19 Nov 09. Raytheon Company achieved a key milestone for the U.S. Navy as the Tactical Control System (TCS) was deployed recently on the USS McInerney to support acounternarcotics mission in Central America as part of the MQ-8B Fire Scoutprogram. “This truly is a critical milestone on our road to success toward a fullfleet introduction on Littoral Combat Ships,” said Capt. Tim Dunigan, U.S. Navy. “Deploying Fire Scout aboard the USS McInerney will allow for the continued maturation of our system while increasing the warfighting effectiveness of the ship.” The U.S. Navy TCS system provides an opportunity to develop a low-risk, low-cost and effective common ground control system for full range of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) across multiple agencies. TCS is the only system that exhibits key enablers such as common system framework, open documented interfaces and air-certified software, while giving the government unlimited rights necessary to develop UAS control across the spectrum of missions, applications and air vehicles. “This is a huge step for the TCS program,” said Ravindra Nirgudkar, program manager for Raytheon’s Tactical Control System. “This deployment solidifies TCS’ position as the future ground control system not only for the U.S. Navy but also with other services.”
20 Nov 09. US Army to conduct Hellfire live-fire test from Sky Warrior. The US Army’s General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-1C Sky Warrior unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is expected to conduct a live-fire test of a Hellfire air-to-ground missile for the first time during a flight scheduled for 22 November, according to a senior army official. The Sky Warrior Quick Reaction Capability-2 (QRC-2) aircraft will release the laser-guided missile during a test at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California, according to Lieutenant Colonel Kevin Messer, the army’s Product Manager for the Medium-Altitude Endurance Product Office at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. (Source: Jane’s)
26 Nov 09. Technical glitches delay UCAS-D first flight. Technical issues uncovered in ground testing have pushed back the first flight of Northrop Grumman’s X-47B Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstrator (UCAS-D) to the first quarter of 2010. A maiden flight at Edwards Air Force Base, California, was scheduled for November 2009 but has been delayed due to propulsion, acoustic and engine start-up problems, the US Navy has disclosed. (Source: Jane’s)
26 Nov 09. ScanEagle ends 41-year fixed-wing gap for Canadian Navy
Boeing subsidiary Insitu has demonstrated its ScanEagle unmanned aerial system (UAS) aboard the Canadian Navy’s Kingston-class coastal defence vessel HMCS Glace Bay , the company announced on 24 November. It was the first launch and recovery of a fixed-wing aircraft from a Canadian naval vessel since 1968, when the service retired its only aircraft carrier, HMCS Bonaventure. (Source: Jane’s)
26 Nov 09. UK forces slated to begin Watchkeeper UAV training prior to Afghan deployment. UK forces selected to operate the incoming Watchkeeper tactical unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) have been slated to begin training on the system in March ahead of its deployment to Afghanistan towards the end of 2010. Addressing SMi’s Unmanned Aircraft Systems conference in London, Major Nathan Webber, battery commander with 32nd Regiment Royal Artillery, said he expected 57 (Bhurtpore) Battery to receive the first Watchkeeper (WK450) platform in June, although build-up training will start earlier. (Source: Jane’s)