Team GoldenEye's system will give company commanders a self-contained capability to collect and act on intelligence, surveillance and targeting data in the quickly changing battlefield environment. GoldenEye-OAV is a possible candidate to fill the Class II unmanned aircraft requirement in the Army's Future Combat System by supporting company-sized (100 soldier) units.

Team GoldenEye is led by Aurora Flight Sciences and includes General Dynamics Robotic Systems and Northrop Grumman.

"By coupling GoldenEye's speed, endurance and low observable characteristics with General Dynamics' proven collision avoidance and command-and-control systems, we crafted the system commanders need today," said Aurora Flight Sciences President John Langford.

"GoldenEye's advanced payloads will increase commanders' situational awareness while the aircraft's low acoustic signature and form factor will prevent detection."

GoldenEye-OAV is the latest in Aurora's GoldenEye line of ducted fan unmanned aircraft. The GoldenEye aircraft lift off vertically like a helicopter and then transition to high-speed wingborne flight like a fixed winged aircraft. At the target, the aircraft can return to hover flight and observe an area of interest.

For longer periods of observation, the aircraft can land, or 'perch,' shut off its engine and watch an area for extended periods. Unlike a helicopter, the GoldenEye aircraft feature an enclosed propeller that increases operator safety, reduces the aircraft's acoustic signature and increases aircraft survivability during urban operations.

General Dynamics Robotic Systems (GDRS) is teamed with Aurora to design and integrate complex technologies for the OAV's collision avoidance system, EO/IR sensor systems and data links.

GDRS is also providing the scalable Thor Warfighter Machine Interface as the OAV's ground control station, which presents the vehicle and sensor payload as a cohesive package to operators, closely aligning soldiers with their reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA) objectives.

"We are pleased to support Aurora on this critical UAS effort with our advanced ladar and Warfighter Machine Interface technologies," said GDRS President Scott Myers. "By leveraging our Army Research Lab and FCS related developments, we hope to offer critical OAV subsystems that make the GoldenEye an essential tool for company commanders on the battlefield."

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