Honeywell and Pipistrel have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore and develop aircraft technologies for the future urban air mobility market, Honeywell announced on 24 January.
The companies will integrate Honeywell avionics, navigation, flight control systems, connectivity and other products and services onto a future Pipistrel VTOL air vehicle to support fully autonomous operations in the future.
Urban air mobility refers to on-demand and automated passenger or cargo-carrying air transportation services, typically flown without a pilot.
For the project, Honeywell will leverage its experience in integrated avionics, flight control systems, systems integration, certification and manufacturing; while Pipistrel will utilise its capabilities in the design and development of advanced light aircraft to support the initial phases of a demonstration programme in early 2019. A schedule announcing flight demonstrations for the vehicle prototypes will be confirmed later in the year.
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.
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.
Funded by the country’s former president, the new C-UAS systems will be sent to the frontline where they have already been tested against Russian invading forces.
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