09 Dec 11. Patroller tests evaluate operational capabilities. Test flights of Sagem’s Patroller unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) have trialled a range of payloads and demonstrated an improved imaging chain, a company spokesperson told Jane’s . During the September to October test period at Istres Air Force Base in the south of France, the Patroller conducted 14 flights, which according to the spokesperson included the use of different electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) payloads and evaluated their ability to identify land and sea targets. (Source: Jane’s, IDR)
19 Dec 11. Robonic Ltd Oy (a subsidiary of Sagem, Safran group) has delivered its eighth Robonic Kontio (type MC2555LLR) pneumatic launcher to Cassidian, an EADS company, to be used to expand the company’s on-going target drone services globally. “This delivery of the eighth launcher to Cassidian is very important to Robonic as a follow-on delivery in series of deliveries that started seven years ago. We have an extended history of supporting the DT family of systems and will be optimizing this new pneumatic launcher to facilitate enhanced DT-drone presentations in parallel to retaining a fully flexible operational capability for Cassidian’s targets”, says Robonic managing director Juha Moisio. (Source: ASD Network)
19 Dec 11. Rockwell Collins is collaborating with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to develop an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) control and non-payload communications (CNPC) data link that will eventually enable unmanned aircraft to safely operate in the national airspace. As a team member in the three-year NASA UAS Communications Research Sub-Project, Rockwell Collins will work closely with NASA engineers and subject matter experts to define the waveform for the CNPC data link. The results of this collaboration will help industry and the Federal Aviation Administration develop the appropriate set of rules and requirements for reliable unmanned flight operations in the national airspace system.