The year 2009 has brought Aeros to new heights. The Aeroscraft
development has significantly picked up its pace and is aggressively
marching towards its initial flight testing. Other programs involving FAA
Type Certified Aeros 40D “Sky Dragon” airships and advanced tethered
Aerostatic systems proved to be successful once again.
January, 2009
Aeros
completes demonstrations of the Aeros 40D “Sky Dragon” airship MSN –
21 integrated surveillance platform. Equipped with an EO/IR camera
sensor and downlink system, the Aeros 40D performed a series of
surveillance simulated exercises to demonstrate its capabilities.
February, 2009
Aeros receives a production certificate from the United States Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA). A production certificate is approval
to manufacture the Aeros 40D “Sky Dragon” airship model under an
FAA-approved type design. The production certificate signifies that
Aeros’ production quality, as well as methods of assembly and
fabrication, meets the strict requirement set by the FAA.
March, 2009
Aeros completes the ELASS (Expendable Low cost Aerostat Surveillance
System) demonstration program. The ELASS program was focused on
development of an innovative design for a low cost surveillance
aerostat system. The key technology is the Aeros-developed
non-conventional mooring system that makes the aerostat significantly
more affordable. The ELASS will provide new capabilities for the
warfighters.
April, 2009
Aeros delivers the Aeros 40D Sky Dragon airship MSN – 21 to Aria
International Incorporated. Aria is under contract to the RTA to
provide in-country surveillance and communications solutions and
services. The RTA system is composed of an Airship, imagery capability
from high-definition cameras and down linked communication facilities
to a mobile command platform that are targeted to meet the
requirements for this special procurement.
May, 2009Aeros begins integration of the aerostructure
under the Defense Advanced Research Projects
Agency (DARPA) Buoyancy Assisted Lift Air Vehicle (BAAV) program.
The advantages of the aerostructure include the operational
flexibility at max payload; envelope shape and stability not dependant
on internal pressure; punctures do not jeopardize structural
integrity; envelope shape and internal payload minimize cross-wind
input.
June, 2009Aeros performs flight demonstrations of the
low speed control system, which is designed to allow for a full yaw /
drift authority to the pilot in cross winds at all flight phases at
any flight speed, in addition to landing in extremely short and narrow
landing sites.
July, 2009Aeros 40D “Sky Dragon” airship MSN – 21
begins its operations. Aria International Incorporated, a company
focused on providing specialized surveillance and communications
solutions announced that it has received its first revenues under its
major contract with the Kingdom of Thailand, Royal Thai Army (“RTA”)
to provide surveillance system components to Thailand. The Aeros 40D
airship is being utilized for surveillance and communication missions.
August, 2009Aeros completes the DARPA BAAV demonstration
program. During successful Structure Integrity testing, Aeros
confirmed that, in a full scale vehicle, a rigid aerostructure
satisfies loads requirements without failure.
September, 2009Aeros showcased the Aeroscraft at the
National Defense Transportation Association (NDTA), 63rd Annual Forum
and Exposition in Nashville, Tennessee. The Aeroscraft display
received major interest from the US Department of Defense. The
Aeroscraft air vehicle answers the challenge for a new vision that
requires looking outside the box and developing new capabilities for
the warfighters.
October, 2009
Aeros completes the system test for the tethered aerostat model Aeros
21M. The key technology is the Aeros-developed non-conventional
mooring system that makes the aerostat significantly more affordable.
All aspects of the 21M aerostat launch, recovery and mooring are aimed
at simplifying a system with a smaller logistical footprint and, at
the same time, delivering a platform capable of carrying a payload to
an altitude of over 1500 feet above ground level.
November, 2009
The Aeroscraft Vehicle Flight Management Unit System Bench Test was
completed. The Aeroscraft Vehicle Flight Management is a dual
redundancy “flight-by-light” system that is based on advanced fiber
optic technology that makes it lighter weight and immune to electric
noise.
December, 2009
Aeros begins assembly of the Aeroscraft. The assembly process was
marked by the first two structural truss components being put
together. The Aeroscraft is a new type of rigid, variable buoyancy
air vehicle designed to control lift in all stages of air or ground
operations including the ability to off-load payload without
re-ballasting. The key features of the Aeroscraft include the rigid
structure, vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, and the ability
to operate at low speed, in hover, and from unprepared surfaces.
About
the Aeroscraft: The Aeroscraft is a new type of rigid, variable buoyancy air vehicle designed to control lift in all stages of
air or ground operations including the ability to off-load payload without
re-ballasting. The key features of the Aeroscraft include the rigid
structure, vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, and the ability to
operate at low speed, in hover, and from unprepared surfaces.
About
Aeros: Aeros is the
world's leading lighter-than-air, FAA-certified aircraft manufacturing
company. The company's operations involve the research, development,
production, operation and marketing of a complete family of Aeros-branded
air vehicles used in government and commercial applications. These include
non-rigid FAA Type Certified Aeros 40D Sky Dragon Airships, Advanced
Tethered Aerostatic Systems and New Type Rigid Air Vehicle - Aeroscraft.
For more information please visit
www.aerosml.com
