ASTM International Committee on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Cooperating with FAA on Small UAS Standards Development ASTM International Committee F38 on Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) was recently requested by the Federal Aviation Administration to assist with the development of industry consensus standards to support the integration of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS) into the U.S. national airspace system (NAS). Following...
THIRD FRONTIER AWARD WILL SUPPORT PRODUCTION OF ‘GAME-CHANGING,’ MULTI-TASKING NANOMATERIAL A $3 million Ohio Third Frontier award to the University of Dayton Research Institute will fund the scale-up and production of a “game-changing” new nanomaterial that will allow composites to multitask – a wind turbine tower that can de-ice its own blades in winter, or store energy to release...
Its not cheap taking images to help keep a big oil company honest. The grassroots mapping team has released the following. We are a group of citizens and activist mappers who are documenting the effects of the BP oil spill in the Gulf Coast with a set of novel DIY tools — we send inexpensive cameras up in helium...
To lower the fuel consumption of airplanes and ships, it is necessary to reduce their flow resistance, or drag. An innovative paint system makes this possible. This not only lowers costs, it also reduces CO2 emissions. The inspiration – and model – for the paint‘s structure comes from nature: The scales of fast-swimming sharks have evolved in a manner...
Ricardo today announced that it is developing a new purpose-built family of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) engines called Wolverine for both civilian and military applications. The first engine in the family – the Ricardo Wolverine 3 – is designed to power lightweight aircraft and use military-spec heavy fuels. It is a 3.1-horsepower, two-cylinder, two-stroke, air-cooled engine with spark ignition,...
Adelaide based Nick Peppas of team CooeeUAV Outback Challenge entry has come up with an inventive method of attracting sponsorship. During the forthcoming Sheppard group Heli & UV Pacific 2010 exhibition attendees will be able to contribute towards advertising space on Mr Peppas UAV. The airframe is set to compete in the popular and ground breaking UAV search and...
With a slick new website and positive message for UAS tasking the Outback Challenge once again opened its doors for competitors today. Split into several tasks as follows, taken from the official site. AIRBORNE DELIVERY CHALLENGE This category is only open to students in Australian High Schools. The Mission An emergency package (shape and size specified in rules) will...
The Falcon 8 sUAS (small unmanned aerial system), a compact remotely-piloted eight-motored ‘octocopter’, will be demonstrated at the Farnborough International Airshow 2010 in July. It will also be the focus of attention when it is demonstrated indoors by pilot Mike Smith at the Airshow launch press event being held at Farnborough on Wednesday 12 May 2010. The Falcon 8...
New System Supplies Unlimited Power, Extends UAV Abilities and Enables New Missions Kent, Wash. (May 4, 2010) – LaserMotive, a leading R&D company specializing in laser power beaming and winner of the NASA-sponsored 2009 Power Beaming Competition, has unveiled its blueprint for creating the first endless power system for unmanned aerial vehicles. The proposed system is based on technology...
Well you can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs as the saying goes. Conflicting reports of two off airfield landings have hit the wires this week. Some even mentioning a IAI Searcher II. Defense Research and Development Organization’s (DRDO) Nishant is beginning to get a reputation for incidents. It does point to Indian forces being involved in intensive training...
