Thu, Nov 06, 2008
T-Hawk Micro Air Vehicles Used For Battlefield
Reconnaissance
Honeywell has been given a $65 million US Navy contract to
produce 90 T-Hawk Micro Air Vehicle systems for battlefield
surveillance.
Weighing in at only 17 pounds and measuring merely 14 inches
across, the T-Hawk uses ducted fan propulsion. Small enough to be
carried in a soldier's backpack, the T-Hawk features a camera for
videoing enemy positions to a portable handheld terminal, enabling
reconnaissance of dangerous areas without putting soldiers at
risk.
The MAV systems will consist of two T-Hawks, one terminal, extra
parts, training for operation and maintenance, and field support,
the New Mexico Business Weekly detailed.
Honeywell Defense and Space President Ed Wheeler said, "Our
highly precise controls allow the T-Hawk to operate at very high
altitudes or just inches from the ground, providing unprecedented
hover and stare capabilities for enemy detection or other missions
in war zones."
The T-Hawk systems will be assembled by Honeywell in
Albuquerque. Deliveries are slated to start in the second quarter
of 2009 and continue to December 2009.
Already in use in Iraq by US troops, the T-Hawk is also
attracting the attention of domestic law enforcement officials. The
Miami Dade Police Department is currently evaluating a civilian
version of the T-Hawk for surveillance applications.
The US Army awarded a multi-year $11 million contract last
September to Honeywell for work upgrading the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior
helicopter.
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