First Flight Of The Next-Gen Vertical Takeoff UAV

Posted on: Sep. 4th, 2005 || Source: defencetalk.com | E-mail Article | Print Article

Los Angeles CA: BAE Systems recently achieved a successful first flight of its third-generation vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle at its Southern California flight test facility.

The newly designed IAV2 air vehicle forms the basis of BAE Systems' latest reconnaissance and surveillance configuration air vehicle. BAE Systems is pursuing customers such as the U.S. Marine Corps, Special Forces, Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Forestry Service to integrate sensor packages onto the air vehicle.

The first flight of the IAV2 marked the start of BAE Systems' flight test program of the aerial vehicle. The flight test took place in 103-degree heat, equivalent to more than 6,000 feet of density altitude, and 5- to 10-knot winds. The flight was conducted with a simulated payload of approximately 20 pounds.

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