What's next for the Pentagon after the Replicator programme?
Although the Replicator initiative has made several accomplishments, there are still multiple gaps to plug across the US Department of Defense (DoD) and its services.
UAV Navigation completes BLOS flight test
UAV Navigation has successfully completed a Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) flight test of a UAS weighing over 25kg, the company announced on 19 February.
The company demonstrated the safe operation of its automatic UAS in a flight in segregated airspace to 20km beyond visual range, while complying with Spanish aviation regulations. The flights took place on 14 and 15 January at the ATLAS centre near Jaen, under direction of Seville air traffic control and in collaboration with ATLAS and VITO, which is the final customer of the UAS.
The autopilot for these flights had over 50,000 flying hours and featured physical as well as logical redundancy. This was the first flight of its kind authorised and executed in Spain, and it marks an important step for integrating UAS in the country's airspace.
A detailed aeronautical safety study of the operation was carried out to obtain a special certificate of airworthiness and the flight authorisation. A description of the experimental flights to be executed, flight profiles, operational characteristics, conditions and limitations were also studied and documented to ensure flight safety. The pilots were also required to meet all current regulations, including a pilot's license, medical examination and completion of type certification on the UAS platform.
The UAS, weighing 45kg, was developed by UAV Navigation. It cruises at 130kmph and has a maximum operating altitude of 3,500m and range of 400km. It features a high performance, stabilised day/night camera and has advanced safety measures, including a transponder and a parachute.
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