CARROLLTON, Tex., 20 March 2006. Geneva Aerospace Inc., developer of unmanned vehicle technologies, has completed six consecutive auto landings of a Dakota UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) at the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Grounds in Yuma, Ariz.
The flight test was the next phase under Geneva's current contract with the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) and the U.S. Air Force Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Battlelab (UAVB).
Geneva personnel, in conjunction with NAVAIR, conducted the test using a Dakota UAV that weighs approximately 200 pounds and has a wingspan of 16 feet. The vehicle was outfitted with Geneva's proven command, control, and communication (C3) solutions.
"The next stage of our program will involve demonstrating this technology on a 2000-pound-class vehicle," says Dave Lleras, program manager for Geneva.
The demonstrations are land-based, but future objectives will also include shipboard landing.
The test flight video is available for viewing online at www.genaero.com.
