First Army I-GNAT ER UAS Achieves 10,000 Flight Hours
The I-GNAT ER/Sky Warrior Alpha aircraft. |
by Staff Writers
National Harbor MD (SPX) Apr 10, 2008
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems has announced that a U.S. Army UAS has reached a record 10,000 flight hours on a single aircraft. The milestone was achieved by two different Army I-GNAT ER aircraft, AI-001 and AI-1005, within days of each other while performing combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
"The I-GNAT ER/Sky Warrior Alpha aircraft that we deliver to the U.S. Army offer tremendous support to combat forces operating in Iraq and Afghanistan on a daily basis and continue to boast the highest full-mission capability rates of any operational Army UAS," said Thomas J. Cassidy, Jr., president, Aircraft Systems Group, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.
"I don't believe that any other all-electric, composite aircraft can lay claim to this remarkable achievement. This is truly a testament to the reliability and durability, as well as the operational flexibility, of this UAS series."
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