AAI Corp. [TXT] said this week that that Italy’s Ministry of Defense (MoD)–Directorate of General Aeronautical Armament has selected AAI’s Shadow 200 Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (TUAS) for the Italian Army.
Under the $64 million award, Italy will purchase four Shadow TUAS for deployment alongside NATO forces.
The Italian MoD’s TUAS procurement identified several system requirements leading up to the selection of AAI’s Shadow system. These features include a small system footprint; easy transportation using small vehicles or C-130 Hercules aircraft; ease of use; interoperability with other NATO forces; and the ability to take off and land from small, semi- prepared airfields.
“Our Shadow TUAS meet the mark for the Italian Army’s surveillance and reconnaissance requirements – and then some,” explains Vice President of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Steven Reid of AAI. “The system’s compact logistics footprint makes it easy to transport and operate under evolving battlefield conditions, as proven during more than 500,000 flight hours. In addition, the vast majority of Shadow TUAS’ flight hours have taken place in Iraq and Afghanistan, so our customers can see firsthand that our systems deliver the performance and robustness they need.”
Shadow TUAS leverage AAI’s interoperable One Systemr Ground Control Station architecture to receive and disseminate battlefield video. Its design also complies with NATO Standardization Agreement 4586, enhancing interoperability among international unmanned aircraft systems.
“AAI’s Shadow TUAS are unmatched in their maturity,” says Senior Vice President and General Manager Ellen Lord of AAI. “Not only do they deliver user-friendly and reliable intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and communications relay capabilities, the systems set a benchmark for operational success among TUAS that is beyond compare.”
AAI is taking advantage of select Italian defense suppliers to facilitate the delivery of the four Shadow systems to the MoD, including RIGEL International Engineering & Consultancy Agency, an experienced Italian defense contractor. System deliveries are expected to begin in 2011.