DefenceTalkSyria’s military has shot down a US drone over the coastal province of Latakia, a stronghold of President Bashar al-Assad, state media said on Tuesday. “Syrian air defences brought down a hostile US surveillance aircraft over north Latakia,” the official SANA news agency said in a breaking news alert. The agency gave no further details […]https://www.defencetalk.com/syria-air-defence-shoots-down-us-drone-state-media-63567/

DefenceTalkThe United States is the world’s technological leader in the development and deployment of military Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). As other nations begin to employ military UAS more regularly and as the nascent commercial UAS market emerges, the United States has a responsibility to ensure that sales, transfers, and subsequent use of all U.S.-origin UAS […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-export-policy-military-unmanned-aerial-systems-uas-63140/

DefenceTalkThe State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Netherlands for MQ-9 Reapers and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $339 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. Also provided are an Initial Spares […]https://www.defencetalk.com/the-netherlands-to-buy-mq-9-reapers-62840/

DefenceTalkA new course at Fort Rucker, Alabama, will pair up Air Cavalry leaders with the operators of unmanned aerial systems. The Aviation Reconnaissance Course, scheduled to launch this spring, was discussed at the Association of the U.S. Army’s “Hot Topics” conference on aviation today in Arlington, Virginia. The course was mentioned during a panel discussion […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-helicopter-pilots-train-with-uas-operators-62470/

DefenceTalkThe study is designed to give a comprehensive overview of the commercial drone market segment. Research represents a selection from the mountains of data available of the most relevant and cogent market materials, with selections made by the most senior analysts. Commentary on every aspect of the market from independent analysts creates an independent perspective […]https://www.defencetalk.com/commercial-drones-markets-reach-4-8-billion-by-2021-62253/

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 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 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/

DefenceTalkMilitary teams patrolling dangerous urban environments overseas and rescue teams responding to disasters such as earthquakes or floods currently rely on remotely piloted unmanned aerial vehicles to provide a bird’s-eye view of the situation and spot threats that can’t be seen from the ground. But to know what’s going on inside an unstable building or […]https://www.defencetalk.com/speedy-agile-uavs-envisioned-for-troops-in-urban-missions-61206/