Peter La Franchi in London
Honeywell Defense & Space Electronic Systems has been selected to develop the US Army Future Combat Systems Class 1 mini-unmanned air vehicle. The company received an initial $61 million contract last week for 12 system development and demonstration (SDD) air vehicles. An operational system will comprise two air vehicles and a portable ground station.
The SDD-phase UAV will be evolved from the company’s prototype vertical take-off and landing micro air vehicle, which uses a lift-augmented ducted fan airframe – also known as a ring wing – to enable both vertical and horizontal flight modes.
The US Army plans to use the man-portable UAV for close-range surveillance, particularly in urban environments.
Source: Flight International
