New Developments in Unmanned Aerial Systems: Alpha 900 Contract Awarded

Rapid Expeditionary Concepts (REC), a system integrator based in the United States, has secured a important contract from the Department of Defense (DoD) for the acquisition of Alpha 900 unmanned helicopter systems produced by Alpha Unmanned Systems, SL. This contract encompasses integration, testing, evaluation, and deployment of these advanced aerial systems.

Integration of Advanced Technologies

As part of this initiative, REC will integrate a specialized electro-optical sensor designed for counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) operations. Alongside the complete integrated solution, REC and Alpha will offer deployment and training support, utilizing the Alpha 900 in a collaborative operational evaluation set too take place over the next two years under the auspices of the DoD.

Complete C5ISR Solutions

REC specializes in delivering comprehensive command,Control,Communications,Computers,Cyber,Intelligence,Surveillance,and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) solutions.The company focuses on integrating elegant payloads and sensors across various manned and unmanned platforms for applications in land, maritime, and aerial environments.

Proven Track Record in Defense Technology

With a robust history of adapting commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) technologies for diverse clients in defense, energy, and special operations, REC excels at transforming operational requirements into technical solutions. This capability is crucial for addressing the evolving threats posed by both advanced and improvised unmanned systems across air, sea, and land domains, notably with the Alpha 900.

Specifications and versatility of the Alpha 900

Weighing in at just 55 pounds, the Alpha 900 UAV is celebrated for it’s extraordinary autonomous flight duration of up to four hours, along with a payload capacity of 8.5 pounds. These small, fuel-powered helicopters are capable of automated take-offs and landings on moving platforms, making them suitable for a wide range of applications, including maritime security, power line inspections, mapping, and precision agriculture.

Expert Insights on Program Execution

Dr.Paul Kuttner,PhD,the Program Director,stated,“Our extensive experience in enhancing efficiencies and delivering optimal value for users by minimizing total cost,size,weight,and power (C-SWaP) of subsystems for unmanned aircraft aligns perfectly with this requirement. Our team has been engaged in the design, integration, and deployment of Group 1-5 unmanned aerial systems for many years, and we are confident in our ability to execute this program seamlessly. Additionally, we can leverage our operational expertise to create training materials and documentation that resonate with real-world users, ensuring operational success. We are eager to collaborate with the DoD and Alpha in this project and anticipate numerous future successes utilizing the versatile and efficient Alpha 900 to meet the dynamic demands of various operational theaters.”

Commitment to Collaboration and Innovation

Eric Freeman, CEO of Alpha, expressed enthusiasm about supporting the U.S. Government, stating, “We are thrilled that our reliable products meet the stringent requirements of this project. We aim to establish a long-term partnership with the U.S. Government and assist other Spanish companies with innovative technologies in entering the world’s largest technology marketplace.”

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