UTC receive autopilot and payload contract for AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems’ Aerosonde

UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) has received a contract from AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems to supply Cloud Cap Technology autopilots, stabilized camera payloads, ground station software components and flight management software from its business in Hood River, Ore. These will be utilized for AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems’ expeditionary Aerosonde Small Unmanned Aircraft System fleet, which has been selected to provide intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for the U.S. Navy and Special Operations Command (SOCOM).

John Trezza, Vice President of UTC Aerospace Systems ISR Systems business said, “With the announcement of these awards, UTC Aerospace Systems looks forward to continuing our long standing working relationship with AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems and delivering high performing systems as part of their team.”

UTC Aerospace Systems’ Cloud Cap Technology Piccolo autopilot is the industry standard in open architecture autopilots, providing feature rich capabilities with superior performance and reliability.  Moreover, Cloud Cap Technology TASE gimbals offer the highest performance in the lowest SWaP (Size, Weight and Power) in the industry.

For its Aerosonde SUAS, AAI Unmanned Aircraft Systems will be using the Piccolo II autopilot and the newly announced TASE400 stabilized camera system which includes daylight and cooled continuous zoom MWIR (mid-wave infrared) nighttime imagers.  At only 7.5lbs, including full GPS, INS and image stabilization as well as scene steering, path track and object tracking, the TASE400 will provide unparalleled imagery and capability for the delivered systems.