Cubic Applies for U.S. Patent for System Designed to Assist Pilots in Emergencies.

Business Editors and High-Tech Writers

SAN DIEGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 10, 2001

Cubic Defense Systems, a subsidiary of San Diego-based Cubic Corp. (AMEX:CUB), has applied for a U.S. patent for a new system and method for remotely controlling existing flight systems on board commercial aircraft.

The proposed system would be designed to stop terrorists or other passengers from taking control of the plane. It could also be used in other emergencies such as pilot medical emergencies.

Cubic is seeking airline industry and scientific partners to explore and develop the proposed device, which would give airline pilots the option of relinquishing control of their planes in dangerous situations to ground control stations. In cases where pilots were killed or disabled, or the aircraft was off course, authorities could remotely initiate ground control via a secure data link. The aircraft's system would then automatically be reprogrammed to approach the nearest safe airport, engage the auto landing sequence and land.

The proposed device could use a data link for encrypted communication between the aircraft and the ground control station. Once the ground control station -- possibly located at a military air base -- assumed control, no one on board could guide the plane, disable the controls or dump fuel.

"There are many challenges to creating this kind of system, but we think the invention is well worth exploring," said Max Farrow, Cubic Defense Systems vice president of Advanced Programs and Engineering. "Having these systems aboard commercial airliners would deter hijackers from trying to try to take them over, because they could not accomplish their objective."

Doug Nelson, the engineer who came up with the idea and refined it with help of his colleagues in the Cubic Defense Systems Advanced Programs group, said watching the two aircraft collide with the World Trade Center towers on Sept. 11 affected him deeply. The Cubic employee still remembers the 1978 crash of Pacific Southwest Airlines Flight 182. After colliding with another aircraft in mid-air, the airliner plummeted to the ground, killing all aboard and many residents of the North Park area of San Diego.

Nelson, who holds a pilot's license for single-engine aircraft, knew that existing autopilot systems have the capability to land planes at airports if pilots are incapacitated or during extreme weather. He also knew that Cubic -- a provider of sophisticated jam-resistant data links that can interface with Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) -- had the technological capability to create systems that could fly aircraft remotely from the ground.

Cubic is now awaiting word from the U.S Patent Office and Trademark Office to see if its patent application will be allowed. Though usually the process of getting a U.S. patent takes several years, Cubic has petitioned for accelerated examination under a program giving applications directed to anti-terrorist technology a priority. In the meantime, Cubic will continue work on its prototype system.

The Cubic Defense Group produces instrumented air and ground combat training systems, battle command training, simulations and simulation support for U.S. and allied military forces. The group also produces high technology avionics, data links and communications products for government and commercial customers, and a wide range of technical and logistics services.

The corporation's other major segment, Cubic Transportation Systems, designs and manufactures automatic fare collection systems for public mass transit authorities worldwide.