Featured UAVs News of the Month:
National Oceanic & Athmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Partners
conduct first successful unmanned aircraft hurricane observation
by flying through Ophelia
Sept. 16, 2005 — Hurricane researchers at the NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory in Miami , Fla., marked a new milestone in hurricane observation as the first unmanned aircraft touched down after a 10-hour mission into Tropical Storm Ophelia, which lost its hurricane strength Thursday night. The aircraft, known as an Aerosonde, provided the first-ever detailed observations of the near-surface, high wind hurricane environment, an area often too dangerous for NOAA and U.S. Air Force Reserve manned aircraft to observe directly.
Aerosonde unmanned aerial vehicle being released from its transport vehicle on the runway at the NASA Wallops flight Facility, in Wallops Island, Va.,
to fly into and take measurements of Tropical Storm Ophelia on Sept. 16, 2005 - Photo courtesy of NASA
"It's been a long road to get to this point, but it was well worth the wait," said Joe Cione, NOAA hurricane researcher at AOML and the lead scientist on this project. "If we want to improve future forecasts of hurricane intensity change we will need to get continuous low-level observations near the air-sea interface on a regular basis, but manned flights near the surface of the ocean are risky. Remote unmanned aircraft such as the Aerosonde are the only way. Today we saw what hopefully will become 'routine' in the very near future."
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NOAA's partners in this effort include the Aerosonde company, which designed and operates the aircraft, and NASA Goddard's Wallops Flight Facility , located on Virginia's Eastern Shore, which houses the U.S. base for Aerosonde North America and served as the departure and landing location for this historic flight. The Aerosonde hurricane project is funded by NASA and NOAA Research in order to test this promising new observational tool.
"The concept of the Aerosonde as a small, robust unmanned autonomous vehicle, or AUV, arose directly from our need for observations in dangerous areas such as the hurricane surface layer," said Greg Holland, president of Aerosonde North America and one of the Aerosonde originators. "I am particularly grateful to the hard work by Aerosonde staff and the support of NOAA and NASA that has now made this possible."
The Aerosond was launched at about 7:30 a.m. EDT on Friday and returned at about 5:30 p.m. "in pristine condition," according to Aerosonde North America.
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NOAA satellite image of Tropical Storm Ophelia taken on Sept. 16, 2005, at 9:15 a.m. EDT,
as the storm made its way into the Atlantic after battering the southeastern United States as a
Category One hurricane. It was downgraded Thursday night. - credit NOAA
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WP-33 ORION - Picture provided and copyrighted http://www.aoc.noaa.gov
Gulfstream IV - Picture provided and copyrighted http://www.aoc.noaa.gov
WC-130H - Picture provided and copyrighted by US Air Force
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While the successful use of NOAA's WP-3D Orion , its Gulfstream-IV aircraft and the U.S. Air Force Reserve's WC-130H aircraft have been important tools in the arsenal to understand tropical cyclones, detailed observations of the near-surface hurricane environment have been elusive because of the severe safety risks associated with low level manned flight missions. The main objective of the Aerosonde project addresses this significant observational shortcoming by using the unique long endurance and low-flying attributes of the unmanned Aerosonde observing platform, flying at altitudes as low as 500 feet. Tropical Storm Ophelia provided the perfect test case for using Aerosondes as it was a minimal hurricane within flight range of the Wallops Flight Facility.
The Aerosonde platform that flew into Ophelia was specially outfitted with sophisticated instruments used in traditional hurricane observation, including instruments such as mounted Global Position System (GPS) dropwindsondes and a satellite communications system that relayed information on temperature, pressure, humidity and wind speed every half second in real-time. The Aerosonde also carried a downward positioned infrared sensor that was used to estimate the underlying sea surface temperature. All available data were transmitted in near-real time to the NOAA National Hurricane Center and AOML, where the NOAA Hurricane Research Division is located.
The environment where the atmosphere meets the sea is critically important in hurricanes as it is where the ocean's warm water energy is directly transferred to the atmosphere just above it. The hurricane/ocean interface also is important because it is where the strongest winds in a hurricane are found and is the level at which most citizens live. Observing and ultimately better understanding this region of the storm is crucial to improve forecasts of hurricane intensity and structure. Enhancing this predictive capability would not only save the U.S. economy billions of dollars, but more important, it could save many lives.
Accomplishments from this first flight include detailed documentation of an unsampled region of the hurricane while simultaneously providing the NOAA National Hurricane Center with real-time near surface wind and thermodynamic data from within Tropical Storm Ophelia. In addition, detailed comparisons between in-situ and satellite-derived observations also will be possible. It is also envisioned that this unique data could ultimately be used to help initialize and verify both operational and research-oriented numerical simulations.
NOAA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation's coastal and marine resources.
Relevant Web Sites
NOAA Aerosonde Project Update
NOAA Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory
NOAA Hurricane Research Division
Don't miss some fantastic pictures at: http://www.hurricanehunters.com/photo.htm
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Cyber Defense Successfully Tests Groundbreaking Propulsion System
For Mid Altitude Airships (MAA)
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sep 01, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cyber Defense Systems, Inc. (OTCBB:CYDF),a designer and developer of next generation unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV''s) and an operating subsidiary of Proxity, Inc. (Pink Sheets: PRXT), today announced the introduction and successful testing of a revolutionary new propulsion system. Cyber Defense''s propulsion systems for the Mid Altitude Airships ("MAA") SA 90 being built by Techsphere Systems International is designed to maintain geo-stationary position at a cruise altitude of up to 25,000 feet. The SA 90 under development is a semi spherical airship with the four engine CyberPOD(TM) propulsion system is designed for continuous operations 24 hour per day for a maximum of 2 days on station.
Picture provided Cyber Defense Systems
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A critical subassembly of the propulsion system is the pylon assembly developed for the MAA program. This system incorporates an optimized large diameter propeller for the high altitude, low specific thrust airship conditions. The support structure, mounting system, and articulating prop-drive has been analyzed extensively by finite element methods. A detailed forced harmonic life analysis of the structures attached to the semi-rigid structure has been performed, indicating a long life capability.
The 18-ft diameter custom propeller has been designed to operate efficiently for both MAA and High-altitude Airship ("HAA") M.A.R.S.(TM) Airship applications. Currently this propeller is machined from aluminum bar-stock, but the production-released version of the MAA and HAA will utilize light-weight composite blades of similar aerodynamic design.
"We are excited to introduce what we feel is an advanced airship propulsion system currently unavailable in the marketplace today," said Billy Robinson, CEO of Cyber Defense Systems. "This new system will enable a heavier payload, will operate longer and more efficiently, and will be able to withstand severe weather conditions more effectively," added Mr. Robinson.
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About Cyber Defense Systems
Cyber Defense Systems, Inc. is designing and building a new generation of UAV''s. Cyber Defense also has the global government and military marketing rights to Techsphere Systems International LLC Spherical and Semi-spherical airships. Cyber Defense is currently marketing the airships and their CyberBug(TM) UAV''s to various branches of the U.S. government and U.S. allies as multi-use platform vehicles capable of deployment in surveillance and communication operations. Cyber Defense Systems, Inc. http://www.cduav.com (OTCBB: CYDF) is an operating subsidiary of Proxity, Inc. (Pink Sheets: PRXT).
About Techsphere Systems International
Techsphere Systems International, LLC, located in Atlanta and Columbus, GA, is the manufacturer of low, mid and high altitude airships. Together with their teaming companies, Techsphere will design and build unique airship platforms for use in many areas including surveillance, the military and wireless communications. The current spherical airship design holds the world altitude record at over 20,000 feet. http://www.techsphere.us
About Proxity
Proxity, Inc. is a developmental holding company specializing in the deployment and marketing of security protection technology and government contract fulfillment. With 18,750,000 shares in CYDF, Proxity is the Company''s majority shareholder. Proxity seeks to acquire and develop security technology. The Company plans to enter into teaming and exclusive and nonexclusive marketing and distribution agreements with products developed for commercial, military and homeland defense. http://www.proxity.com
This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements appear in a number of places in this release and include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things: (i) the Company''s financing plans; (ii) trends affecting the Company''s financial condition or results of operations; (iii) the Company''s growth strategy and operating strategy; and (iv) the declaration and payment of dividends. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company''s ability to control and those actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.
SOURCE: Cyber Defense Systems, Inc.
For further information, please contact:
Cyber Defense Systems, Inc.
Billy Robinson, 727-577-0878
[email protected]
or
TTC Group, Inc.
Victor Allgeier, 212-227-0997
[email protected]
or
Techsphere Systems, LLC
Mike Lawson, 404-446-2203
[email protected]
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ONERA & DGA: Mini-UAV competition heads into home stretch:
20 university teams face off in a European first
Châtillon, August 31, 2005 – The final phase in the competition by university teams to develop mini-UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) will take place in the “combat village” at the military base in Mourmelon (near Reims in eastern France from September 12 to 15. The competition is funded by French defense procurement agency DGA, and organized by national aerospace research center ONERA. Because of the demanding specifications for these “mini-drones”, especially the ability for autonomous flight in urban zones, this event marks a first for Europe.
Building on various research efforts concerning miniature UAVs, in late 2002 ONERA and DGA started to organize a competition that would be open to teams from universities and engineering schools in France and around the world. The assigned goal was to develop a UAV spanning no more than 70 centimeters (about 28 inches), capable of flying in an urban environment.
In addition to stimulating research and innovation in mini-UAVs, this event will help evaluate the technical effectiveness of different concepts, while bolstering collaboration between academia, research and industry.
A total of 20 teams were selected, comprising both French and foreign students, and 18 of these teams were each given 40,000 euros by the DGA. They will present the results of nearly three years of R&D to a jury comprising representatives of the DGA, ONERA and industry, in both a static demonstration and an operational flight test. Only the media and selected official guests will be able to witness these tests.
The flight test is based on a scenario involving the forward advance of an infantry or specialized unit in a damaged urban zone. The unit has to contend with sharpshooters, hidden enemy troops, barricades and debris that prevent vehicles from advancing. The UAV(s) deployed by the unit should help determine routes for the unit to move forward, which means detecting and locating any potential barriers, as well as the areas exposed to direct enemy fire.
For furhter information, please visit: http://www.onera.fr
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Aerosonde awarded USAF Weatherscout contract
6 September 2005 - International UAV manufacturer Aerosonde has been awarded a Foreign Comparative Testing contract worth almost US$700,000 by the US Air Force (USAF) to undertake trials to meet weather reconnaissance requirements for tropical storms as well as military targeting and training.
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According to the USAF, the addition of the weather reconnaissance data is expected to greatly enhance weather situational awareness in data sparse and data denied areas. It should also improve predictive battlespace awareness via the new inputs to weather forecast models, specifically, resulting in more accurate tropical cyclone and weapon system performance forecasts.
Scheduled to commence later this month, the initial trials will be at Aerosonde's North American operations site at the NASA Wallops Island facility, followed by further trials in an operational environment from Guam in the Western Pacific.
The trials will evaluate weather sensors and aircraft performance, compared to requirements, and will assess the Aerosonde's ability to improve forecast accuracy by disseminating observations into numerical weather model databases.
The UAVs will be operated and maintained by Aerosonde. The Guam trials will mark a return to the area after a five year gap. In 2000, Aerosonde flew a series of meteorological observations sponsored by the Japanese Frontier Research System for Global Change in convective weather in a region 200 km south of Guam.
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In The Eye - Digital image © Jon Becker, Aerosonde Pty Ltd
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Dr Greg Holland, President Aerosonde North America, said "the Aerosonde aircraft was initially designed as a meteorological observation system, and we believe its outstanding record in this role over many years was a key to winning the Weatherscout contract."
In the meteorological role, the current Mk 3 Aerosonde has the capability to undertaken overnight missions, allowing extended monitoring of weather events. Data can be provided in near real time to weather authorities by worldwide satellite communications.
For further information, please contact:
Kate Wright - Company Secretary
Aerosonde Pty Ltd
Ph: +61 3 9562 2622
Email: [email protected]
Peter Bale - Manager
Aerosonde North America Inc
Ph: +757 854 4618
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://www.aerosonde.com
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Cyber Defense, Techsphere, Sierra Nevada and 21st Century
Test SA 60 for Future Disaster Relief Efforts
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., Sep 21, 2005 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Cyber Defense Systems, Inc. (OTCBB: CYDF), a designer and developer of next generation unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV''s) and an operating subsidiary of Proxity, Inc. (Pink Sheets: PRXT), today announced a successful test launch of the revised multi engine SA 60. Cyber Defense Systems, Inc. (Cyber), Techsphere Systems International (TSI), Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), and 21st Century Airships (21st Century), the developers of this technology, successfully flew the next generation four engine SA 60. The airship was put through a series of in-flight maneuvers testing the flight characteristics of this unique new system. The companies demonstrated the SA 60 in Toronto, Canada from the 11th of September through the 16th. The SA 60 has already broken the world''s high altitude record set in 2003 and utilizing airships as a communications platform is the next achievable milestone for the team. Tests with various developmental communications technologies have shown systems could be quickly installed on the TSI airship line and could be used to provide emergency communications systems that could be deployed to disaster areas.
The recent Hurricane Katrina in the Gulf Coast demonstrates the need for a quickly deployed communications system to both coordinate rescue and security operations. After testing some of the communications packages the team plans to utilize these technologies on current airships for future deployment, such as the recent Gulf coast disaster. "Cyber, TSI, SNC and 21st Century are excited to demonstrate airship and communications improvements that could be utilized in the future," commented Cyber CEO Billy Robinson. "As additional uses of our airships are recognized the vast array of benefits in many different markets will be further reinforced."
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"A state of the art wireless communications systems such as the Tacticomp(TM) recently developed by SNC will allow for immediate audio and visual communications on the SA 60. We believe this system along with some recently developed global communications systems will provide the airship team with a unique system that will save lives as well as provide immediate communications capabilities in disaster situations," said Mike Lawson President of TSI.
According to Jon Burgoyne, SNC''s Executive Vice President, "The natural disaster caused by Hurricane Katrina left New Orleans and much of the Gulf Coast region without communications infrastructure to support relief operations. Destruction of cell phone towers, first responder tactical radio repeaters and power disruptions created a communications vacuum that severely hindered search and rescue operations. Our team''s airship provides an ideal platform for hosting a combination of tailor-made payload suites for overcoming this type of communications infrastructure loss."
About Cyber Defense Systems:
Cyber Defense Systems, Inc. is designing and building a new generation of UAV''s. Cyber Defense also has the global government and military marketing rights to airships manufactured by Techsphere Systems International. Cyber Defense is currently marketing the airships and their CyberBug(TM) UAV''s to various branches of the U.S. government and U.S. allies as multi-use platform vehicles capable of deployment in surveillance and communication operations. http://www.cduav.com
About Proxity:
Proxity, Inc. is a developmental holding company specializing in the deployment and marketing of security protection technology and government contract fulfillment. With 18,750,000 shares in CYDF, Proxity is the Company''s majority shareholder. Proxity seeks to acquire and develop security and marketing technology. The Company plans to enter into teaming and exclusive and nonexclusive marketing and distribution agreements with products developed for government contracting, internet, commercial, military and homeland defense. http://www.proxity.com.
About Techsphere Systems International:
Techsphere Systems International, located in Atlanta and Columbus, GA, is the licensed manufacturer of airships developed by 21st Century Airships Inc. Together with their teaming companies, Techsphere will design and build unique airship platforms for use in many areas including surveillance, the military and wireless communications. The current spherical airship design holds the world altitude record at over 20,000 feet. http://www.techsphere.us
About 21st Century Airships Inc.
21st Century Airships Inc., located in Newmarket, Ontario, Canada is a Research and Development company for lighter-than-air crafts. Founded in 1988, its objective is to improve traditional airship technology and develop modern airships for various applications. The company''s R&D activities have resulted in a considerable number of significant inventions and patents. http://www.21stcenturyairships.com
About Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is a fast-growing research, development and manufacturing company that provides leading edge Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Network-centric communications technologies on multiple platforms ranging from soldier-based to small and large manned/unmanned aircraft. SNC also specializes in the design and production of defense electronics products in the fields of Instrumentation, Test and Training (ITT), Electronic Warfare (EW), Air Traffic Control and Automatic Landing Systems (ATCALS), Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) and Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Networking (C4N). SNC is a $300M+ company with a corporate office based in Reno, Nevada and does business with all branches of the U.S. DoD, as well as with certain Government agencies. Sierra Nevada Corporation owns the SA-60 Airship that flew for the recent Navy test flights and holds the exclusive integration contract rights for government end users of Techsphere''s airships. http://www.sncorp.com
This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements appear in a number of places in this release and include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things: (i) the Company''s financing plans; (ii) trends affecting the Company''s financial condition or results of operations; (iii) the Company''s growth strategy and operating strategy; and (iv) the declaration and payment of dividends. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company''s ability to control and those actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.
Predator UAS Family Achieves 150,000 Flight Hours
Over Two-Thirds of Total Hours Spent in Combat
SAN DIEGO – September 19, 2005 -- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft and high resolution surveillance and radar imaging systems, today announced that the Predator® unmanned aircraft system (UAS) family achieved a milestone of 150,000 flight hours last month, with over two-thirds (100,000 hours) of that time spent in combat. Predator Series aircraft are currently flying more than 5,000 hours a month and continue to maintain the highest operational readiness rates in the U.S. inventory.
© Copyright 2003 General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Incorporated. All rights reserved.
“The Predator Series of unmanned aircraft systems had made a significant impact on the global war on terrorism, providing persistent ISR and full-mission capability to military users and decision-makers around the world,” said Thomas J. Cassidy, Jr., president, Aircraft Systems, Group, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. “Now with an experience base of more than 150,000 flight hours, no other UAS manufacturer can match the combat-proven, unparalleled performance and exceptional reliability of the Predator family.”
Predator, the company’s flagship UAS, has been operational in every U.S. conflict since 1995. Since its development in 1994, Predator’s capabilities have evolved rapidly, with the Predator Series now including a variety of additional aircraft systems, including Altus®, I-GNAT®, Predator B, Altair®, Army I-GNAT ER and Warrior™. Predator Series aircraft are in constant daily operations supporting the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Government, NASA, NOAA, Italian Air Force, Turkish Army and other customers and have been deployed in world trouble spots on five continents, including operations in the Balkans, Iraq and Afghanistan.
GA-ASI is the prime contractor for the Predator Series, with a combined total of some 180 aircraft built and operational. Recently, the company also significantly expanded its work with the U.S. Army with the first phase award of a procurement contract for the Extended Range Multi-Purpose (ER/MP) UAV Program. In addition, GA-ASI was just awarded the first Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection (CBP) unmanned aircraft system procurement contract. As a result of both these recent contract wins, GA-ASI is currently seeking to fill a variety of positions at its San Diego, Gray Butte, El Mirage, Adelanto and Creech Air Force Base facilities. Qualified applicants are invited to attend the company’s upcoming Job Fair, which will be held at its Rancho Bernardo facility on September 22nd from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and on September 24th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For more information, please see http://www.uav.com/jobfair/.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of privately held General Atomics, provides comprehensive solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. The company’s Aircraft Systems Group is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely operated aircraft (ROA) systems, including the Predator UAS series, and provides pilot training and support services for UAS field operations. The Reconnaissance Systems Group designs, manufactures and integrates the Magnum (Raptor View) high-resolution EO/IR and Lynx® SAR/GMTI sensor systems for both manned and unmanned aircraft. Leading the industry to new levels of performance, reliability, and operational capability since its establishment in 1993, the company has expanded the acceptance and application of unmanned aircraft systems within the United States and among allied forces around the world. GA-ASI is committed to providing immediately deployable transformational technology for military operations, weapons systems and civil missions.
For more information, please visit www.uav.com.
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General Atomics Aeronautical Systems' Altair
Receives FAA's First Commercial UAS Airworthiness Certificate
Experimental Certificate Opens Door to New Applications for Unmanned Aircraft
SAN DIEGO – September 28, 2005 -- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft and high resolution surveillance and radar imaging systems, today announced that its Altair® high-altitude long endurance (HALE) unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has received the nation’s first experimental airworthiness certificate issued for a UAS by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), providing greater flexibility for the aircraft to operate in the National Airspace System (NAS).
“Operating an FAA-certified unmanned aircraft in civil airspace offers great potential for the technological advancement of scientific and commercial research, while also providing our nation with the operational flexibility to conduct certain homeland security missions,” said Thomas J. Cassidy, Jr., president, Aircraft Systems Group, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. “This achievement would not have been possible without two key supporters: NASA Dryden Flight Research Center [DFRC] in the development and operational advancement of Altair and the Access 5 Project’s leadership in working with the FAA and the UAV National Industry Team [UNITE] on solutions to allow for UAS operations in the NAS. The efforts of these supporters and the FAA’s early commitment to expand access to the NAS made this certification a reality.”
Today Altair routinely operates in NAS under a national Certificate of Authorization (COA) which allows it to fly in restricted airspace during takeoff and landing before quickly ascending to altitudes high above commercial air traffic. Under its new one-year experimental certificate, Altair will not only be able to fly at higher altitudes, but also expands its geographic operations. Similar to a COA, an UAS experimental certificate contains certain conditions that must be met to ensure a level of safety equivalent to manned aircraft operations in the NAS. This includes “good weather” conditions and a requirement for a pilot and observer, both of whom may either be on the ground or in an accompanying “chase” plane. While COAs are issued to the customer (e.g. NASA, NOAA), the experimental certificate has been issued directly to GA-ASI, providing it with the opportunity to use Altair for company purposes such as experimental flight testing, marketing demonstrations and crew training.
The process engaged for the issuance of the experimental certificate is part of the Access 5 Project’s four-step plan designed to develop UAS systems, infrastructure and regulations that will enable routine UAS operations in civil airspace for emerging commercial and civil applications. Steps one and two are currently funded by NASA. Specifically, step one addresses access and operations of UASs above 43,000 feet and involves identifying an experimental application and certification process. Step two addresses UAS access and operations above 18,000 feet and identifies a type certification basis for classifying UASs.
“The formation of the Access 5 Project/UNITE alliance marked an important moment in history as it has positively affected the evolution of the aerospace industry throughout the world. The pledge of time and resources by government and industry to the Access 5 vision has enabled this nation to issue its first experimental certificate,” stated Dave Buis, co-lead of the Access 5 Project and industry director of UNITE. “The U.S. must remain committed to this effort so that emerging markets, jobs and national security benefits can be realized in our lifetime.”
Altair, a high-altitude version of Predator® B, was specifically designed for scientific and commercial research missions that require high-altitude endurance, reliability and increased payload capacity. Built in partnership with NASA’s DFRC for its Environmental Research Aircraft and Sensor Technology (ERAST) program, it has been operational since 2003 with NASA and NOAA. Featuring an 86 ft. wingspan and 3,000 lb. fuel capacity, Altair can fly above 52,000 feet and remain airborne for over 30 hours. It is configured with a fault-tolerant dual-architecture flight control system, triple redundant avionics and a Honeywell turbo prop engine for high reliability. To ensure responsive to air traffic advisements during flights in the NAS, Altair also has an air traffic control relay and will have an automated collision avoidance system.
“General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ receipt of an experimental airworthiness certificate for Altair is a significant advancement for unmanned aircraft systems development,” said Chris Jennison, project manager, Altair missions, NASA’s Dryden Flight Research Center. “GA-ASI and the entire UAS community can be proud of this breakthrough, bringing the day closer when the commercial and scientific use of this kind of aircraft is ordinary and routine."
The experimental certificate is the latest addition to Altair’s growing list of “firsts,” which include being the first UAS to demonstrate surveillance with a 360-degree maritime surface search radar; fly from Southern California to Alaska; fly above the Arctic Circle with over-the-horizon control; be integrated and operated in Canadian National Air Space with over-the-horizon control; carry high value scientific instruments for ocean and atmospheric research conducted by NOAA and NASA; and monitor forest fires adjacent to the Alaska pipeline.
About the Partners
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI), an affiliate of privately held General Atomics, provides comprehensive solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. The company’s Aircraft Systems Group is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable remotely operated aircraft (ROA) systems, including the Predator UAS series, and provides pilot training and support services for UAS field operations. The Reconnaissance Systems Group designs, manufactures and integrates the Magnum (Raptor View) high-resolution EO/IR and Lynx® SAR/GMTI sensor systems for both manned and unmanned aircraft. Leading the industry to new levels of performance, reliability, and operational capability since its establishment in 1993, the company has expanded the acceptance and application of unmanned aircraft systems within the United States and among allied forces around the world. GA-ASI is committed to providing immediately deployable transformational technology for military operations, weapons systems and civil missions.
For more information, please visit www.uav.com.
The Dryden Flight Research Center is NASA's premier installation for aeronautical flight research and is chartered to research, develop, verify and transfer advanced aeronautics, space and related technologies for atmospheric flight operations. A tenant organization at Edwards Air Force Base, the center flies a variety of specialized research aircraft within a 20,700 -square mile restricted airspace test range. NASA Dryden is associated with many important technological milestones in aviation and space access, including supersonic and hypersonic flight, digital fly-by-wire control systems, supercritical and forward-swept wings, and the space shuttles. Dryden continues to conduct projects that support NASA's Aeronautics Research Mission by contributing to revolutionary advances in aeronautics technologies, access to space at reduced cost and improved safety, and security for global civil aviation. It also supports NASA's human space flight program as an alternate landing site for the space shuttle orbiters, having been the site of 50 space shuttle landings since the first orbital flight in April 1981.
For more information, see www.dfrc.nasa.gov.
Access 5 is a collaborative project established between government and industry, with primary sponsorship and funding by NASA’s Vehicle Systems Program in the Aeronautics Mission Directorate. In October the project will transition to the Airspace Systems Program. The goal of Access 5 is to promote safe and reliable integration, as well as routine access of HALE UAS in the NAS. Working in concert with the FAA, Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, industry and others, Access 5 is systematically evaluating all relevant technology, policy, regulatory and infrastructure issues through four-incremental phases that will result in the development of recommendations to integrate HALE UASs safely into the NAS for routine operations. These recommendations which will benefit the global UAS community as it moves to utilize UASs routinely for a variety of applications such as border and security surveillance, fire-monitoring, assessment of natural disasters, weather, storm monitoring, scientific research and more.
For more information, see http://www.access5.aero.
Altair, Predator and Lynx are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Additional information may be obtained by contacting the following:
Cyndi Wegerbauer
The Access 5 Project
+1 (858) 442-92475
[email protected]
Alan Brown
NASA Dryden
+1 (661) 276-2665
[email protected]
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Global Aerial Surveillance Announces Plans to Develop
an Amphibious Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
Intended to Address Homeland Security Issues and Natural Disasters
Such as Hurricane Katrina
LAS VEGAS, NV -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 08/31/2005 -- Global Aerial Surveillance (OTC: GARS), a developer and manufacturer of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for both commercial and military applications, announced today that it is planning to develop a fully autonomous amphibious UAV designed for surveillance and search and rescue missions.
Global's new design, named the 'Sea Wraith,' is a fallback on an old maritime surveillance vehicle that has been used for spotting submarines and ships in the past. During WW2, sea planes were used to spot enemy submarines that were encroaching on US coastal waters. These same planes were responsible for identifying and sinking enemy vessels off US shores from Florida to Maine. Global will be taking a page out of history, using what has historically proven effective in the design of its new airframe.
"With the current natural disaster situation involving hurricane Katrina, we have evaluated how our line of aircraft might be used to assist with search and rescue and general reconnaissance missions," stated Craig Cervantes, CEO of Global Aerial Surveillance. "We feel that the Sea Wraith could be used for many civil missions, including damage assessment, 24-hour day and night surveillance, or any mission where an 'eye in the sky' is called for. This aircraft would fit this role perfectly because it needs no runway and can be taken off and landed from any body of water or flood plain."
Most coastal areas have inlets and rivers where an amphibious UAV could be deployed very easily. This aircraft, being a fully amphibious design, could be deployed offshore to oil platforms or reconnaissance missions out on open water. With a twelve-hour flight duration, the Sea Wraith will be able to stay aloft to complete missions that involve long-range flight or extended mission times. Global originally developed this concept for the homeland security market, to complete long-range missions, including surveying incoming cargo ships with a chemical and nuclear detection package to identify potential threats before they reach our ports.
More information is available on the company's website at: www.globalaerialsurveillance.com.
About Global Aerial Surveillance
Global Aerial Surveillance intends to capitalize on what the company sees as an opportunity in the civilian and military markets to provide Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) for a myriad of potential applications. Although the applications for UAVs are numerous, Global intends to concentrate its development and marketing efforts in small, underserved niches where it can compete aggressively with pricing and service exceeding the competition.
Global will take a new approach to the development of UAV technology by making use of advanced composite construction techniques and materials and incorporating the latest in ultra-light high-speed computer processors to deliver a flexible, mission-specific UAV to its customers that can perform various complex missions.
A recent study of the worldwide UAV market concluded that US spending on UAVs amounted to about 73% of worldwide research and production spending in 2003. The US has dominated this market in recent years, due in part, to the depth of research and wide range of production programs.
Frost & Sullivan, a research group in San Antonio, Texas, forecasts that the market for UAVs will be worth nearly $5 billion by 2005. Michael Heinz, who heads Boeing's Unmanned Systems unit, and other executives at military contractors see an annual market of at least $10 billion by decade's end, with growth continuing at double-digit rates for a decade or more.
The statements made in this press release, which are not historical facts, contain forward-looking statements concerning potential developments affecting the business, prospects, financial conditions and other aspects of the company to which this release pertains. The actual results of the specific items described in the release, and the company's operations generally, may differ materially from what is projected in such forward-looking statements. Although such statements are based upon the best judgments of management of the company as of the date of this release, significant deviations in magnitude, timing and other factors may result from business risks and uncertainties including, without limitation, the company's dependence on third parties, general market and economic conditions, technical factors, the availability of outside capital, receipt of revenues and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the company. The company disclaims any obligation to update information contained in any forward-looking statement.
For furhter information, please contact:
Global Aerial Surveillance
702-987-0395
Email Contact
http://www.globalaerialsurveillance.com
Aurora Flight Sciences delivers first RQ-4B vertical tails
MANASSAS , Va. August 29 – Aurora Flight Sciences announced today that it delivered the first set of vertical tails for the new RQ-4B model of the Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle to prime contractor Northrop Grumman (NYSE:NOC). Aurora designed and fabricated tooling for the new aircraft's aft fuselage, fairings, vertical tails and engine nacelle components. The vertical tails complete the delivery of the first ship set of RQ-4B flight hardware built by Aurora. The delivery is a major milestone towards delivering the first RQ-4B, which is expected to make its first flight in 2006.
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“The vertical tails and other components in the first RQ-4B ship set were among the first components fabricated in Aurora's brand new, state-of-the-art composites facility,” said Aurora Flight Sciences President John Langford. “The facility was designed in conjunction with MIT's Lean Aerospace Initiative as a showcase for lean aerospace manufacturing processes. The facility helps us streamline our fabrication processes, optimize process efficiencies and deliver RQ-4B components with the goal of being on-time and on-cost.”
When Aurora received its first subcontract in 1995 to build vertical tails for the original Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) air vehicle, it was merely a conceptual sketch on a drafting board. Over the last 10 years, Aurora Flight Sciences has been a key member of the Global Hawk team, and has helped turn that original conceptual sketch into one of the United States' most powerful Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) assets. Over the years, Aurora has increased the scope of its Global Hawk work from fabrication of vertical tails for the first two Global Hawk airframes to a portfolio that includes fabrication of the vertical tails, nacelle and aft fuselage assemblies as well as several metal bond doors and fairing assemblies. Today, Aurora Flight Sciences manufactures almost one-third of each Global Hawk fuselage assembly.
“Aurora has played a pivotal role on the Global Hawk team since the program's inception,” said George Guerra, Director for Northrop Grumman's Global Hawk program.“ Aurora's commitment and dedication to the program have brought us closer to delivering the first RQ-4B and expanding the capabilities and options available to today's warfighters and commanders.”
The new RQ-4B Global Hawk is larger than the currently deployed Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrator Global Hawk system and the RQ-4A version. It carries 50 percent more payload and provides two and a half times the available onboard power for carrying multiple sensor systems.
About Aurora Flight Sciences of West Virginia
Aurora Flight Sciences of West Virginia is a world-class fabricator of composite and metal aerospace components. With more than 100,000 square feet of production facility, Aurora is a leader in unmanned aerial vehicle technology for research, defense and homeland security organizations. For more than 15 years, Aurora Flight Sciences has expanded the limits of unmanned flight through the design and manufacture of innovative aircraft.
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About Aurora Flight Sciences
Aurora Flight Sciences is a leader in unmanned aerial vehicle technology for research, defense and homeland security organizations. For more than 15 years, Aurora Flight Sciences has expanded the limits of unmanned flight through the design and manufacture of innovative aircraft.
Learn more about Aurora Flight Sciences by visiting the company’s website at www.aurora.aero
Pictures provided and copyrighted by Aurora Flight Sciences
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