Intelligence

New reconnaissance aircraft equipped with BAE SYSTEMS Avionics has successful first flight at Lima Airshow

26 Oct 2001

A modified single-engine commercial aircraft equipped with avionics from BAE Systems flew publicly for the first time at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Airshow in Malaysia. The highly successful Eagle ARV test program consisted of about 35 manned and unmanned flights of an Eagle 150 outfitted for reconnaissance use by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence.

BAE Systems Controls is furnishing a complete kit to convert the Eagle 150 from manned to unmanned operation, including a vehicle management system, RF data link, multi-sensor payload, and actuation and ground control for Malaysia's Airborne Reconnaissance Vehicle under an $8.5 million contract with Composites Technology Research Malaysia of Kuala Lumpur. Three Eagle 150s are being converted, and Controls is also providing the ground control station.

"We are proud to have been a part of this successful flight test program and pleased to have been chosen to integrate industry-leading avionics into this exciting new venture," said James Scanlon, president of BAE Systems Controls. The company is a leading avionics and flight control supplier and manufactures Skyeye unmanned aerial vehicles.

Following the demonstration of the initial three vehicles, Malaysia's Ministry of Defence plans to acquire a fleet of Eagle ARVs for a variety of maritime surveillance missions, such as detection of piracy, smuggling, and illegal immigration, and also for environmental monitoring. Controls is working closely with the Malaysian engineering firm Excelnet Sdn Bhd, which is modifying the stock Eagle 150 aircraft to extend its endurance and range and to accommodate the added electronic gear. The two-seat Eagle 150, built by Eagle Aircraft PTY Ltd. of Australia, was chosen as the platform because of its lightweight composite construction.

BAE Systems Controls, an operating unit of BAE Systems North America, is a leading supplier of electronic flight and engine controls for defence and commercial aircraft and launch vehicle applications. It also provides integrated avionics for aircraft applications and complete unmanned aerial vehicle systems and is a leader in electronic controls for the locomotive industry and the emerging hybrid-electric vehicle market.

Controls operates facilities in Johnson City, New York; Santa Monica and Ontario, California; Fort Wayne, Indiana; and Redmond, Washington.