Explore UST’s round-up of our five most read articles in the industry this week, including new technologies, collaborations, white papers, and industry successes.
1. Honeywell Advances eVTOL Control with New Ground Station
Honeywell, a global aerospace technology company, has successfully tested a new ground control station for eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft.
The demonstration took place in June 2024, in Amstetten, Austria, in collaboration with Frequentis an Austria-based global supplier of communication and information systems for control centers with safety-critical tasks. It was part of the SESAR Joint Undertaking OperA (Operate Anywhere) project consortium.
2. MQ-9B SkyGuardian UAS Flown with New Turboprop Engine
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has confirmed that it has successfully flown a company-owned MQ-9B SkyGuardian Remotely Piloted Aircraft equipped with a PT6 E-Series model turboprop engine supplied by Pratt & Whitney Canada.
Representatives from GA-ASI and Pratt & Whitney witnessed the first flight of the PT6 engine on MQ-9B, which lasted 44 minutes and demonstrated exemplary handling and acceleration.
3. Surveillance Services Integrated into Traffic Management Solutions
uAvionix has integrated its FlightLine surveillance services with Volant Autonomy’s advanced ITM (Integrated Traffic Management) system for ALIAS (Agile and Integrated Airspace System), a leading-edge UK Government $5M Future Flight Phase III project.
The collaboration, showcased in the Channel Islands, is an important step forward in advancing the integration of unsegregated crewed and uncrewed operations into the UK airspace system and supporting Beyond Visual Line of Sight operations for Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS).
4. New Long-Range Airborne Imaging System for Reconnaissance & SAR Missions
Teledyne FLIR Defense unveiled its UltraFORCE® 380-HDc imaging system at the 2024 Farnborough International Air Show. The new long-range airborne surveillance solution is not subject to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), easing shipment and freedom of movement to customers outside the United States.
The UltraFORCE 380-HDc delivers superior high-definition multi-spectral imaging in a compact, low-profile package. Full 1080p resolution across its visual, thermal, low-light, and shortwave infrared (SWIR) cameras makes the 380-HDc an optimal solution for airborne reconnaissance, patrol, and search and rescue (SAR) missions.
5. Transwing UAS Conducts First UK Flights
PteroDynamics and Overwatch Group have formed a strategic relationship, since which the companies have completed the first ever UK flights with the pioneering Transwing® unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
Transwing has been designed to overcome the challenges of carrying significant payloads whilst delivering the range required to provide enhanced operational effect. The unique dihedral folding wing system generates more surface area for greater lift and load carrying stability with less power, providing the ability to launch and land on small footprints regardless of the angle.
