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Proxy Aviation Systems recently announced the United States Air Force (USAF) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Battlelab (UAVB) sponsored and cooperated in a demonstration of SkyForce, Proxy Aviation's unmanned aircraft system. Held to demonstrate the autonomous capability of the system, the demonstration program was made possible through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between the USAF UAV Battlelab and Proxy Aviation. The demonstration took place in early November at the USAF UAV Battlelab at Creech Air Force Base in Nevada. Proxy Aviation's SkyWatcher, an optionally piloted, unmanned aircraft (UA) designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, was used to complete the demonstrations. End-user sensor tasking, simulated handling of system faults, and overall communication range were evaluated through a series of flight demonstrations -- each successfully completed by SkyWatcher. Portland, Oregon-based FLIR Systems, provided the Star SAFIRE III sensor used in the demonstrations. SkyWatcher is the ISR component of SkyForce, Proxy Aviation's comprehensive, network-centric unmanned aircraft system. SkyForce is designed to manage the cooperative flight of up to 12 unmanned aircraft in constellation formation while simultaneously distributing sensor control and viewing capability among multiple end users. The system is comprised of three main components: multiple, optionally piloted, unmanned aircraft with various quick-change payloads; a mission-management ground control station; and remote and mobile user terminals. Col. Larry Felder, USAF UAVB Commander, said, "The USAF UAV Battlelab, in cooperation with Proxy Aviation Systems, successfully conducted initial demonstrations of the SkyWatcher platform and its associated ground control station. SkyWatcher and SkyForce have potential to bring valuable combat capabilities to the warfighter." Don Ryan, Proxy Aviation's Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are extremely pleased to be working with the United States Air Force UAV Battlelab and are excited with the promising results of the demonstration. Based on these recent successes, SkyForce is now one step closer to being deployed to execute critical unmanned missions around the world." In addition to SkyWatcher, Proxy Aviation's UAS also includes the optionally piloted, high-performance SkyRaider. Currently under development, this UA is designed to operate at higher speeds and altitudes and carry special-purpose payloads. Related Links Proxy Aviation Systems SpaceWar Search SpaceWar Subscribe To SpaceWar Express 
Global Hawk UAV Surpasses 5,000 Combat Flight Hours
San Diego CA (SPX) Jan 06, 2006The U.S. Air Force's RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial reconnaissance system, built by Northrop Grumman, recently passed the 5,000 combat flight-hours mark while on a mission supporting the global war on terrorism. |
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