The tests, conducted in May and June, demonstrated the first capability toward removing a human from harm's way with a low-cost UAV, while delivering the same effectiveness. SilentEyes is designed to operate in close proximity to a potential target to collect clear images so an operator can make incontestable combat identification and target confirmation.

The test demonstration was managed by the U.S. Air Force Aeronautical Systems Center. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. supported the flight testing. For the tests, SilentEyes was loaded in a canister magazine similar to the Raytheon AN/ALE-50 Towed Decoy launcher and was launched by the MQ-9 flight crew from the Predator Ground Control Station.

Upon release, SilentEyes deployed its wings, flew autonomously and transmitted target images with its data link through the MQ-9 data link to the ground control station for video display and processing.

SilentEyes was commanded via the MQ-9 to alternate waypoints and target locations. SilentEyes was configured with the Cloud Cap Technology Piccolo Plus flight computer and Raytheon's MicroLight data link.

Raytheon's SilentEyes is a transformational system that can provide revolutionary or asymmetric advantages to the war fighter. SilentEyes has been designed to be affordable and can be quickly customized to perform a variety of missions.

SilentEyes' capabilities include performing confirmation identification for both stationary and moving targets, reducing the time to find, fix, track, target, engage and assess targets and to execute attack.

The capability also will provide confirmatory identification when no manned assets have access to denied areas and will complement sensors on tactical manned and unmanned platforms with autonomous, air-launched sensors.

Spiral development of technology and technology spin-on can expand SilentEyes' capabilities to address other areas in the find-fix-track-target- engage-assess loop. Spiral development could include scaling and integrating SilentEyes with various payloads for deployment off the full range of strike aircraft, UAVs and Unmanned Combat Air Vehicles.

Raytheon developed and integrated emergent technologies into the SilentEyes air vehicle design and demonstrated the air vehicle in mission- relevant scenarios within nine months of contract award. These demonstrations showed that Raytheon could provide this capability for less than $15,000 per unit.

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