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Robonic To Launch UAV Test Flight Centre In Finland
Kemijarvi, Finland (SPX) Sep 13, 2005 Robonic of Finland is to establish a dedicated UAV test flight centre at Kemijarvi, Finland. This new centre will support development, test and evaluation, and operational training for ground launched targets and tactical UAV's. The facilities will include support for both catapult and runway launched air vehicles. Robonic Managing Director Mr Juha Moisio says the initiative reflects the rapid development of the unmanned air vehicles marketplace globally. "UAV's are poised to become one of the powerhouse segments of the global aerospace and defence industries. This new range will provide Europe with a dedicated UAV test and training facility that can support year round operations in an extremely wide range of climate conditions". The range will be located just inside the Artic Circle. The Kemijarvi airfield, located some 90km east of the town of Rovaniemi, already has a 1200m runway and basic airfield infrastructure that supports year round civil and military flying operations. The range area in the initial phase will comprise of some 1000 to 1500 square kilometres of air space. The air space in the test region is uncontrolled i.e. class G airspace. With the UAV test flights will be conducted in segregated airspace. Robonic has been working closely with Finnish regional and national authorities, both civil and military, over the past year to secure all necessary approvals for the range development programme. "The Finnish authorities have provided high level support for this new initiative" Moisio said. "With the congested air space of Central and Western Europe already constraining UAV operations, we believe this new open environment will provide an important stimulus to development of unmanned air system by the European aerospace and defence industries". "We anticipate everything going as planned that we will be able to have the first test flights at Kemijarvi in the spring of 2006" Robonic will operate the facility as a complete turnkey service for clients. This will include supporting applications to the FCAA on behalf of potential clients for necessary permits to facilitate flight operations. Longer term development options include using the range for civil and military UAV pilot training and systems integration development testing. Related Links Robonic Kemijarvi SpaceDaily Search SpaceDaily Subscribe To SpaceDaily Express 
Aerosonde Awarded USAF Weatherscout Contract
Guam (SPX) Sep 13, 2005UAV manufacturer Aerosonde has been awarded a Foreign Comparative Testing contract worth almost US$700,000 by the US Air Force (USAF) to undertake trials to meet weather reconnaissance requirements for tropical storms as well as military targeting and training. |
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