DefenceTalkThe Army used a vehicle-mounted high-energy laser for the first time to successfully engage more than 90 mortar rounds and several unmanned aerial vehicles in flight. The Army High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator, or HEL MD, underwent multiple test events between Nov. 18 and Dec. 10, at White Sands Missile Range. This was the first […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-tests-vehicle-mounted-laser-against-multiple-targets-49920/

DefenceTalkThe US Air Force has secretly developed a new stealth drone for long-range reconnaissance missions that could be operational by 2015, according to a report Friday in an industry magazine. The unmanned drone, dubbed RQ-180, is currently in the testing phase at the top secret Groom Lake air base in Nevada — the infamous “Area […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-air-force-has-secretly-built-a-new-stealth-drone-49864/

DefenceTalkNorthrop Grumman Corporation’s (NOC) Moss Point, Miss., Unmanned Systems Center started production of the first NATO Alliance Ground Surveillance (AGS) Block 40 Global Hawk aircraft, enhanced to meet NATO operational requirements. NATO representatives, state dignitaries, community leaders and Northrop Grumman employees gathered to celebrate the start of production for the first of five aircraft. The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/northrop-begins-production-of-first-nato-global-hawk-49826/

DefenceTalkThe Army recently purchased 36 Maveric unmanned aerial systems as a result of an urgent request from Soldiers in theater. The request was made to the Rapid Equipping Force at Fort Belvoir, Va., in March and Soldiers will receive them by December. The 36 Maverics, which are not in the Army’s current UAS inventory, cost […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-purchases-bird-like-micro-unmanned-aerial-system-49734/

DefenceTalkThe Navy concluded another round of carrier testing Nov. 19 to further demonstrate and evaluate the X-47B unmanned air system integration within the aircraft carrier environment. Tests aboard USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) included deck handling, carrier approaches and landings in off-nominal wind conditions, digitized ship systems interfaces, and concept of operations development. “The X-47 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/navy-x-47b-unmanned-combat-air-system-completes-carrier-tests-49705/

DefenceTalkDefence and security company Saab’s Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) Skeldar is now operationally deployed on-board the offshore patrol vessel BAM Meteoro. Skeldar is supporting the Spanish Navy with surveillance capabilities while taking part in the EU Atalanta operation in the Gulf of Aden. Earlier this year Saab announced a contract to deploy the Skeldar Unmanned […]https://www.defencetalk.com/skeldar-uas-operationally-deployed-by-the-spanish-navy-49655/

DefenceTalkThe X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D) conducted flight operations aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71), Nov. 10. The event, the most-recent in a series of carrier-based tests, demonstrated the integration of the latest in naval aviation technology with the most advanced and capable carrier. This weekend’s tests demonstrated the X-47B’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/x-47b-operates-aboard-theodore-roosevelt-49607/

DefenceTalkExelis has been awarded a $20.6 million contract by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. of Poway, Calif., to produce the BRU-71/A ejector rack for the Predator B/MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft. Under the contract, Exelis will produce more than 500 BRU-71/A units for deployment on U.S. Air Force MQ-9s. The BRU-71/A is a pneumatic carriage […]https://www.defencetalk.com/exelis-to-produce-carriage-and-release-systems-for-mq-9-reaper-49580/

DefenceTalkA wireless ground sensor network developed by Lockheed Martin will soon have the option of being fully integrated with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Lockheed Martin’s Self-Powered Ad-hoc Network (SPAN), a wireless ground sensor system will be able to connect with unmanned vehicles to provide ubiquitous coverage and persistent surveillance of designated areas. “SPAN is essentially a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lockheed-martin-links-ground-sensor-network-with-uavs-49444/

DefenceTalkThe Pentagon is shifting its drone operations from a US base in Djibouti to a more remote airfield after local officials voiced concern about possible collisions with commercial aircraft, officials said Wednesday. “There was a concern over what would happen if a MQ-1 (Predator drone) obstructed a runway, and that it would have a significant […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-relocates-drones-airfield-after-djibouti-crashes-49208/