Geneva Aerospace Successfully Completes Unmanned Auto-Landing Test Flight with the Dakota UAV; Company Completes Next Stage in On-Going Project with the United States Navy.CARROLLTON, Texas -- Geneva Geneva, canton and city, Switzerland Geneva (jənē`və), Fr. Genève, canton (1990 pop. 373,019), 109 sq mi (282 sq km), SW Switzerland, surrounding the southwest tip of the Lake of Geneva. Aerospace,(R) Inc., a leader in the development of unmanned vehicle technologies, successfully completed six consecutive auto landings of a Dakota UAV (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 the United States Army United States Army Major branch of the U.S. military forces, charged with preserving peace and security and defending the nation. The first regular U.S. fighting force, the Continental Army, was organized by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, to supplement local Yuma Proving Grounds in Yuma, Arizona. This flight test was the next phase under Geneva's current contract with the Naval Air Systems Command The Naval Air Systems Command, or NAVAIR, is the part of the United States Navy which provides materiel support for naval aircraft and airborne weapon systems, such as guided missiles. NAVAIR was established in 1966 as the successor to the Navy's Bureau of Naval Weapons (BuWeps). (NAVAIR) and the United States Air Force United States Air Force (USAF) Major component of the U.S. military organization, with primary responsibility for air warfare, air defense, and military space research. It also provides air services in coordination with the other military branches. U.S. Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Battlelab (UAVB). The test served as the precursor to flying the Berkut UAV which will utilize Geneva's proven integrated avionics technologies, as well as the auto landing capability. The Berkut test flight is tentatively scheduled for early 2006. Geneva personnel, in conjunction with NAVAIR, conducted the test using a Dakota UAV that weighs approximately 200 pounds and has a wingspan of 16 feet. The vehicle was outfitted with Geneva's proven command, control and communication (C3) solutions which consists of missionTEK(TM) ground control station, flightTEK(R) flight control computer, and linkTEK(TM) data link computer. Geneva's C3 product suite coupled with the auto land capability delivers affordable and reliable solutions for autonomous flights. "The auto landing technology that we have developed can bring precision landing capability to a wide variety of UAVs, but at an order of magnitude A change in quantity or volume as measured by the decimal point. For example, from tens to hundreds is one order of magnitude. Tens to thousands is two orders of magnitude; tens to millions is three orders of magnitude, etc. less than existing systems," said Dave Lleras, program manager for Geneva. "The next stage of our program will involve demonstrating this technology on a 2000 pound class vehicle." While the demonstrations are land-based, future objectives will also include shipboard landing. Actual test flight video is available for viewing at www.genaero.com. About Geneva Aerospace Geneva Aerospace designs breakthrough technologies for unmanned aerial vehicles
Note to Editors: The 3 in C3 is usually written in superscript. |
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