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US Army Upgrades Gray Eagle to Support Multi-Domain Operations

General Atomics-Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) began the first installation of factory upgrades to a Gray Eagle-Extended Range (GE-ER) Unmanned Aircraft System to enhance its capabilities to support Multi-Domain Operations (MDO). Under the current program, the U.S. Army-funded program includes two aircraft. Flight tests and qualifications will start later this year. 

Heron II Joins IAI’s MALE Family

IAI has unveiled a new version of its Heron Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drone, designated Heron Heron MK II. Carrying a 470 kg payload weight the maximum takeoff weight has increased to 1,350 kg., while mission endurance remained at 45 hours.

A new Asian Customer for the Israeli MALE Drone

Israel's Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) producer Aeronautics announced today the award of a contract worth $27 million from an Asian government to supply Dominator XP Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) UAS.

Future Drones: Mission Systems’ Automation

This post continues our discussion on Future Drones Mission autonomy evolved parallel to the automation of piloting functions. Such capabilities are derived from mission payloads...

Predator B ER Spreads Bigger Wings

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) conducted recently the longest flight of Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper Extended Range (ER) Long Wing, retrofitted with improved long-endurance wings with greater internal fuel capacity and additional hard points for carrying external stores. The long wings are the first components to be produced as part of GA-ASI’s Certifiable Predator B (CPB) development project, which will lead to a certifiable production aircraft in early 2018.

Spain To fly Predator B Reaper Drones

The government of Spain has selected General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI) to deliver Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) systems to the Spanish Air Force....

Spain Allocates €171 Million to Buy Four ‘Megadrones’

Spain has decided to buy four Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) drones for its air force. According to the Ministry of Defense announcement made on thursday in Madrid, the Government allocated €25 million ($27 million) in the 2016 budget to fund the acquisition of the first system. Both US madse MQ-9 and Israeli Heron TP are considered.

Northrop Grumman and Aerovironment are developing a new naval drone for...

DARPA is expecting to complete risk reduction studies in September, and select one of two competing designs for medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aerial systems (MALE UAS), to demonstrate drone operations from small and medium naval vessels by 2017.

Italian Air Force to acquire six HammerHead MALE UAVs

The Italian Air Force will be the launch customer of the P.1HH HammerHead Unmanned Aerial System (UAS). The manufacturer, Piaggio Aerospace will deliver three UAS systems – 6 air vehicles and 3 ground control stations – complete with intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) configuration to the Italian Air Force in early 2016.

Orion UAS breaks flight endurance record on 80 hour mission

Aurora Flight Sciences announced that it has filed for an official world endurance record following an 80 hour flight by its Orion unmanned aircraft system (UAS). However, Despite the impressive performance of the system, the US Air Force is not interested in buying more systems

Seoul is buying US and Israeli drones

Seoul plans to spend 40 billion won (US$36.5 million) buying three Heron I MALE drones from Israel. The drones will support the frontline corps along the northwestern border with North Korea

Iran claim to have downed an Israeli ‘stealth drone’

Iran reported today its air defense forces have downed an Israeli unmanned aircraft possibly a previously unknown, stealth model. The aircraft was intercepted by a surface-to-air missile. "A pilotless Israeli spy plane was shot down after it was traced and intercepted by the IRGC Aerospace Force," a statement by the Iranian Republican Guards Corps' (IRGC) announced.

French Army could expand UAS choices

A new drone war has heating up in France, as authorities are gearing up for the long awaited Request for Proposal of the Système de Drones Tactiques (SDT) - 30 a tactical drone systems that would replace the Sperwer UAS by 2019.

First Flight of the Orion Mega MALE Drone

Aurora Flight Sciences Orion UAS has made its first flight last month, on August 24, 2013 the Orion took off from an unnamed airfield...

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