AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced that its One System Ground Control Station (OSGCS) has demonstrated successful automatic takeoff and landing of the U.S.  Army’s extended range/multi-purpose (ER/MP) Sky Warrior unmanned aircraft system (UAS).  Three successful automatic landings occurred during test flights at ER/MP Sky Warrior prime contractor General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ El Mirage Flight Operations Center in Adelanto, Calif., on August 29, followed by three successful automatic takeoffs on September 26.

The test flights also proved several advances in AAI’s OSGCS that provide greater command-and-control of unmanned aircraft.  The OSGCS controlled the ER/MP Sky Warrior in several flight modes, and demonstrated features for improved mission planning, navigation, payload control and low-speed taxiing. 

“Automating air vehicle operators’ tasks will allow them to focus more closely on mission performance,” explains Steven Reid, AAI’s vice president of UAS.  “Further, our customers will benefit from simplified training requirements and a lower mishap rate.”
These next-generation OSGCS capabilities also support NATO standardization agreement (STANAG) 4586 requirements for interoperability between unmanned systems.  AAI, working with the U.S.  Army’s UAS Program Office and the U.S.  Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City, has successfully demonstrated command-and-control of unmanned ground and surface vehicles, as well as UAS, using a new open-architecture GCS system. 

“The ultimate goal of these STANAG 4586 requirements and our OSGCS innovations is the seamless operation of unmanned assets,” says Reid.  “Warfighters will have improved mission coordination and execution capabilities.  Utilizing common GCS technologies also enables reduced procurement and operating costs.”

AAI’s One System technologies — including the OSGCS, One System Portable GCS, and One System Remote Video Terminal — are fully interoperable with all of AAI’s UAS including the Shadow® and Aerosonde® systems, as well as the Sky Warrior and Hunter unmanned aircraft. 

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 http://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 Operations, 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 http://www.textronsystems.com.

About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc.  is a $13.2 billion multi-industry company operating in 34 countries with approximately 44,000 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, Fluid & Power, Textron Systems and Textron Financial Corporation.  More information is available at http://www.textron.com.