General Dynamics and Elbit Systems of America Conduct First U.S. Demonstration of Unmanned Aerial System for U.S. Armed Forces
April 30 2008 - 12:00PM
PR Newswire (US)
CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 30 /PRNewswire/ -- General Dynamics Armament
and Technical Products and Elbit Systems of America, LLC, recently
conducted the first U.S. demonstration of the Skylark(R) II Small
Tactical /Tier II-class Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) for
representatives of the U.S. armed forces. The event was held at
Redstone Arsenal, Ala. The Skylark II UAS provides a covert, silent
electric-propulsion system for Intelligence, Surveillance and
Reconnaissance (ISR) missions and target tracking, making it unique
among Tier II-class platforms. The air vehicle is virtually
inaudible at 500 feet Above Ground Level (AGL), enabling persistent
ISR coverage for use in areas previously inaccessible to other air
vehicles that have higher noise signatures or lower endurance
capabilities. This battalion-level system fills the capabilities
gap that exists between the small, company/platoon-level unmanned
systems and the tactical, brigade-level UASs that are currently
available. "The Skylark II system's operating characteristics
fulfill unmet needs for a small unmanned aerial system with
low-manpower, high-endurance covert capabilities suited to harsh
environments where there is limited logistical infrastructure,"
said Phil Hynes, vice president of strategic planning for General
Dynamics Armament and Technical Products. "To warfighters in
theater, that means that the enemy does not know they are being
watched." The Skylark II system features the lightweight,
state-of-the-art Micro-CoMPASS(TM) electro-optic surveillance
payload, which provides a laser target illuminator and a cooled
thermal imager with exceptionally high resolution. This
fully-integrated, gimbaled payload provides the warfighter a blend
of sensor capabilities in a form, fit and function that is
effective in any lighting condition. A fly-by-camera
interface/flight mode, combined with the Micro-CoMPASS(TM) payload,
makes the Skylark II system a force multiplier by allowing a single
operator to both fly the aircraft and operate the sensor suite. The
end product is outstanding imagery that helps 'paint the picture'
for combatant commanders and intelligence officers. Design of the
Skylark II system is based on the extensive operational experience
gained from a family of Elbit UAS systems during the recent
Lebanese War with the Israeli Defense Forces and currently employed
by coalition forces supporting Operations Iraqi and Enduring
Freedom. This system, like many others in its modular family,
offers the U.S. military a variety of unique,
operationally-validated solutions for current and emerging
requirements. "The effectiveness and reliability of the Elbit's UAS
family has been proven by over 100,000 flight hours," said Raanan
Horowitz, president and chief executive officer of Elbit Systems of
America. "We are pleased to partner with General Dynamics Armament
and Technical Products and provide the U.S. warfighter with this
operational capability." General Dynamics Armament and Technical
Products is a business unit of General Dynamics (NYSE:GD). Located
in Charlotte, N.C., it provides a broad range of system solutions
for military and commercial applications. The company designs,
develops and produces high-performance armament systems; defensive
armor solutions; aerospace components; mobile shelter systems; and
is the leading U.S. producer of biological and chemical detection
systems. More information about General Dynamics Armament and
Technical Products can be found on the Internet at
http://www.gdatp.com/. More information about General Dynamics is
available at http://www.generaldynamics.com/. Elbit Systems of
America, LLC, is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd.
(NASDAQ:ESLT). Headquartered in Fort Worth, TX, the company is a
leading global provider of high performance products and system
solutions focusing on the defense, homeland security and commercial
aerospace markets. With facilities in New Hampshire, Texas,
Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Virginia and California, Elbit
Systems of America is dedicated to supporting those who contribute
daily to the protection and safety of the U.S. DATASOURCE: General
Dynamics Armament and Technical Products CONTACT: Gail Warner of
General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products, +1-704-714-8014,
Fax: +1-704-714-8089, Web site: http://www.gdatp.com/
http://www.generaldynamics.com/
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