UAS

What Tactical Unmanned Aerial Assets Need in Today’s Battlefields

As a former Special Operations Forces Combat Controller, I’ve been a part of, and have seen, the revolution of Battlefield Air Operations. The use of tactical unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), for example, has evolved dramatically since their first deployment on the battlefield nearly 20 years ago – from single mission tools to highly sophisticated, multi-mission capable aircraft that now provide actionable intelligence and the persistent situational awareness needed in today’s dynamic operating environments. Rapidly deployable via hand or bungee launch, with flexible payload options and rated for all-environment operation, Group 1 UAS, such as AeroVironment’s Puma all environment system, provide land or maritime operators with actionable intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) in day, night, and low light conditions in even the harshest of environments. When combined with man-portable tactical missile systems, such as AeroVironment’s Switchblade, these aerial assets provide platoons with advanced sensor-to-shooter capabilities, increasing force projection and soldier lethality for engaging beyond-line-of-sight enemy targets. Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Mission Success Today, forces operating without organic tactical UAS assets can become pinned-down by enemy fire for a lengthy period. They must radio for manned attack aircraft or Group 3 or 4 UAS to provide Close Air Support or risk sending …

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AeroVironment lands $6.4 million Raven tactical UAS follow-on contract for Southeast Asian military

AeroVironment was awarded a $6.4 million contract from a Southeast Asian military customer for Raven unmanned aircraft systems

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AeroVironment launches new Puma LE long-endurance small UAV

AeroVironment announced the launch of its new Puma Long Endurance small unmanned aerial vehicle at the AUSA 2019 Annual Meeting & Exposition

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Ukraine drones show sanctions don’t clip Russia’s wings

Despite sanctions, Russia is able to continue to launch drones in Ukraine thanks to a supply of spare parts acquired abroad

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Rheinmetall unveils autonomous Mission Master UGV armed with Warmate combat drone

Rheinmetall adds tube-launched Warmate loitering UAV munitions to its modular Mission Master autonomous unmanned ground vehicle system

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Boeing Insitu awarded $390 million Blackjack and ScanEagle drone contract

Boeing subsidiary Insitu awarded more than $390 million for Blackjack and ScanEagle drone systems for the U.S. military, Canada, Poland and Oman

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Boeing Insitu ScanEagle drones sold to Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam

Boeing Insitu was awarded an almost $48 million contract for 34 ScanEagle unmanned air vehicles for Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Vietnam

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Lebanon receives 6 Scan Eagle drone systems from US

Lebanon received six Boeing Insitu Scan Eagle unmanned aerial systems from the US, the Lebanese Armed Forces and the US Embassy in Beirut said

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Ukraine signs agreement to procure Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced a deal has been signed to purchase Turkish Bayraktar TB 2 drones for the Ukrainian military.

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Israel’s Rafael and Aeronautics sign agreement to develop and manufacture advanced drones

Rafael and Aeronautics signed a 5-year agreement that involves joint marketing and sales of UAVs, first in Israel and expanding overseas

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