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Hunt Valley, Maryland — May 14, 2009 — AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that it has flown three of its small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS) simultaneously at the Smoky Hill Air National Guard Range. This demonstration with Flint Hills Solutions LLC took place in conjunction with the 2009 Kansas Unmanned Systems Symposium.
AAI’s Aerosonde Mark 4-series aircraft completed a fully autonomous flight from takeoff to landing, operating at 4,500 feet using an electro-optic (EO) payload. Spectators were able to view real-time data from the Aerosonde aircraft using AAI’s One System® Remote Video Terminal (OSRVT), which is in service currently with the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. The OSRVT is one of AAI’s unmanned aircraft system (UAS) networked and interoperable ground control technologies. The Aerosonde system also utilized the commercial version of AAI’s One System-compatible Expeditionary Ground Control Station during the flight demonstration to control and operate the aircraft.
Using a layered intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) approach, AAI also launched two lightweight, electric Orbiter™ aircraft into simultaneous operation with the Aerosonde aircraft. One Orbiter miniature UAS flew at 1,500 feet utilizing an EO payload, while another Orbiter aircraft flew at 1,000 feet with an infrared, or IR, payload.
AAI’s fleet of Mark 4-series SUAS is ideal for covert and long-endurance ISR applications. This fleet includes the newest in the Aerosonde Mark 4 series of SUAS, the Mark 4.7, which combines a low acoustic signature with launch and recovery flexibility suitable for the rigors of maritime and confined-area missions.
“This successful demonstration in Kansas highlights the flexibility of our small unmanned aircraft,” says Vice President of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Steven Reid. “The Aerosonde and Orbiter SUAS deliver robust performance and multi-mission capability, as well as the ease-of-use demonstrated by this flight’s autonomous takeoff and landing. Within our fleet of SUAS are systems that can meet any mission requirement.”
AAI announced in September 2008 that it had teamed with Israel-based Aeronautics Ltd., designer of the Orbiter system, to market the product. Aeronautics specializes in comprehensive defense solutions and the development, manufacture, and operation of unmanned platforms.
About AAI
AAI Corporation designs, produces, and supports aerospace and defense systems through its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, AAI Services Corporation, Aerosonde Pty Ltd, ESL Defence Limited, and Symtx, Inc. Its high-technology products and services include unmanned aircraft systems, training and simulation systems, automated aerospace test and maintenance equipment, armament systems, aviation ground support equipment, and logistical, engineering, and supply chain services. AAI Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.aaicorp.com.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems Corporation has been providing innovative solutions to the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for over 50 years. Known for its precision smart weapons, intelligent battlefield systems, surveillance systems, intelligence software solutions, aircraft control components, piston engines, armored vehicles and unmanned aircraft systems, Textron Systems includes AAI, HR Textron, Lycoming Engines, Overwatch Geospatial Systems, Overwatch Tactical Operations, Textron Defense Systems, and Textron Marine & Land Systems. Textron Systems Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.textronsystems.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) is a $14.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 28 countries with approximately 42,000 employees. The company leverages its global network of aircraft, defense and intelligence, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation. More information is available at www.textron.com.
Orbiter is a trademark of Aeronautics Ltd.
Aerosonde is a registered trademark of Aerosonde Pty Ltd.
T-Hawk is a trademark of Honeywell
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