Zenith AeroTech, VIRTEX join forces to up production of tethered heavy-lift unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
AFTON, Va. – Zenith AeroTech, a tethered unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) designer in Afton, Va., is partnering with contract manufacturer VIRTEX in Austin, Texas, to ramp-up production of tethered heavy-lift UAVs for civil and military applications.
Zenith AeroTech and VIRTEX are forming a strategic partnership to meet increasing customer demand for quick-turnaround tethered UAVs that comply with U.S. military and congressional guidelines.
“Zenith brings years of custom-made tethered UAV and free-flight drone design and manufacturing experience, while VIRTEX contributes its sought-after advanced electronics design, manufacturing, and testing capabilities," says Kutlay Kaya, chairman of Zenith AeroTech. “VIRTEX will allow Zenith to scale-up production to meet larger volume orders in a shorter timeframe.”
Zenith AeroTech offers three different customizable tethered UAV platforms for industry, federal government, first responder, telecommunications, and military applications.
A tethered UAV connects to a ground station via a cable that passes power and control commands to the aircraft, and transmits live video and other information to operators on the ground.
Zenith AeroTech offers the Hexa, Quad 8, and Quadro tethered heavy-lift UAVs, with the Zenith Ground Power-Tether Management System that enables these unmanned helicopters to stay aloft for days at a time for persistent surveillance.
VIRTEX provides engineering services, design, system level-integration, printed circuit board assembly, and life cycle management services for the aerospace, military, and commercial applications.
Zenith will help VIRTEX enter the small unmanned aircraft market, with introductions to new defense and law-enforcement customers. “We offer leading-edge custom solutions that support multiple channels, including defense," says Dana Pittman, executive vice president of VIRTEX.
For more information contact Zenith AeroTech online at https://zenithaerotech.com, or VIRTEX at www.virtex.us.
John Keller | Editor-in-Chief
John Keller is the Editor-in-Chief, Military & Aerospace Electronics Magazine--provides extensive coverage and analysis of enabling electronics and optoelectronic technologies in military, space and commercial aviation applications. John has been a member of the Military & Aerospace Electronics staff since 1989 and chief editor since 1995.
