BAE Systems Unmanned Aerial System Takes WolfPack Sensors to the Air
16 Feb 2006
NASHUA, New Hampshire -- BAE Systems recently demonstrated its vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial system (UAS) at Fort Benning, Ga., for Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and U.S. Army representatives.
The unmanned system is designed to fly for more than one hour, and deploy a signals intelligence (SIGINT) payload, known as "WolfPack." As part of DARPAs Network Centric Experiment VIP Demonstration in January, BAE Systems integrated WolfPack with its UAS to demonstrate the deployment and relocation of the sensors.
"This demonstration shows that unattended battlefield sensors can not only operate autonomously, but that they can be made to be self-deploying, self-relocating and, if needed, self-recovering," said DARPA Program Manager Preston Marshall.
WolfPack consists of unattended sensors designed to detect and disrupt enemy radio transmissions while avoiding disruption of friendly military and protected commercial communications and radars. BAE Systems unmanned aerial system is one of a number of options being explored to insert the WolfPack sensors in urban and remote battle space.
"The mobility provided by the unmanned aerial system significantly enhances the utility of the WolfPack sensors," said Tom Herring, vice president and general manager of Integrated Solutions for BAE Systems. "Together, the sensor suite and the UAS represent an important capability to support the war fighters' needs."
The emitter detection mission was conducted autonomously, carrying the 22-pound SIGINT payload over a 1.1-kilometer course. Launch and recovery were conducted from different locations to emphasize how the UAS would actually be deployed. During the flight, the UAS reached a speed of more than 30 knots while winds varied from 10 to 20 knots. The system landed autonomously within a meter of the designated touchdown point. The flight was monitored from a man-portable ground control station. After touchdown, the system successfully detected the presence of a simulated threat radar.
The UAS is produced at BAE Systems facilities in Los Angeles and Ontario, Calif., and WolfPack is produced in Nashua, N.H.
About BAE SYSTEMS:
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence 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. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years and is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems. BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The Company employs 100,000 people worldwide and generates annual sales of approximately 14.8 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.
For further information, please contact:
Keith Lewis, BAE Systems
Tel: +1 603-885-2818
Mobile: +1 603-660-2023
keith.p.lewis@baesystems.com
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