World Surveillance Group Executes Agreement With Oklahoma State University – University Multispectral Laboratories
KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, FL, Nov 14, 2011 World Surveillance Group Inc. WSGI -1.70% , a developer of lighter-than-air (“LTA”) unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAVs”) and related technologies, announced today that the Company has entered into a three year agreement with Oklahoma State University — University Multispectral Laboratories, LLC (“UML”), to collaborate in support of research, development, testing & evaluation (“RDT&E”) activities associated with WSGI’s LTA UAV platforms.
According to the terms of the agreement, both parties agree to cooperate and conduct RDT&E, technical, engineering and scientific activities using the facilities, staff, methods, and technologies of each party to rapidly advance technology, from concept to operation, in the following areas: chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, explosive (collectively, “CBRNE”), command, control, computers, communication, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (“C5ISR”), and unmanned aerial systems (“UAS”).
WSGI President and CEO Glenn D. Estrella stated, “We are extremely excited about the opportunity to partner with UML and look forward to developing a long-term relationship focused on current and future product development and commercialization. With UML, we intend on flying and demonstrating the Argus One UAV’s capabilities for potential customers at UML’s facilities. We also believe we have found a technological partner with whom we will be able to advance our ultimate goal of producing a successful stratospheric airship platform. This partnership with UML and the combination of our resources is a very important step for our Company and we are greatly looking forward to being a part of Oklahoma’s continued leadership in developing a rich and deep UAS culture to complement Oklahoma’s high technology aerospace industry.”
“The UML is very pleased to have the opportunity to assist WSGI achieve its ambitious goals of product development and ultimate commercialization of a very unique UAS to help meet the security needs of our nation. The stratospheric airship offers tremendous potential in the rapidly growing unmanned era of the aerospace industry. The UML and our relationships with Oklahoma’s research universities offer WGSI an enhanced capability to expedite development of new capabilities for the DoD and for homeland security,” said Dr. Web Keogh, Laboratory Director, UML.
WSGI has begun planning joint flight exercises of the Argus One UAV with UML, a national center for testing, evaluating, and implementing defense, homeland security, energy, and intelligence systems. UML has an agreement with the U.S. Army’s Fort Sill to utilize restricted airspace for UAS operations with UML clients including numerous government agencies and programs, and commercial entities. Additionally, WSGI is continuing discussions to schedule further flight testing of the Argus One at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Nevada National Security Site as well as the U.S. Army’s Proving Ground facility in Yuma, Arizona.
