Mon, Jan 18, 2010
Flights Demonstrate Multi-Mission Capability, TRL 7 Launch And
Recovery Readiness
The Aerosonde Mark 4.7 small unmanned aircraft system (SUAS)
has successfully completed a week of flight operations aboard the
Office of the Secretary of Defense's M-80 Stiletto Maritime
Demonstration Test Bed, AAI Corporation announced Thursday. AAI
conducted a series of Aerosonde Mark 4.7 SUAS flight tests at sea,
concluding with multiple successful launches and recoveries aboard
the Stiletto vessel.
The Stiletto shipboard trials established AAI's integrated
launch and recovery system at technology readiness level (TRL) 7
during multiple successful aircraft recoveries in a maritime
operational environment. The shipboard Aerosonde Mark 4.7 SUAS
includes the integrated launch and recovery system; the Mark 4.7
aircraft with enhanced, leading-edge wings; on-the-move navigation;
automatic takeoff and landing capability; and shipboard integration
to the command and control center. AAI's integrated, one-piece
launch and recovery system easily fits aboard small ships without
necessitating shipboard alterations.
AAI says the Aerosonde Mark 4.7 SUAS has a streamlined,
expeditionary footprint that requires a minimum crew and amount of
equipment overall. The Aerosonde Mark 4.7, AAI's entry for the
joint U.S. Navy and Marine Corps Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft
System (STUAS)/Tier II competition, was designed to operate from
confined areas on land and at sea. The system delivers unsurpassed
multi-mission capability to meet warfighter requirements. A single
Aerosonde Mark 4.7 aircraft provides both long-endurance
intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance using its combined
electro-optic/infrared payload, as well as simultaneous
beyond-line-of-sight communications relay.
"Our Aerosonde Mark 4.7 SUAS delivers powerful benefits for the
maritime services including long endurance and unmatched
multiple-payload flexibility with superior video and communication
relay capabilities," says AAI Division Vice President, Small
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Stephen Flach. "In addition, its
single-piece launch and recovery system enables the aircraft to
execute missions from even the smallest ships."
"We have been able to leverage our years of experience
designing, manufacturing, fielding, operating and supporting
unmanned aircraft systems to develop a highly adaptive system
suitable for multiple mission profiles," says AAI Vice President of
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Steven Reid. "Our Aerosonde Mark 4.7 SUAS
provides immense capability with the logistical and operational
flexibility of an expeditionary footprint."
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