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Unmanned Systems

Pentagon to Leverage Commercial R&D in Hybrid VTOL Aircraft for Logistics

By Brian Garrett-Glaser

Tuesday, January 28th, 2020

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Pentagon to Leverage Commercial R&D in Hybrid VTOL Aircraft for Logistics

Concept art of Sabrewing's hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft, called 'Rhaegal,' slated for FAA certification in 2023. (Sabrewing)

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Officials from the Pentagon and White House emphasized their support and interest in the ongoing development of revolutionary VTOL aircraft at the Transformative Vertical Flight conference last week. The new class of aircraft, which combine elements of helicopters and airplanes and use either hybrid or fully electric propulsion, are being developed by dozens of companies for use as commercial air taxis in traffic-congested cities. The military continues to express high-level interest in these aircraft, often referred…

Congress

SASC Cites Concern With Army’s sUAS Approach, Seeks Info On Plans To Scale Fielding

Senate defense authorizers are seeking more info from the Army on its plans for scaling and deploying small drone capabilities citing concern with the service’s current “fragmented and insufficient” approach. […]

SASC Bill Would Raise Amphib Requirement To 33 Ships

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s (SASC) fiscal year 2027 defense policy bill adds new provisions that would raise the Navy and Marine Corps’ minimum requirement for amphibious warships and extend […]

Army

Army Plans To Initiate ISV-Heavy Competition Later This Year, Official Says

The Army is planning to initiate its competition to build the Infantry Squad Vehicle (ISV)-Heavy in the fourth quarter of this year, a senior acquisition official has said. Jesse Tolleson, […]

Senate Authorization Bill Restricts Building Navy Warships Overseas With Limited Exception For Auxiliaries

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s (SASC) version of the FY 2027 defense policy bill looks to cut the ability for the Trump administration to buy foreign-made warships, but still allow […]