DefenceTalkA European entrepreneur who challenged the right of US authorities to regulate small drones has settled his case with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), his lawyer said Thursday. Raphael Pirker will pay $1,100 in the settlement after the FAA had initially slapped Pirker with a $10,000 fine for reckless flying. The fine came when he […]https://www.defencetalk.com/drone-entrepreneur-settles-us-reckless-flying-case-62235/

DefenceTalkThe Russian United Instrument Corporation (UIC) has constructed two prototype versions of reconnaissance and strike drones, code-named “Chirok,” and is currently preparing them for tests, a source at UIC told RIA Novosti Friday. The source explained that currently there are three models of reconnaissance and strike drones (RSD) “Chirok.” One of these is a mock-up […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-develops-two-new-drones-ready-for-testing-62232/

DefenceTalkThe Russian military is putting the finishing touches to its very own heavy military UAV. The drone is part of a wider modernization effort, with the cutting-edge flagship S500 missile system coming in 2017. The drone “already exists,” according to Russian Deputy Defense Minister Yury Borisov. The heavy UAV, created in cooperation with the Federal […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-develops-heavy-drone-promises-s500-missile-system-by-2017-62226/

DefenceTalkThe U.S. military’s investments in unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) have proven invaluable for missions from intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) to tactical strike. Most of the current systems, however, require constant control by a dedicated pilot and sensor operator as well as a large number of analysts, all via telemetry. These requirements severely limit the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/establishing-the-code-for-unmanned-aircraft-to-fly-as-collaborative-teams-62217/

DefenceTalkLetting small drones fly for profit in US airspace would give a big lift to the development of unmanned aerial vehicles of all sizes, a Congressional committee heard Wednesday. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has yet to propose a full set of regulations for civilian drones — a delay that critics fear is undermining US […]https://www.defencetalk.com/advocates-pressure-us-congress-to-let-small-drones-fly-62098/

DefenceTalkThe Military Aviation Authority (MAA) has published a number of new regulations under a notice of authorised amendment (NAA) 15/03 for Remotely Piloted Air Systems (RPAS) which ‘go live’ on 19 January 2015. The publication of the regulations marks the end of a 15 month review by an MAA Multi-Disciplinary Team formed from staff across […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-introduces-new-regulations-for-remotely-piloted-air-systems-rpas-62008/

DefenceTalkThe Japan Ministry of Defense has selected two Northrop Grumman Corporation systems to enhance its intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Under a process known as type selection, the Japanese government chose the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft and the RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft system to help maintain the country’s sovereignty. Type selection […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-to-buy-northrop-e-2d-advanced-hawkeye-and-rq-4-global-hawk-uav-61997/

DefenceTalkTen US media organizations including the New York Times and Washington Post announced a coalition Thursday to test drones for news gathering in collaboration with Virginia Tech University. The initiative is “designed to conduct controlled safety testing of a series of real-life scenarios where the news media could use small UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) technology […]https://www.defencetalk.com/10-news-organizations-join-drone-test-program-61990/

DefenceTalkFacing a shortage of drone pilots, the US Air Force said Thursday it will increase pay for those who operate the robotic planes and draw on airmen from the reserves to fill the gap. The growing demand for drones has stretched the American military’s resources and placed a major strain on the aircraft’s pilots, who […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-force-moves-to-stem-shortage-of-drone-pilots-61986/

DefenceTalkThe Iranian Air Force has shot down three drones Saturday in the third day of an ongoing massive military exercise in southern parts of the country, Press TV reported. The unmanned aerial vehicles were brought down by three domestically designed and manufactured missiles fired from an ambush missile system known as Mersad, the news agency […]https://www.defencetalk.com/irans-air-force-shoots-down-3-drones-in-massive-military-drills-61240/