A new civilian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) is being prepared for a 300km UAV flight across the North Sea between Norway and Scotland, it was announced on 1 September.
The flight is a joint effort between Singapore-based UAV fuel cell systems supplier Horizon Energy Systems (HES) and Scottish UAV developer RaptorUAS. US-based Northern Colorado Search and Rescue will be the first end-user of the UAV.
The fuel cell powering the Raptor E1 UAV has been designed to keep the aircraft airborne for over 12 hours, making it suitable for search and rescue operations across large areas of land or sea. More UAV flights with long endurance energy storage systems from HES have been planned for the coming weeks and months.
Taras Wankewycz, CEO, HES, said: 'We look forward to breaking new ground in the search and rescue arena. Long flight endurance enabled by fuel cells can make a significant difference in challenging field operations, and the difficult conditions in the North Sea make it an ideal proving ground.'
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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