Also: Japanese eVTOL, C-130J Autonomy Program, Hybrid-Electric Propulsion, Helo Stability Tech Purdue University’s Unmanned Aerial Systems program is officially the Federal Aviation Administration’s latest pick to join the UAS-Collegiate Training Initiative (UAS-CTI), placing it among a limited group of institutions recognized for preparing students for careers in unmanned aviation. The FAA’s UAS-CTI program identifies colleges and universities whose curriculum aligns with federal standards governing drone operations within the National Airspace System. The Oregon Department of Aviation (ODA) published a white paper saying recent federal restrictions and guidance affecting foreign-manufactured UAS have triggered widespread operational disruption across state transportation agencies. Based on responses from 25 states, programs that relied heavily on Chinese DJI and Autel drones report the largest impacts, including fleet grounding or restrictions on federally funded projects, interruption of survey/mapping and construction workflows, and near-term funding gaps. Airbus Helicopters, through its subsidiary Survey Copter, has been selected by the European Defense Agency (EDA) for its multi-mission unmanned aircraft system (M2UAS) project. The strategic contract is part of a series of projects lasting 48 months, with a total budget of approximately $1.2 million. All this — and MORE in today’s episode of Airborne-NextGen!!!
