Latest Federal & Government Contracting Companies' News Coverage
California Institute of Technology has opened a new facility to help further research efforts on drones, driverless cars, robotics and machine learning technologies. Caltech said Tuesday it established the Center for Autonomous Systems and Technologies to serve as a hub for university, industry and government researchers, such as NASA‘s Jet Propulsion Laboratory experts, to collaborate in efforts […] More
The U.S. Army has released a request for information to gather input on potential electronic warfare technology for unmanned aircraft systems. A FedBizOpps notice posted Oct. 3 stated the military branch seeks a Multi-Function Electronic Warfare system that can be mounted on the wing pylon of Class IV UAS such as the Gray Eagle platform. The Army aims to […] More
The California Air National Guard has deployed General Atomics-built MQ-9 unmanned aircraft systems to help the state’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection conduct mapping operations in Northern California. General Atomics said Monday MQ-9 is equipped with an intelligence and reconnaissance sensor suite that works to help firefighters on the ground obtain situational awareness data they need plan strategies […] More
FLIR Systems has received a $6.8 million order to manufacture pocket-sized unmanned aerial vehicles in support of the Australian army’s surveillance and reconnaissance missions. The military branch ordered Flir’s Black Hornet Personal Reconnaissance Systems for full operational deployment at the platoon and troop levels, FLIR said Tuesday. The company previously supplied Black Hornet PRS to the Australian army […] More
The White House is on track to complete new policies that aim to facilitate the sale of U.S.-built military unmanned aircraft systems to international customers and help U.S. drone manufacturers compete with Israeli and Chinese counterparts, Reuters reported Wednesday. The Trump administration also intends to relax international restrictions on U.S. drone exports through the renegotiation […] More
General Atomics‘ aeronautical systems business unit has transitioned the production line for the MQ-1C Gray Eagle to an extended-range variant of the unmanned aircraft system for the U.S. Army. The company said Tuesday it commenced developmental tests on the first four MQ-1C ER units and expects to begin follow-on operational test and evaluation activities in the spring of […] More
AeroVironment has begun to update its two small unmanned aircraft system offerings in an effort to increase the performance of both platforms in rugged and complex environments. The company said Monday Puma AE and Raven upgrades will include durability enhancements and new digital data link security tools designed for radio electronic warfare and cyber operations. “In […] More
The U.S. Navy has awarded AeroVironment a potential $2.6 million contract to continue the production tube-launched unmanned aerial vehicles and associated equipment. AeroVironment said Monday it will provide multiple Blackwing UAVs along with sensor payloads and refurbishment kits to the service branch. The company aims to deliver the initial batch of vehicles by May 2018 and complete all deliveries by November next year. […] More
Chris Pehrson, vice president for Defense Department strategic development at General Atomics’ aeronautical systems business, will serve as a guest speaker at Technology Training Corp.-hosted Unmanned Aircraft Systems East for Defense and Government symposium that will kick off Saturday, Nov. 7, in Washington, D.C. Pehrson is one of the 24 guest presenters who will discuss emerging […] More
Textron‘s AAI Corp.subsidiary has received a $41.9 million contract modification for the delivery of 36 Block III kits for the U.S. Army‘s Shadow tactical unmanned aircraft systems. The service branch obligated the full modification amount at the time of award from its fiscal 2017 other procurement funds, the Defense Department said Monday. AAI will perform work in Hunt Valley, Maryland, through Dec. […] More
Nigel Whitehead, BAE Systems chief technologist, has said he believes that directed energy weapons can be deployed aboard fighter aircraft in the not-too distant future, FlightGlobal reported Wednesday. Whitehead told reporters during his visit to Singapore that directed energy weapons should be able to beam energy precisely on one spot to disrupt targets such as aircraft, munitions […] More
The U.S. Air Force seeks information on the availability of directed energy weapons technology that can support an upcoming counter-unmanned aircraft system demonstration. The service branch said Tuesday its Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation Office will use data collected from the request for information as part of market research analyses under the Air Force Directed Energy […] More
