BAE SYSTEMS Achieves First Flight of Its Next-Generation Vertical Takeoff Unmanned Aerial Vehicle.LOS ANGELES Los Angeles (lôs ăn`jələs, lŏs, ăn`jəlēz'), city (1990 pop. 3,485,398), seat of Los Angeles co., S Calif.; inc. 1850. -- BAE Systems recently achieved a successful first flight of its third-generation vertical takeoff and landing Vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) A flight technique in which an aircraft rises directly into the air and settles vertically onto the ground. Such aircraft do not need runways but can operate from a small pad or, in some cases, from an unprepared site. (VTOL VTOL n. A convertiplane that can take off and land vertically. [v(ertical) t(ake)o(ff and) l(anding).] VTOL vertical takeoff and landing ) unmanned aerial vehicle A powered, aerial vehicle that does not carry a human operator, uses aerodynamic forces to provide vehicle lift, can fly autonomously or be piloted remotely, can be expendable or recoverable, and can carry a lethal or nonlethal payload. at its Southern California flight test facility. The newly designed IAV IAV Interim Armored Vehicle (US Army) IAV Institute for American Values IAV Inventory Adjustment Voucher IAV International Association of Volcanology IAV Irradiance Average IAV International Authorized Version 2 air vehicle forms the basis of BAE Systems' latest reconnaissance and surveillance configuration air vehicle. BAE Systems is pursuing customers such as the U.S. Marine Corps, Special Forces, Department of Homeland Security Noun 1. Department of Homeland Security - the federal department that administers all matters relating to homeland security Homeland Security executive department - a federal department in the executive branch of the government of the United States , and the U.S. Forestry Service to integrate sensor packages onto the air vehicle. The first flight of the IAV2 marked the start of BAE Systems' flight test program of the aerial vehicle. The flight test took place in 103-degree heat, equivalent to more than 6,000 feet of density altitude, and 5- to 10-knot winds. The flight was conducted with a simulated payload of approximately 20 pounds. "We are extremely satisfied with the IAV2's flight capability, as evidenced by its recent first flight," said Tom Herring, vice president and general manager of Integrated Solutions for BAE Systems. "Our team is highly energized to work on this challenging opportunity. We look forward to providing our customers with a significant system capability." The Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV UAV Unmanned Aerial Vehicle UAV Unmanned Air Vehicle UAV Unmanned Aerospace Vehicle UAV Unmanned Airborne Vehicle UAV Uninhabited Air Vehicle UAV Urban Assault Vehicle UAV Unpiloted Aerial Vehicle (less common) ) will undergo further flight testing and payload integration prior to demonstrating a fully integrated system. Using a 22-inch-diameter fan with a nominal outside diameter of 37 inches, the UAV is about 5 feet tall. BAE Systems developed the air vehicle as part of a company-funded research and development effort to design and demonstrate a family of ducted-fan UAVs. The ducted-fan design shrouds the fan, making it suitable for company- and platoon-level operations in which takeoffs and landings occur in close proximity to the war fighter. The success of the flight test program follows BAE Systems' VTOL design experience accumulated over the past several years. The IAV2 is currently undergoing payload integration for the future demonstration of a fully integrated system. BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defense and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, combat vehicles, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. |
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