Prosperous Integration of Aerosonde sUAS with US Navy

Textron Systems has achieved a meaningful milestone with the inaugural flight and maritime integration of the Aerosonde Small Unmanned Aerial System (sUAS) aboard a US Navy Guided Missile Destroyer (DDG).

Significance of the Frist Flight

This initial flight underscores the Aerosonde’s capability to deliver a dependable and advanced aerial platform for naval operations, all while maintaining a compact aviation footprint even in challenging sea conditions.

Background of the Integration

The integration process is a result of a multi-year task order awarded by the US Navy in September 2021, aimed at providing maritime Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) services on two ddgs.

Capabilities of the Aerosonde

The Aerosonde is designed for multiple missions and boasts over 550,000 flight hours, demonstrating its reliability and effectiveness. When integrated with the ship’s combat systems, it can deliver full-motion video both day and night, conduct wide-area surveillance, facilitate communications relay, and gather signals intelligence, among other functions. This expeditionary platform operates on a heavy fuel engine and is capable of point takeoff and landing, which minimizes disruption to the ship’s operations.

Expert Insights on the Mission

“This flight marks a pivotal moment in expanding the Aerosonde’s maritime operational capabilities. Currently deployed on the expeditionary sea base ship USS Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams (ESB-4), we are eager to see how Unmanned Systems enhance the Navy’s essential missions worldwide,” stated Wayne Prender, Senior Vice President of Air Systems. “the system’s extended endurance makes it an optimal choice for maritime ISR operations, search and rescue missions, and various other tasks, providing the US Navy with improved real-time situational awareness anytime and anywhere.”