Boeing has acquired
Frontier Systems Inc., developer of the A-160 Hummingbird and
Maverick unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Frontier’s platforms
and technologies add to Boeing’s portfolio and capabilities
in unmanned systems that include the Joint Unmanned Combat Air
System X-45, ScanEagle and other concepts under development. Terms
of the acquisition have not been disclosed.
“Frontier Systems is well known in the UAV field for its
innovative systems and technologies,” said Mike Heinz, vice
president and general manager of Boeing Phantom Works Integrated
Defense Advanced Systems.
“By enhancing our
ability to meet the diverse UAV needs of our customers, this
acquisition strengthens our position as a key player in the
unmanned systems market.”
The privately held Frontier Systems has about 70 employees and
was formed in 1991. Frontier is based in Irvine, Calif., and also
has operations in Victorville, Calif., for flight-test
operations.
“For years we’ve been looking for the right company
to take Frontier’s programs into production,” said Gale
Kerem, Frontier Systems executive vice president and chief
financial officer. “Boeing provides the perfect complement of
people and technology for further developing and producing the
Hummingbird and making it even more versatile and effective for a
wide variety of domestic and international markets.”
The A-160 Hummingbird, a vertical take-off-and-landing UAV, has
been designed to fly up to 2,500 plus nautical miles with 30 to 40
hour endurance. Its modular payload design can carry up to 1,000
pounds. The A-160 offers range and endurance unprecedented in the
history of helicopter UAV design. It will provide reconnaissance,
surveillance, target acquisition, communication relay, precision
re-supply, sensor delivery and eventually precision attack
capabilities.
The A-160’s unique characteristics address current and
emerging requirements of the U.S. armed forces, Department of
Homeland Security, and international military and security
organizations. Frontier also sells the Maverick UAV, a retrofitted
commercially available helicopter, to the U.S. Special Operations
Command. The Maverick UAV has also been used as a test bed for
A-160 technologies.
Boeing Phantom Works will complete development of the
Hummingbird and then transfer the program to Boeing Integrated
Defense Systems (IDS). Phantom Works recently transferred the Joint
Unmanned Combat Air System X-45 program to IDS.