First Flight Of Skyeye 350 Aerial Surveillance Aircraft

Air Force News — By Editor on October 21, 2009 at 6:15 am

(1 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5)

Loading ...

Scottsdale AZ: Aerial Surveillance Systems has announced the SkyEye 350 Hawker Beechcraft King Air 350-based aerial surveillance aircraft successfully completed its first flight on September 30th.

"We successfully demonstrated the capability of our aerial surveillance aircraft and are very pleased with the SkyEye 350's performance," said Michael D. Long, director of international sales for Aerial Surveillance Systems.

"Our team is now focusing on the next development phases and demonstrations, in order to provide this critical capability to our Warfighters as soon as possible."

FLIR Systems' BRITE Star II was selected to be the electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) targeting sensor for the SkyEye 350. The BRITE Star II is the latest generation of the combat-proven laser designation system. Its range performance, sensor combination, and program record make it the low-risk choice for reliable, long-range target designation.

With a 100% duty cycle, diode-pumped laser rangefinder/designator and in-flight boresighting, the system is capable of being the eyes for any fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter or unmanned aerial vehicle. The BRITE Star II is currently fielded on the MQ-8B Fire Scout Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and the UH-1Y utility helicopter.

The specially modified EO/IR sensor package will capture stabilized high-magnification images that allow the SkyEye 350 to provide a wide range of low-medium-high-altitude tactical missions and long-range covert surveillance operation
capabilities.

FLIR Systems has more than 3,600 sensors in operation today, on over 100 different types of fixed-wing aircraft, helicopter, unmanned aerial vehicle and ship platforms in more than 75 countries around the world.

The SkyEye 350 is the most technologically advanced aerial surveillance platform in the world at its cost point. The aircraft is being offered at as a turnkey, COTS, user-friendly, exportable platform to the US DoD, international and foreign government customers and is available now with the shortest available delivery lead-time in the industry.