Create a free starter account, or log in.

Get access to four free articles per month, as well as our Decisive Edge Newsletters and Daily News Bulletin.

Email Address

Password

Forgot your password? Reset by clicking here

Create a Password

[[ req.met ? '✓' : '•' ]] [[ req.text ]]

Re-enter Password

Passwords do not match

First Name

Last Name

Country

Confirm your account

Please enter the four-digit pin below that has been emailed to you.

Didn't receive the pin yet?

This pin expires in 20 minutes.

[[ error ]]

By creating an account, you agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Stay informed with Shephard's award-winning journalism. Unlock unlimited access and in-depth analysis with a corporate or individual subscription.

Explore your options here

ArcticShark UAS ready for flight testing

3rd March 2017 - 11:30 GMT | by Shephard News Team

RSS

A new atmospheric data collection UAS called the ArcticShark is set to commence flight testing at Pendleton UAS Test Range.

The UAS will be owned by the US Department of Energy and managed by the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement (ARM) Climate Research Facility. It will be deployed in the Arctic equipped with instruments designed to record sophisticated measurements about Earth's atmosphere in order to help scientists better understand one of the most sensitive regions of the planet.

The UAS has a wingspan of 22ft, a gross take-off weight of 625lbs, and can fly at altitudes of up to 15,000ft.

Flight testing and pilot training of the ArcticShark at Pendleton is expected to take place almost daily throughout March. The UAS is scheduled to begin field research in Alaska starting in 2018.

Over the past twelve months the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) - which manages the ARM Facility - ArgenTech Solutions (AgTS), Pendleton UAS Range, and the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, have worked to obtain Federal Aviation Administration flight approvals and build the concept of operations for ArcticShark.

Jen Armstrong, vice president AgTS commercial services, said: 'We are pleased to provide programme development, flight approval expertise and safe operations support to PNNL for their class D operations. We are paving the way for the evolving integration of UAS into the National Airspace System and we're pleased to be assisting in those test objectives.'

Author

Shephard News Team

As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to Premium News and Defence Insight …

Read full bio

More from Uncrewed Vehicles

Jammer resistant drone designs spark search for countermeasures

The Russia-Ukraine conflict has driven another stage of evolution for drones and the counter measures to defend against them.
L3Harris launches Amorphous software for control of uncrewed platforms

The new Amorphous software is a universal controller that would allow a single operator to control a swarm of “thousands” of uncrewed systems, from drones to underwater platforms.
ideaForge unveils new UAVs at Aero India 2025

India UAV supplier ideaForge has launched the Netra 5 and Switch V2 drones at Aero India 2025, boasting of enhanced endurance, AI-driven autonomy and improved operational capabilities.
Shaping the future of defence: What 2025 holds for the global drone market

The UAV market is experiencing unprecedented growth, with innovations in technology and battlefield applications driving demand across military sectors. From the battlefields of Ukraine to NATO exercises and beyond, drones are transforming how wars are fought and supported.
Maris-Tech confirms customers signing up for Jupiter Drones codec and AI-powered system

Launched at AUSA in October, the company’s multi-stream video codec is attempting to bring a new lease of life to drone technology through its AI accelerator.
AUSA 2024: Quantum-Systems targets big 2025 with UAS developments

Quantum-Systems has been upgrading its UAS family, with new versions of the Vector, Reliant and Twister drones set for release throughout 2025.