18 mai 2023 | International, C4ISR
Space Force may seek new bidders for future deep-space radars
The service wants to see if any companies besides Northrop Grumman can meet its schedule for future phases of the Deep Space Advanced Radar Capability.
21 janvier 2020 | International, Aérospatial
Technical Failure or Unrealistic Expectations? Report Shows U.K. Police Drones Fall in Heavy Rains
Whether technical failure or simply unrealistic expectations, a new report published in the U.K. indicates that the DJI Matrice Series drones fall during heavy rains.
As reported by CNN, the U.K.'s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) found that 16 DJI Matrice 200 series drones crashed due to “technical failures” while flying in the rain.
This month's AAIB bulletin reports on one specific incident that took place in a flight over a sporting event:
The DJI Matrice 210 small unmanned aircraft was being operated commercially to record video footage of an outdoor athletics event. The pilot started to position the aircraft back towards the landing site due to an increase in the rainfall. The pilot then saw the aircraft“wobble” slightly and as it neared the landing site it flipped over before descending rapidly to the ground from a height of about 3 m (10 ft). No one was injured. During the accident flightthe aircraft had been operating at heights of up to about 30 m (100 ft) near to, and above people on the ground. This investigation reviewed other similar accidents and the risk of injury to people on the ground.
It's important to note that the professional pilot handled the situation correctly and according to protocol – and as a result, his aircraft was damaged but there were no injuries or issues with the spectators or participants in the event. The event began in light rain, but, as can happen in the U.K., a drizzle became a downpour.
In a statement to CNN, DJI reiterated that safety is a priority:
“The DJI Matrice 200 Series has been independently certified by a third party that it has an IP43 rating,” it said. “This certifies that ‘water falling as a spray at any angle up to 60° from the vertical shall have no harmful effect'. However, the M200 is not suitable, and should not, be operated in conditions or precipitation greater than those stated by the certification.
“All users of M200 series drones should refer to our current maintenance guidelines and safety information here to help manage their aircraft and maximise flight safety.”
The problem may not be as much about a “failure,” which implies the unexpected, as it is one of unrealistic expectations. Much of the advantage of an sUAS is in its small form factor. While the technical capabilities of drones have increased over the last several years, and commercial drones can now maintain stability in a wider range of environments, they aren't airplanes and they aren't designed to be flown in all weather conditions – including a downpour.
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1 juin 2020 | International, Naval
Exercise to unite four combatant commands to test homeland defenses for the first time
Geoff Ziezulewicz For the first time, four U.S. combatant commands are coming together this week for an exercise that simulates how the military would respond to an attack on its home turf. Headed by U.S. Northern Command, the four-day exercise began this week off the East Coast and also involves U.S. Space, Transportation and Strategic commands, according to NORTHCOM. The aircraft carrier Harry S. Truman strike group and its air wing will join Canadian fighter jets and Air Force F-15s in conducting intercepts against adversary aircraft during the exercise, which began Thursday and will wrap up Sunday. This week's exercise continues a long stint at sea for the Truman's crew. The ship left Norfolk in November for its third overseas cruise in the past four years. While the strike group's deployment began to wrap up this spring, it spent its time as a rapid-response force at sea instead of pierside in order to protect the crew from exposure to COVID-19. An Air Force B-1B bomber will be used as the enemy aiming to infiltrate U.S. airspace as well. Along the way, brass hope the exercise can strengthen the military's ability to communicate and share real-time information in such a scenario, according to NORTHCOM. U.S. Transportation Command is providing refueling tankers along the coast to support defending forces during the exercise, and Space Command is providing satellite communications and GPS. “Leading complex multi-combatant command operations across multiple domains demonstrates our readiness to defend our homeland regardless of COVID-19,” Air Force Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, the head of NORTHCOM, said in a statement. Correction: this article incorrectly stated when the Truman deployed last year. The carrier deployed in November. https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2020/05/29/exercise-to-unite-four-combatant-commands-to-test-homeland-defenses-for-the-first-time/
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30 mai 2023 | International, Autre défense
Zelenskiy urges South Korea to provide defence systems - report
Ukraine "desperately hopes" that South Korea will provide defensive military equipment such as anti-aircraft systems to fend off Russian attacks, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy was cited as saying in an interview with a South Korean newspaper.