US Navy foresees an uncrewed future for its surface and underwater fleet
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
Vanilla Aircraft has successfully completed the first flight of its VA001 ultra-long endurance Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), the company announced on 2 March.
The 36ft wingspan UAS has been designed to fly missions for up to ten days. The tested aircraft, N240HR, launched with an 18lb simulated payload and fuel for a 24-hour flight. It flew autonomously in altitudes up to 6,000ft above sea level before it landed, meeting all its test objectives.
Neil Boertlein, co-founder and chief engineer, VA001 project, said that this maiden flight test validated the design and capabilities of the VA001. More flight tests are being planned with Vanilla Aircraft customers to reach the aircraft's full endurance, altitude and payload capabilities.
Peter Bale, head of business development and strategy, Vanilla, said: 'In operation, the VA001’s unmatched range and endurance will greatly reduce the operating cost and man-power burden to provide persistent aerial coverage, and enable new missions previously beyond the capabilities of mid-sized UAS.'
The service has been conducting various procurement and development efforts to integrate unmanned surface and underwater vehicles into its inventory.
Tekever has manufactured the AR3, AR4 and AR5 UAS with all systems sharing common electronics and software architecture, which has enabled the reuse of ground segment elements within the new ARX UAS.
As the dynamics of aerial combat rapidly evolve, Chinese scientists have engineered a sophisticated air separation drone model that can fragment into up to six drones, each capable of executing distinct battlefield roles and challenging the efficacy of current anti-drone defences such as the UK’s Dragonfire laser system.
Advancements in air defence technologies have begun to reshape aerial combat dynamics in the Middle East, as illustrated by recent events involving the Israeli Air Force and Hezbollah.
Both sides of the Russia-Ukraine war have been using UAS for effective low-cost attacks, as well as impactful web and social media footage. Thousands more have now been committed to Ukrainian forces.
The US Army has intentions to develop light, medium and heavy variants of the Robotic Combat Vehicle (RCV) as part of the branche’s Next Generation Combat Vehicle family.