Insitu debuts ScanEagle3 UAS

Boeing subsidiary Insitu’s ScanEagle3 medium-sized unmanned aerial system (UAS) for commercial customers has global exportability, as the U.S. Department of State says it is not covered by U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR).

ScanEagle3 offers more payload capacity than its predecessor and is compatible with existing components such as INEXA Control, ICOMC2 ground control station software, and Insitu’s launch and recovery equipment.

Other enhancements include next-generation avionics, updated propulsion, and the same autopilot as RQ-21A Blackjack. ScanEagle3 is designed for pursuing FAA type certification in the U.S. National Airspace System (NAS). www.insitu.com

Raytheon to help develop drone-testing airspace corridor

The Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance is partnering with Raytheon to develop an airspace corridor in New York state to test advanced unmanned aircraft. Raytheon’s Intelligence, Information, and Services business will help plan, design, build, and support the state’s next-generation air traffic management system to safely test and manage drones.

The corridor will extend 50 miles (80km) west from Griffiss International Airport, one of seven Federal Aviation Administration-approved unmanned aircraft systems test sites in the U.S. Users can test drones and air traffic management technologies in real-world settings, generating data that will inform industry and regulators, advancing commercial use of drones.

Raytheon’s contribution will likely include its low-power, 1m2 active electronically scanned array (AESA) software-defined radar unit. Networked, the radar units can cover and control the low-altitude flights of smaller aircraft, a capability not possible with large radar systems. www.nuairalliance.org; www.raytheon.com; www.uascentral.com

Airbus Aerial, DroneBase partner for data services

Atlanta, Georgia-based aerial services business Airbus Aerial and Los Angles, California, drone operations company DroneBase are partnering to deliver multi-source aerial imagery and data from a single provider.

The partnership leverages Airbus Aerial’s investment in the automation of satellite, manned aviation, and drone data capture and analysis with DroneBase’s global network of professional drone pilots. Customers can single-source data covering one square meter to thousands of kilometers from drones, manned aircraft, or satellites to formulate a response to natural disasters or manage infrastructure. www.airbusaerial.com; www.dronebase.com

AACUS delivers cargo to US Marines

Boeing Co. Aurora Flight Sciences’ Autonomous Aerial Cargo Utility System (AACUS) achieved a milestone by delivering cargo to U.S. Marines at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, California.

The AACUS UH-1H helicopter’s autonomous flight transported 520 lb of water, gasoline, meals, ready-to-eat (MREs), replacement communications gear, and a packed cooler to demonstrate critical logistics support to Marines in need.

Developed under Office of Naval Research’s (ONR) Innovative Naval Prototype program, the AACUS helicopter flies autonomously, using onboard sensors, advanced computers, and intelligent algorithms to plan its trajectory and select landing sites in unmapped and hazardous environments.

The American Helicopter Society (AHS) recently selected Aurora’s AACUS program for its Howard Hughes Award in recognition of an outstanding improvement in fundamental helicopter technology. www.aurora.aero; www.vtol.org