Engility supports first UAV aerial refuelling
Engility teamed with the US Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System-Demonstration programme to support the recent first aerial refuelling of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) X-47B, the company announced on 11 June.
Engility provided various services for the demonstration, including software engineering to use GPS and inertial data to compute precision navigation information and send it to the UAV; as well as the mechanical design of the equipment and custom components installed on the tanker.
Engility provided power devices, antennas, cabling, high density cameras, custom circuit boards and sensors and radios for the tanker.
Tony Smeraglinolo, president and CEO, Engility, said: 'Engility and specifically the team at our Hollywood, MD, Engineering and Fabrication facility are proud to support the US Navy and this strategic unmanned aerial refueling programme. We are also proud to have been a part of this historic flight.
'Ultimately, the successful conclusion of the UCAS-D and Automated-Aerial-Refuelling technology testing programme will strategically extend the range and time aloft of our nation's unmanned aircraft fleet, providing critical mission support for our forces in different environments.'
More from Uncrewed Vehicles
-
Ready for the race: Air separation drone swarms vs. air defence systems
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.
-
Israel’s MALE UAVs ‘must adapt’ to Iranian-made air defences
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.
-
Hundreds more UAS sent to Ukraine forces with thousands more on the way
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.
-
AI and software companies selected for US Army Robotic Combat Vehicle subsystems
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.
-
DroneShield to improve software of DroneSentry-X C-UAS system under new contract
DroneSentry-X, a cross-vehicle compatible, automated 360° C-UAS detect and defeat device, can offer 360° awareness and protection using integrated sensors. According to its manufacturer, it is suitable for mobile operations, on-site surveillance and on-the-move missions.