capabilities with precision flight control, greater lethality against fortified targets such as armored vehicles and tanks, and the ability to track and engage moving non-line-of-sight targets. AV was awarded a contract for the LUS Directed Requirement in December 2023 and is currently delivering systems under that contract.

“AV is proud to have been selected to provide Switchblade for this critical and urgent Army requirement,” said Brett Hush, AV’s senior vice president and general manager of Loitering Munition Systems. “This latest contract underscores the unmatched maturity and effectiveness of our system, as well as AV’s strategic positioning to rapidly produce and deliver these cutting-edge solutions to operators in the field.”

Switchblade represents the next generation of extended-range loitering munition systems, providing operators in the field with a multi-mission loitering munition system capable of multi-domain operations. The combat-proven system also features high-precision optics and extended loitering endurance.

“Starting with the LUS Directed Requirement, we are well positioned to meet the Army’s emerging needs, leveraging our robust production capability and supply chain capacity to ensure rapid fielding and enhanced combat overmatch for our soldiers,” continued Hush.

This contract further solidifies AV’s role as a leading provider of innovative unmanned solutions. The company remains committed to supporting the U.S. Army’s mission by delivering advanced technology that ensures operational superiority and enhances the safety and effectiveness of our military personnel.

For more information, visit www.avinc.com.

Posted in Army, Contracts, Munitions, Press Release, UAS | Comments Off on AeroVironment Secures $990M Contract to Supply U.S. Army with Switchblade Loitering Munitions

Hoptic USA – CADIS Shotgun Patterning Drone Targets

Wednesday, August 28th, 2024

CADIS (Civilian Anti Drone Interdiction System) is a complete training regimen which includes shooting clays in non-conventional directions and tracking and engaging drones. The skills begin with patterning your shotgun, ammo and choke selection with the CADIS Patterning Target.