| Press Release: September 4, 2007 |
SNC Leads Autonomous Airborne Refueling Demonstration Program to Sparks, Nevada (September 4 th , 2007) – Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) announced today that the DARPA sponsored Autonomous Airborne Refueling Demonstration (AARD) Program has reached a successful and recordsetting conclusion after a 26month effort. As the prime contractor to DARPA, SNC worked closely with both DARPA and NASA Dryden to successfully complete this revolutionary R&D effort that resulted in over 45 fully autonomous probe to drogue engagements including the recordsetting, firstever fully autonomous probe to drogue engagement on August 30 th , 2006 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. between a NASA Dryden F/A18 and an Omega Air 707. Following the recordsetting engagement, numerous additional flights were conducted to optimize the AAR system performance in turbulence and turns. Utilizing SNC’s precision navigation and control techniques and advanced drogue motion compensation, the optimal final AAR configuration resulted in a 100 percent effective plug rate during 18 attempts in a variety of conditions. Fuel was routinely transferred to the F/A18 during the flight test program in straight and level conditions as well as turns. Mr. Greg Cox, Corporate Vice President of SNC’s CNS/ATM Business Area remarked that “according to DARPA, autonomous inflight refueling is a critical enabler for affordable, persistent unmanned strike systems and this demonstration program verified that the AAR technology is ready, working, and available to provide autonomous airborne refueling capability to a variety of unmanned air systems.” Cox went on to say that “the AAR technology also has tremendous safety applications in the manned aircraft arena by dramatically reducing pilot workload during refueling operation especially when the crews are tired or are in adverse weather.” The AAR system utilizes an SNC developed blended relative GPS/INS solution that also
incorporates optical tracker technology from teammate Octec Ltd. The GPS/INS solution
provides primary guidance during the approach and departure to the drogue as well as the
stationkeeping
function throughout the entire autonomous refueling engagement. The optical
tracker solutions are brought into play during the final closure to the drogue phase of the
engagement. The AAR system was installed on both a NASA Dryden F/A18
(functioning as the Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) headquartered in Sparks, Nevada, is a fast growing innovative and agile technology solutions corporation focusing on system integration electronics engineering; manufacturing; and aircraft modification. Our current focus is to specialize in the integration; design; development; installation; and servicing of complex airborne, ground, and ship-based systems for the U.S. Government, its prime contractors, and international customers. SNC is a privately-held, woman owned business with a strong, stable and debt-free financial foundation that provides flexible low-risk and strong financial performance for our customers. We have invested heavily over the years in experienced people, modern facilities, and the state-of-the-art equipment needed to enhance our capabilities, development efforts to our customer’s technical advantage. SNC has over 1000 employees with 24 locations in 15 states across the United States. SNC Enterprise Business Areas: |
