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AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc.
(NYSE: TXT) company, and L-3 Communication Systems-West today announced
the achievement of a vital situational awareness architecture to support
the U.S. Army’s Datalink for Manned/Unmanned Systems (DMS) — bringing
together reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA)
information across multiple airborne assets.
AAI and L-3 Communication Systems-West’s integrated aerial situational
awareness system combines AAI’s combat-proven One System®
Remote Video Terminal (OSRVT) command-and-control architecture with
certified communications components from L-3. The installation-ready
system can be provided as a partially integrated mobile mission package
or a fully integrated cockpit solution.
The U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate, or AATD, recently
demonstrated the DMS at Fort Eustis, Va., for which AAI and L-3
delivered a fully integrated aerial situational awareness platform based
on this system for the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopter.
Operating on a dedicated onboard computer and transceiver subsystem
integrated into the existing cockpit displays and interfaces, the AAI
and L-3 system received unmanned aircraft video across multiple radio
frequency bands, transmitted video and telemetry data to ground-based
OSRVT terminals, and shared aircraft sensor video between the Kiowa and
a similarly equipped Boeing Apache® helicopter. The
demonstration came about through the work of a team comprising AAI, L-3
and customers AATD and Program Manager (PM) Kiowa Helicopter (OH-58).
“Our customers successfully demonstrated the force protection possible
when we seamlessly move situational awareness information between the
manned and unmanned assets in the battle space,” says Vice President of
Unmanned Aircraft Systems Steven Reid of AAI. “This valuable exercise
further highlights the benefit of unmanned systems as a vital provider
of RSTA capabilities.”
“The trend towards smaller, lighter and networked information
acquisition and communication systems brings new capability to the
warfighter,” says Vice President of Advanced Development Lori Eckles of
L-3 Communication Systems-West. “These include enhanced air-ground
coordination, shared situational awareness and reduced sensor-to-shooter
times. L-3 Communication Systems-West is proud to be teamed with AAI,
AATD and PM Kiowa Helicopter on this ground-breaking demonstration.”
About L-3 Communication Systems-West
L-3 Communication Systems-West, located in Salt Lake City, UT, is the
preeminent supplier of wideband data links and mobile surface and
airborne satellite terminals for military applications in the world.
They have over 40 years of experience in providing robust, mobile
microwave terminals, satellite terminals and wideband data links for
airborne platforms, including manned and unmanned platforms, operating
in a variety of environments. More information is available at www.l-3com.com/csw.
About L-3
Headquartered in New York City, L-3 Communications employs over 66,000
people worldwide and is a prime contractor in aircraft modernization and
maintenance, C3ISR (Command, Control, Communications,
Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) systems and government
services. L-3 is also a leading provider of high technology products,
subsystems and systems. The company reported 2008 sales of $14.9
billion. More information is available at www.l-3com.com.
About AAI
AAI Corporation designs, produces, and supports aerospace and defense
systems through its direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, AAI
Services Corporation, Aerosonde Pty Ltd, ESL Defence Limited, and Symtx,
Inc. Its high-technology products and services include unmanned aircraft
systems, training and simulation systems, automated aerospace test and
maintenance equipment, armament systems, aviation ground support
equipment, and logistical, engineering, and supply chain services. AAI
Corporation is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Textron Inc. More
information is available at www.aaicorp.com.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems Corporation has been providing innovative solutions to
the defense, homeland security and aerospace communities for more than
50 years. Known for its unmanned aircraft systems, advanced marine
craft, armored vehicles, intelligent battlefield and surveillance
systems, intelligence software solutions, precision smart weapons,
piston engines, test and training systems, and total life cycle
sustainment services, Textron Systems includes AAI Corporation, Lycoming
Engines, Overwatch, Textron Defense Systems and Textron Marine & Land
Systems. Textron Systems Corporation is an indirect wholly owned
subsidiary of Textron Inc. More information is available at www.textronsystems.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global
network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to
provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is
known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter,
Cessna Aircraft Company, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee,
and Textron Systems. More information is available at www.textron.com.
AAI is a registered trademark of AAI Corporation.
One System is a registered trademark of the U.S. Army.
Apache is a registered trademark of Boeing Management Company
Corporation.
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