OneWeb has signed its first commercial services contract with Hughes Network Systems for the U.S. Air Force Research Lab (AFRL). Hughes is the prime contractor on the project, and will work with OneWeb to demonstrate managed Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications services to connect AFRL sites in the Arctic
By Garrett Reim2021-05-06T19:52:00+01:00
The US Air Force’s (USAF’s) Skyborg autonomy core system flew for the first time aboard a Kratos UTAP-22 Mako tactical unmanned vehicle (UAV) at Tyndall AFB in Florida.
During a 2h 10min flight test on 29 April, the Skyborg system demonstrated several “foundational behaviours” necessary to characterise safe operation of the autonomous system, the USAF said on 5 May.
Source: US Air Force
Kratos’ UTAP-22 Mako demonstrates the Skyborg system’s capabilities
“The [autonomy core system] demonstrated basic aviation capabilities and responded to navigational commands, while reacting to geo-fences, adhering to aircraft flight envelopes, and demonstrating coordinated manoeuvring,” says the service. “It was monitored from both airborne and ground command and control stations.”
U.S.A.F. Research Lab Marks First Flight of Skyborg Automomous Teaming Aircraft Our Bureau 1366
Skyborg ACS launches aboard a Kratos UTAP-22 tactical unmanned vehicle at Tyndall AFB, Florida on April 29. @U.S.A.F.
The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory conducted the first flight of the Skyborg autonomy core system (ACS) aboard a Kratos UTAP-22 tactical unmanned vehicle at Tyndall AFB, Florida.
The ACS is the ‘brain’ of the Skyborg Vanguard program is to integrate full-mission autonomy with low-cost, attritable unmanned air vehicle technology to enable manned-unmanned teaming.
In the two-hours and ten minute flight performed on April 29, termed Milestone 1 of the Autonomous Attritable Aircraft Experimentation (AAAx) campaign, the ACS performed a series of foundational behaviors necessary to characterize safe system operation. The ACS demonstrated basic aviation capabilities and responded to navigational commands, while reacting to geo-fences, adhering to aircraft flight
By Garrett Reim2021-05-06T01:17:00+01:00
The US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has contracted Bell to research a high-speed vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
The laboratory granted Bell a $950,000 contract to conduct applied research into the concept, it disclosed in an online notice posted on 28 April.
Source: Bell and US Patent & Trademark Office
Diagram from Bell’s ‘Tiltrotor aircraft having rotary and nonrotary flight modes’ patent application published in 2017
Bell acknowledged the contract, but declined to comment further. The AFRL did not respond to multiple requests for comment.
Little else was disclosed in the contract notice titled “Bell’s High Speed VTOL (HSVTOL)”.
Press release content from PR Newswire. The AP news staff was not involved in its creation.
Hughes and OneWeb to Demonstrate Low Earth Orbit Service in Arctic Region for U.S. Air Force Research Lab
May 5, 2021 GMT
Hughes and OneWeb announced their selection by the U.S. Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to demonstrate managed LEO satellite communications (SATCOM) services to connect the Arctic region to sites around the globe.
Hughes and OneWeb announced their selection by the U.S. Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) to demonstrate managed LEO satellite communications (SATCOM) services to connect the Arctic region to sites around the globe.