17 Feb 12. Russian Ground Forces trial UAVs in winter conditions. The Russian Ground Forces trialled three mini-unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) during exercises at Alabino military base in the Moscow region in mid-February. The systems were selected by the military from the range of mini-UAVs currently on the Russian market. (Source: Jane’s, JDW)

24 Feb 12. Resource Group announced another major initiative in the aviation skills sector. Resource will be launching a new training division – ‘Resource UAS’. This new division will deliver foundation training for UAS (unmanned aerial systems) operators and sensor payload operators. The scope of the training will include Nano, Micro and MALE UAV Systems and also cover Payload Operators for both manned and unmanned aircraft platforms. Delivery will be by a combination of web based and classroom based ground school and practical training using a combination of an advanced mission simulator and live flying using representative vehicles.

28 Feb 12. Advanced Defense Technologies, Inc. has undertaken the development of the key “Seek and Avoid System” technology for ADTI’s next generation drones and UAVs. The new technology development will make the short and long range drones/UAVs more efficient and effective for military/homeland security applications and increase civilian safety especially for the commercial markets. The collaborative effort utilizes ADTI’s hardware and software engineers and scientists at Texas A&M University. The technology development will take advantage of ADTI’s expertise in small size antenna designs, beam steering technology and novel integration techniques to develop cost effective drone and UAV systems that incorporates seek and avoid technology. Large-scale proliferation of drone and UAV use is contingent upon adequate sense, detect, and avoidance capabilities that would prevent collisions with structures and other aircrafts. ADTI’s team is working to harness unprecedented intelligence; surveillance, reconnaissance, and communication systems to incorporate seek and avoid capabilities taking drone and UAV technology to a commercially viable level. (Source: Yahoo!/Marketwire)

29 Feb 12. World Surveillance Group Inc., a developer of lighter-than-air unmanned aerial vehicles and related technologies, has filed a United States patent application for an airship design and a method of controlling the airship based on its Argus One UAV. WSGI filed the U.S. patent application to protect its intellectual property in the unique airship design that is the foundation of the Company’s UAV research and development program. WSGI intends not only to improve and commercialize its mid-altitude Argus One airship, but to expand on its airship design to develop next generation UAVs with longer durations, higher altitudes and increased payload capacities, including the Stratellite™, a long endurance airship intended to operate in the lower stratosphere. The U.S. patent application is for an LTA unmanned, autonomous airship with automated control for individual modules for improved flight stability and aerodynamic control. The design features the ability to control the rigidity between each module and the ability to pivot. The modules are operated by microcontrollers based on aerodynamic requirements. The airship’s altitude, overall response and handling characteristics and flight control utilizes a system of ballonets contained within each individual module, thereby creating a dynamically adjustable airship. World Surveillance Group Inc. designs, develops, markets and sells autonomous, lighter-than-air UAVs capable of carrying payloads that provide persistent security and/or wireless communications solutions at low, mid, and high altitudes. WSGI’s airships, when integrated with electronics systems and other high technology payloads, are designed for use by government-related and commercial entities that require real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance or co