Also: NASA Armstrong, DART Aerospace, UAE Regulator And Archer, Uncrewed Aerial Logistics The Solar Impulse 2, a long-range experimental aircraft, crashed in the Gulf of Mexico when it lost power during an unmanned test flight on May 4, a report from the NTSB said. There were no fatalities or injuries. The NTSB said the aircraft suffered a loss of power before crashing into the ocean. It was completely destroyed. No one was on board. The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory and Northrop Grumman, has flown the XRQ-73, a hybrid-electric, unmanned experimental aircraft. The flight occurred at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. in April 226 as part of DARPA’s series hybrid electric propulsion aircraft demonstration (SHEPARD) program. The FAA has issued a proposed rule that would allow specific categories of critical infrastructure sites to apply for restrictions on drone operations around their facilities. The restrictions would be submitted and approved via a new FAA web portal. Approval will be based on safety or security criteria. Sixteen sectors would be eligible for restrictions, including energy production, transportation systems, chemical facilities, water treatment plants, and defense industrial complexes. All this — and MORE in today’s episode of Airborne-NextGen!!!
