DefenceTalkThe UK Ministry of Defence (UK MOD) and BAE Systems have revealed that Taranis, the stealthy unmanned combat vehicle demonstrator and the most advanced aircraft ever built by British engineers, surpassed all expectations during its first flight trials last year. Taranis, named after the Celtic god of thunder, made its maiden flight at an undisclosed […]https://www.defencetalk.com/bae-unveils-taranis-stealthy-ucav-50252/

DefenceTalkWith the success of a forward-firing miniature munition, also known as Spike, the Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) proved that the government, by owning and controlling a weapons design, using modern modular designs and commercial-off-the-shelf components through ‘non-Department of Defense’ U.S. companies, can procure and deliver sophisticated guided missiles at a much lower […]https://www.defencetalk.com/navair-develops-forward-firing-miniature-munition-50257/

DefenceTalkSilently circling high above the ground, the unmanned aerial vehicle RQ-11 Raven’s camera focused in on its target. The operator, Sgt. Jason Lundquist, controlled the Raven’s actions from a ground station. He zoomed in on his target, taking multiple pictures as his aircraft made another pass. He was on a reconnaissance mission and these photos […]https://www.defencetalk.com/military-police-take-to-sky-with-units-ravens-50230/

DefenceTalk2013 was an especially successful year for Elbit Systems’ unmanned aircraft systems operations, where the Hermes family, particularly the most advanced of the UAS family – the Hermes 900, reported noteworthy achievements. Production: Hermes UAS production rate was one per week. Sales: Dozens of platforms sold to customers in Israel, Europe and Latin America. Hermes […]https://www.defencetalk.com/elbit-systems-calls-2013-the-year-of-the-hermes-uas-50206/

DefenceTalkThe Navy and Marine Corps’ newest small unmanned aircraft system RQ-21A Blackjack began its initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) in early January at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif. As part of IOT&E, this first low-rate initial production (LRIP) lot of the Blackjack, previously known as RQ-21A Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft […]https://www.defencetalk.com/rq-21a-blackjack-begins-operational-test-phase-50187/

DefenceTalkIn the not too distant future, you may hear the hum of a drone’s rotors as it descends upon you and be filled with a sense of relief, not panic. After all, it’s coming to save you, not harm you. Research at the University of Cincinnati could soon enable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) – similar […]https://www.defencetalk.com/someday-a-drone-might-save-your-life-50134/

DefenceTalkAs Army aviation’s flight path continues through the drawdown and budgetary constraints, it will swap some helicopters around and defund others, said Maj. Gen. Kevin W. Mangum. In so doing, Army aviation will get the right mix it needs to be ready and relevant, he said. The general spoke during the Association of the United […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-aviation-flying-smarter-into-fiscal-squeeze-50118/

DefenceTalkIt’s not a bird, not a plane. But it could be someone’s personal drone coming to the skies near you. Some of the flying objects being shown at this week’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas include items that are for play, personal photography and other uses which could lead to a market for the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/personal-drones-launch-in-your-skies-50068/

DefenceTalkUS aviation regulators on Monday released the names of sites picked to test civilian drones whose slated 2015 debut over American skies has sparked privacy concerns. Testing of the unmanned aircraft is due to start within three months and could continue until February 2017, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement. The FAA […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-names-drone-testing-sites-50006/

DefenceTalkStrategy and budget realities are two aspects of the Defense Department’s new Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap, released Dec. 23. The report to Congress is an attempt to chart how unmanned systems fit into the defense of the nation. “The 2013 Unmanned Systems Integrated Roadmap articulates a vision and strategy for the continued development, production, test, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-looks-25-years-ahead-in-unmanned-vehicle-roadmap-50000/