Boeing Persistent Munition Technology Demonstrator Achieves Autonomous Flight
ST. LOUIS, July 18, 2006 -- The Boeing [NYSE: BA] Persistent Munition Technology Demonstrator (PMTD), a test bed for future unmanned aerial vehicles, flew autonomously for the first time during a test in April at Vandalia Municipal Airport, Ill.
Boeing developed the 60-pound PMTD to demonstrate emerging technologies through incremental upgrades and flight demonstration phases. With a wingspan of 12 feet, the vehicle's airframe is designed for extended loiter times, air or surface launch and other potential capabilities.
During the test, the PMTD navigated to 14 programmed locations flawlessly, changed altitudes at four different points and achieved pre-planned speeds.
"The PMTD is intended to serve as a test bed for future small unmanned aerial vehicles and persistent weapon technologies," said Carl Avila, director, Advanced Weapons and Missile Systems for Boeing. "We're looking forward to working with our U.S. Air Force customer to define a PMTD demonstration plan to enable development of future warfighter capabilities."
After taxi and take off, the remote-controlled vehicle immediately switched to autonomous flight mode. After completing its pre-planned flight profile, the PMTD lined up on the runway for pilot takeover and landing.
"The engineering challenge of reducing weight and cost while improving performance is the type of project that really excites us," said EDO Corporation CEO James M. Smith. "We are extremely pleased to bring our experience with lightweight composite materials to the Dominator team."
EDO Corporation funded the PMTD composite airframe development, and Boeing funded all PMTD flight tests.
This first phase of the PMTD program focused on demonstrating autonomous flight capabilities. Future plans include sensor integration and enhanced weapon terminal guidance demonstration, as well as possible in-flight refueling and munitions dispense testing.
EDO Corporation designs and manufactures a diverse range of products for defense, intelligence and commercial markets, and provides related engineering and professional services. Major product groups include: Defense Electronics, Communications, Aircraft Armament Systems, Undersea Warfare and Integrated Composite Structures. EDO's advanced systems are at the core of the transformation to lighter, faster and smarter defense capabilities. With headquarters in New York, EDO Corporation employs 3,000 people worldwide. The company was founded in 1925 and had revenues of $648 million in 2005.
A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is one of the world's largest space and defense businesses. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Integrated Defense Systems is a $30.8 billion business. It provides network-centric system solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance systems; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer; a foremost provider of advanced concepts and technologies; a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in sustainment solutions and launch services.
###
Contact Info:
Marguerite Ozburn
Boeing Global Strike Systems
office: (314) 306-0630
mobile: (314) 306-0630
marguerite.a.ozburn@boeing.com
William A. Walkowiak
EDO Corporation
office: (212) 716-2038
ir@edocorp.com
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
