European Aircraft Industry: Airbus' New Technology Can Track and Disrupt Rogue Drones - by Saul Loeb

The next time pranksters decide to fly their drone too close to an airport and put airplanes carrying hundreds of passengers at risk, security personnel may be able to avert disaster by using an anti-drone defense system. All they would have to do is use technology to remotely lock onto the flying robot, take control, and safely steer it from danger.

New technology from European aerospace giant Airbus is intended to do just that. It is pitched as a way to keep restricted airspace free of drones without having to go to extreme measures like shooting them down.
Airbus showed off a new drone-monitoring system this week at the annual Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The technology scrambles the wireless communications between drones and their owners, so that the authorities can then take control.

The new drone system uses a combination of infrared cameras, radio technology, and radar to pinpoint the location of drones at ranges as far away as 6.2 miles, according to Airbus. It then determines whether the drones may be flying in restricted airspace in addition to determining the pilot’s location to help law enforcement track him or her down.

Read more: Airbus' New Technology Can Track and Disrupt Rogue Drones - Fortune

Tourism - Cruise Industry: Cruise Technology of the Future: 5 New Ships with Big Ideas

This summer the cruise industry is continuing to break ground. With new technology, bigger entertainment and higher-end restaurant innovations, here’s how Viking, Royal Caribbean Princess, NCL, and MSC are competing among many “firsts” in the industry.

Viking announced that it will straddle both the ocean and river cruise markets. Starting in 2015, the Viking Star will cruise the ocean in Scandinavia, the Baltic and the Mediterranean. A second ship is scheduled for delivery in 2016, with the potential of four more ships built by Italian company Fincantieri. Viking aims to recreate the river cruising experience on the ocean: small ships of under 1,000 passengers; longer periods at shore with included shore excursions; beer and wine included with meals; and even free Wi-Fi..

It’s also no surprise that Princess Cruises’ new Royal Princess is getting regal treatment; the ship will be christened by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge (aka Kate Middleton) on June 13 in Southampton, England. The royal legacy of the ship is in no way the coolest feature. Most interesting is the Sea Walk, a new engineering feature that’s a glass-enclosed walkway cantilevered 128 feet above the ocean offering unobstructed views.

The Breakaway sails out of New York, but manages to bring the city attractions along with it. The Rockettes are the godmothers of the ship and the dancers have their own fitness class for cruisers. Entertainment is a big part of the mega-ship, including Broadway shows like Rock of Ages, as well as comedy shows, a jazz club, a nightclub, and a dueling piano bar. Entertainment is also a big part of the food offerings with restaurants  from Food Network celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian, and baked goods from “Cake Boss” Buddy Vlasto. Focusing on outdoor dining, the ship has a multi-restaurant outdoor area called the Waterfront.

Read more: Travel News You Can Use – Cruise Technology of the Future: 5 New Ships with Big Ideas

Alternative Energy Supplies - Wind Power: Harvesting Wind Energy With Airborne Wind Turbines

At just 610 metres above the ground, wind velocity is two to three times compared to ground level wind speeds. A NASA project is looking into how to harvest this resource with airborne wind turbines.

NASA aerospace engineer Mark Moore is part of the first federally-funded research effort to examine airborne wind harvesting platforms. While Moore says the concept isn't a clean energy panacea, it deserves consideration in a renewable energy mix. But why stop at 610 metres - further up even more potential energy is available. At 9 kilometres above the surface is the jet stream that generates wind speeds of up to 240 kilometres per hour.

"Instead of 500 watts per meter (for ground-based wind turbines), you're talking about 20,000, 40,000 watts per square meter," says Moore. "Offshore deployment of these airborne systems probably makes the most sense in terms of both airspace and land use, because there is little to no demand for low altitude flight over oceans 12 miles (19 to 20 km) offshore."

Note EU-Digest: "With a $100,000 grant from the federal government, Mark Moore, an aerospace engineer at the Systems Analysis Branch of NASA's Langley Research Center, is going to study different approaches to harvesting energy from the wind at high altitudes. Not 100 or 200 feet, but 10,000 or 30,000 feet. Moore plans to look at all of the different airborne wind turbine ideas that have been proposed and find a way to compare their strengths and weaknesses."


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