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

Silent Falcon flies BLOS for NASA

25th October 2016 - 14:30 GMT | by Shephard News Team

RSS

Silent Falcon UAS Technologies and MicroPilot have conducted a number of demonstration flights of the Silent Falcon UAS as part of NASA’s Unmanned Aircraft System Traffic Management (UTM) system programme, MicroPilot announced on 20 October.

NASA’s UTM programme is researching prototype technologies that could develop airspace integration requirements for enabling safe, efficient low-altitude operations.

The ability for UAS to fly safely beyond line of sight (BLOS) is a critical element of safe flight within the UTM. In support of this, the Silent Falcon UAS flew a series of BLOS flights as part of the successful completion of the current phase of the programme.

MicroPilot’s autopilot system gives UAS the ability to fly independently BLOS while taking directions from the UTM.

John W Brown, Silent Falcon UAS Technologies president and CEO, said: ‘This project is of particular interest to us as we manufacture a long range, long endurance fixed wing UAS that is designed for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) applications.

‘Our systems regularly perform BVLOS missions in other countries and the UTM project is an important step in making safe BVLOS flight in the US national airspace a reality. We look forward to further participation as the project continues to move forward.’

Silent Falcon

Horizon

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.