Textron Systems Expands Unmanned Systems Service & Support Center
Expanded Training and Service Facility Will Continue to Support Aerosonde™ SUAS Operations
Textron Systems Unmanned Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) business, announced today the construction completion and grand opening of the company’s new unmanned aircraft system (UAS) training and maintenance facility, the Unmanned Systems Service & Support Center, in Blackstone, Va. To celebrate the opening of the expanded Unmanned Systems Service & Support Center, Textron Systems hosted tours and held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the facility. Attendees also watched as the company demonstrated the Aerosonde™ Small Unmanned Aircraft System, as well as the Shadow® M2 – which both operate under Federal Aviation Administration Certificates of Authorization (COA) at the facility.
With assistance from the Virginia Tech Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership, which obtained the COA for aeronautical research, as well as UAV Pro, Textron Systems is moving its training and global service facility from its original location on Fort Pickett, Va., to a new, larger and comprehensive Unmanned Systems Service and Support Center. The new facility will continue to house the company’s schoolhouse for operators and maintainers, as well as the sustainment operations for its Aerosonde SUAS. The facility also supports research on UAS integration into national airspace through its COAs for the Aerosonde SUAS and Shadow M2.
Located on the Allen C. Perkinson Airport/Blackstone Army Airfield taxiway, the new 14,700 square-foot facility will span across two buildings and expand Textron Systems’ space by approximately 1,700 square feet. The new facility includes three classrooms with capacity for 12 students in each, as well as two simulator rooms that can operate up to 12 total flight simulators. The facilities also include an engine test cell, air vehicle test cell, along with space for air vehicle assembly, composite and engine maintenance, repair and operations. The new facilities also have access to the airport for UAS operations directly outside the facility doors. Additionally, the buildings have an expandable and modular design that allow for growth with business and product changes.
“The grand opening of a larger Unmanned Systems Service & Support Center is important to us because the UAS industry is growing – and we are excited to expand our location to accommodate this growth,” says Textron Systems Unmanned System Senior Vice President and General Manager Bill Irby. “With this expansion, we have the opportunity to train more operators, maintain additional UAS and continue our research on integrating UAS into national airspace.”
Textron Systems’ highly reliable and multi-mission capable Aerosonde SUAS has amassed more than 130,000 flight hours in commercial and military operations around the world. Among these are scientific and meteorological missions, from the eye of hurricane Noel, to amassing more than 1,300 flight hours over the Arctic and Antarctica. The system incorporates the purpose-built Lycoming EL-005 engine for benchmark-setting reliability and performance. The Aerosonde system is a true multi-mission capable UAS that offers the ability to simultaneously support electro optical/infrared full motion video, communications relay, Automatic Identification Systems, and Electronic Warfare variant payloads from a single sortie.
Building upon a family of UAS with nearly one million flight hours, the Shadow M2 is the next-generation variant of the combat proven Shadow 200 Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS). The Shadow M2 adds new features for even greater multi-mission capability and performance. The Shadow M2 offers line of site (LOS) and beyond line of site (BLOS) data links, extended flight endurance, greater payload volume, flexible mission payload configuration options, and a larger displacement water cooled engine. The Shadow M2 offers a unique blend of strategic capabilities from a tactical mission posture.
Media Contact:
Ashlyn Brodeur
Textron Systems
978-657-2020
PublicRelations@textronsystems.com
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems’ businesses develop and integrate products, services and support for aerospace and defense customers, as well as civil and commercial customers including those in law enforcement, security, border patrol and critical infrastructure protection around the globe. Harnessing agility and a broad base of expertise, Textron Systems’ innovative businesses design, manufacture, field and support comprehensive solutions that expand customer capabilities and deliver value. Textron Systems consists of its Advanced Information Solutions, Electronic Systems, Geospatial Solutions, Lycoming Engines, Marine & Land Systems, Support Solutions, TRU Simulation + Training, Unmanned Systems and Weapon & Sensor Systems businesses. More information is available at www.textronsystems.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna, Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training. For more information visit: www.textron.com.
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