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Team GoldenEye To Develop Organic Air Vehicle For DARPA

an early 21st century anti-gravity machine

Aurora's GoldenEye is a fully-VTOL aircraft specifically tailored for low-cost, clandestine RSTA (reconnaisance, surveillance, and target aquisition) missions. GoldenEye is a vehicle in the 150 lbs GTOW class, with 45 lbs useful load allowance for payload and fuel. Among GoldenEye's many features designed to enhance mission flexibility, survivability, and covertness are reduced infrared and accoustic signatures, fully autonomous day/night operational capability, optionally-deployable payload stowage, and ample tactical-level endurance at any airspeed from hover to 160 knots.
Manassas VA (SPX) Dec 08, 2004
Aurora Flight Sciences announced today that an industry team it leads has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for an award under the Organic Air Vehicle - II (OAV-II) competition.

The OAV-II program will develop a Class-II UAV prototype for the Army's Future Combat Systems (FCS). The award funds Team GoldenEye, which consists of Aurora, Northrop Grumman and General Dynamics Robotic Systems, during the first of three development phases.

Combined, the three phases of the program have the potential to last 48 months and have a total program value in excess of $30 million.

"The key to the future of small tactical UAVs is their seamless integration with manned and unmanned ground combat vehicles and the networks that connect the modern battlefield," said Aurora President Dr. John S. Langford.

"Because of the major roles the team members play in the integration and management of FCS sensors and networks, the Aurora-Northrop Grumman- General Dynamics team is uniquely positioned to provide such a system to the U.S. Army."

The team's entry is based on the GoldenEye, a ducted fan VTOL aircraft that uses thrust vectoring and torsionally disconnected wings that was originally developed for DARPA through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.

GoldenEye has the range and endurance to cover the entire forward edge of battle area, and will feature advanced collision avoidance capability that will allow it to operate in dense urban areas.

The aircraft will have the capability to detect targets with visual or infrared sensors and laser designate the targets. In spite of these robust capabilities, GoldenEye will not require runways or helipads to operate. Its small logistical footprint will enable it to move with the FCS small combat unit.

During Phase I of the project, Team GoldenEye will develop a preliminary design for the GoldenEye-OAV system and demonstrate the critical elements of the collision avoidance subsystem.

A Phase II award decision is expected during the summer of 2005, shortly after the completion of Phase I.

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Geneva Aerospace Turns Blimps Into Satellite Communications Links For Army Units
Carrollton TX (SPX) Dec 02, 2004
Blimps are back. By adding Geneva Aerospace's industry-leading unmanned autonomous flight control technologies to blimps, the military soon will have more cost-effective communications capabilities in combat areas.



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