FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb 22, 2012
Supports Sense-and-Avoid Architecture, Sets Stage for Unmanned Aircraft Tests
SAN DIEGO – 22 February 2012 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), a leading manufacturer of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), tactical reconnaissance radars, and electro-optic surveillance systems, today announced the successful demonstration of an early prototype of its Due Regard Radar on a manned aircraft. The Due Regard Radar is a company-funded system that supports GA-ASI's overall radar-based airborne sense-and-avoid architecture for its Predator® B UAS.
"The successful demonstration of our Due Regard Radar represents a major milestone in the development of the company's airborne sense-and-avoid radar architecture," said Linden Blue, president, Reconnaissance Systems Group, GA-ASI. "Equipping a highly reliable UAS such as Predator B with this capability will expand its capacity to operate routinely in domestic and international airspace, ensuring its interoperability with civilian air traffic and airspace rules and regulations."
Installed on a surrogate Twin Otter aircraft, the Due Regard Radar's first successful flight test occurred October 17, 2011 in California off the coast of San Diego and in Borrego Springs. During the test, the radar system, which is based upon an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, successfully detected "intruder" King Air aircraft encroaching upon the Twin Otter's airspace. The purpose of the test was to collect data for algorithm development, laying the groundwork for additional manned flight testing.
Following the completion of manned flight tests, testing will begin on unmanned aircraft. Development work will continue until the radar has achieved a technology readiness level of 7, tentatively setting the stage for customer introduction in 2015. Long-term plans include rolling out the capability to other aircraft in the Predator/Gray Eagle® UAS family.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., an affiliate of General Atomics, delivers situational awareness by providing unmanned aircraft, radar, and electro-optic solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. The company's Aircraft Systems Group is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable unmanned aircraft systems, including Predator A, Predator B, Gray Eagle®, and the new Predator C Avenger®. It also manufactures a variety of solid-state digital Ground Control Stations (GCS), including the next-generation Advanced Cockpit GCS, and provides pilot training and support services for UAS field operations. The Reconnaissance Systems Group designs, manufactures, and integrates the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar and sophisticated Claw® sensor control and image analysis software into both manned and unmanned aircraft. It also develops and integrates other sensor and communication equipment into manned ISR aircraft and develops emerging technologies in solid-state lasers, electro-optic sensors, and ultra-wideband data links for government applications. For more information, please visit www.ga-asi.com.
Predator, Avenger, Lynx, and Claw are registered trademarks and Gray Eagle® is a trademark of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
For more information contact:
Kimberly Kasitz
Public Relations Manager
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
+1.858.312.2294
kimberly.kasitz@ga-asi.com