Textron Systems’ Aerosonde UAS Achieves Milestone Flight on USS Miguel Keith
Textron Systems has announced a significant achievement with its Aerosonde Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) successfully completing its inaugural operational flight aboard the USS Miguel Keith, also known as ESB 5. This milestone follows a contract awarded in October 2022 by the US Navy’s Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), which aims to enhance unmanned aviation capabilities on the vessel for a duration of up to five years.
Enhanced ISR Capabilities for Military Operations
The Aerosonde UAS is set to deliver advanced Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) services, featuring improved mission payloads that will be utilized on the ESB 5. This vessel plays a crucial role in various military and aviation operations as part of the Forward Deployed Naval force.
Collaboration with Onboard Personnel
Field Service Representatives (FSR) from Textron Systems will collaborate closely with the crew of the ESB 5, providing essential support for a wide array of maritime missions.
Contributions to Maritime Awareness
Wayne Prender, Senior Vice President of Air Systems, emphasized the importance of the unmanned aircraft system in enhancing maritime domain awareness and mission effectiveness. “The operational presence of the Aerosonde system aboard the ship acts as a remote sensor, extending our reach beyond the horizon and enabling consistent multi-INT ISR operations. This exemplifies the advantages of integrating unmanned systems with manned vessels,” he stated.
Versatile Design for Diverse Operations
The Aerosonde UAS is engineered for both land and sea operations in challenging environments and can be outfitted with various payload configurations. It currently supports four US navy ships, including the USS Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams (ESB 4) and two DDG-class destroyers, in addition to the USS Miguel Keith.
Proven Track Record
With over 600,000 flight hours logged, the Aerosonde UAS has proven its reliability and effectiveness while serving numerous US clients and international partners.
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