DefenceTalkGeneral Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) today announced the successful first 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 flight occurred on February 18 at GA-ASI’s Gray Butte Flight Test Facility in Palmdale, Calif., […]https://www.defencetalk.com/predator-b-uav-extended-range-conducts-first-flight-with-long-wings-upgrade-66899/

DefenceTalk“Our adversaries have begun to catch us in technology and in some cases, we believe, may overmatch some of our systems,” said a senior intelligence advisor. That’s why “we’re particularly interested in the pursuit of the third offset,” he said. Gary Phillips, senior intelligence advisor for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command’s G-2, Intelligence […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-seeking-3rd-offset-strategy-to-dominate-enemy-66838/

DefenceTalkEach year, the U.S. Army conducts a series of technology demonstrations known as the Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiments, or AEWE. The event is the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command’s live, force-on-force experiment. AEWE places technologies under development by industry and Army researchers into the hands of Soldiers for early and credible feedback from the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-selects-3-d-printed-uas-concept-for-future-experiment-66817/

DefenceTalkThe British government is close to ordering two solar-powered high-altitude Zephyr surveillance drones from European aerospace giant Airbus, it said Wednesday. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced in a statement that the deal was worth £10.6 million ($15.2 million, 14 million euros), in the first ever order for Airbus Zephyr unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). “The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/britain-set-to-buy-two-zephyr-spy-drones-from-airbus-66661/

DefenceTalkThe Army is working toward a universal control interface for unmanned aircraft systems, or UAS, that will help operators pilot more than one type. “Probably one of the biggest and most impacting changes that we’re looking forward to in our strategy is that of a universal operator and a universal control interface,” said Col. Paul […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-to-go-universal-with-uas-operator-training-66631/

DefenceTalkThe United States intends to deploy in South Korea the newest MQ-1C Gray Eagle drones, that can not only conduct reconnaissance flights, but also missile attacks, a South Korean news outlet reported Wednesday. According to the Chosun Ilbo, citing a US military source, deployment of Gray Eagle unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), that are superior in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-to-deploy-missile-attack-drones-in-south-korea-66612/

DefenceTalkAs UAVs become more common, security officials have grown increasingly concerned about the dangers posed by small and difficult to detect aircraft. An Italian aerospace company offers an answer in the form of a counter-drone system known as Falcon Shield. Remote-controlled drones, once a hobbyist rarity, have become commonplace. In October, the US government estimated […]https://www.defencetalk.com/absolute-anti-drone-shield-company-creates-uav-killing-system-66531/

DefenceTalkNorth Korea has been honing its drone system for over 25 years, developing advanced drones believed to be capable of both airstrikes and deep infiltration. Here’s how they did it. North Korea’s latest drone incursion into South Korean airspace over the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) again shed light on the country’s extensive drone program, which could […]https://www.defencetalk.com/inside-north-koreas-secret-uav-program-66414/

DefenceTalkDefence and security company Saab has signed a contract with the Swedish Police to deliver three UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) systems. Delivery will take place in 2016. Saab will deliver three UAV systems to the Swedish Police. Each system comprises air vehicles equipped with day/night sensors and a ground station, plus spare parts, consumables, documentation, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/saab-to-deliver-uav-systems-to-the-swedish-police-66368/

DefenceTalkGermany said Tuesday that it would buy up to five military reconnaissance drones capable of carrying missiles from Israel until a similar European model has hit the market. Defense Minister Ursula von der Leyen said that Berlin aimed to ink the deal to buy three to five Heron TP drones this year from Israel’s Aerospace […]https://www.defencetalk.com/germany-to-buy-israeli-drones-which-can-be-weaponized-66349/