Unmanned Systems report
Defense Update Unmanned Systems Channel - April 2011
- iRobot Introduces a New Mini-Robot
- IAI Unveils Hovering Aerial and Ground Observation Vehicles at LAAD 2011
- Industry Team Finalizes AGS Negotiation, Anticipates Order Award in July 2011
- Global Observer Crash on Test Flight from Edwards
- Dassault, BAE Systems to Cooperate Developing MALE UAVs
- U.S. Air Force receives the Last Predator
Photo above: An artist concept showing the Global Hawk RQ-4B Block 40 configured for the NATO AGS core capability. Photo: Northrop Grumman (Read More...)
iRobot Introduces a New Mini-Robot
iRobot has unveiled pre-production prototypes of its latest new product, the iRobot 110 FirstLook unmanned ground vehicle (UGV). This small, light and throwable robot provides hasty situational awareness, performs persistent observation and investigates confined spaces. “FirstLook is going to be a very important tool for warfighters and first responders,” said Robert Moses, president of iRobot’s Government and Industrial Robots division. (Read More...)
IAI Unveils Hovering Aerial and Ground Observation Vehicles at LAAD 2011
Israel Aerospace Industries is unveiling an all-terrain, ground observation vehicle designed for paramilitary, border security and countering drug trafficking and smuggling. Other highlights at IAI are unmanned systems such as the Medium Altitude Long Endurance Heron TP, which could augment the Heron already operated by the Brazilian internal security police forces. (Read More...)
Industry Team Finalizes AGS Negotiation, Anticipates Order Award in July 2011
Northrop Grumman Corporation submitted its final proposal for the NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) core capability. NATO AGS system will employ an air segment consisting of six Northrop Grumman Block 40 Global Hawks specially missionized to provide persistent intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance to ground, maritime and air commanders, anytime and anywhere in the world. (Read More...)
Global Observer Crash on Test Flight from Edwards
An unmanned aircraft crashed early Friday around 2:30 a.m. near the southwest corner of Rogers Dry Lakebed off the Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., where it was flying on test flights. The Global Observer designed and built by Aerovironment has a 175-foot wingspan. The unmanned aircraft was flying with the 412th Test Wing were testing the Global Observer to assess the aircraft’s potential government, civil and military uses. (Read More...)
Dassault, BAE Systems to Cooperate Developing MALE UAVs
BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate exclusively on the preparation and submission of a joint proposal to the UK and French Ministries of Defence for the design, development, production and support of a Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS). The signature follows the United Kingdom and French Governments agreement at the Anglo-French Summit in November 2010 to collaborate on the next generation MALE UAS to meet the requirements of both countries. (Read More...)
U.S. Air Force receives the Last Predator
On March 3, 2011 the U.S. Air Force accepted MQ-1 Predator tail number 268, the last manufactured for the service. Col. James Beissner, Air Combat Command’s Chief Irregular Warfare Division, accepted the aircraft on behalf of the Air Force. Since its first flight in July of 1994, 284 aircraft of the RQ/MQ-1 series have been produced, of which 269 were transferred to the U.S. Air Force (including three that also operated by the U.S. Navy). (Read More...)