CHARLOTTE, N.C., 16 May 2009. General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products and Elbit Systems of America LLC have formed a new company, UAS Dynamics LLC, to provide unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to the Department of Defense (DOD) and other potential U.S. government customers through programs such as the U.S. Marine Corps' Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (STUAS)/Tier II program.

UAS Dynamics will offer solutions based on advanced, mature UAS designs that have accumulated more than 150,000 operational flight hours to date: the combat-proven Hermes and Skylark systems, developed, and fielded by Elbit Systems Ltd. UAS Dynamics will adapt those designs to incorporate new technologies that use U.S. engineering, technology, manufacturing, and logistics resources to field and satisfy evolving U.S. requirements.

The new platforms will provide intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities and will range in size and scope from handheld and tactical-level systems to medium altitude, long-endurance systems.

"UAS Dynamics is an American company positioned to address U.S. defense requirements with operationally proven systems that have been modified, manufactured, and supported locally," says Doug Tobiassen, president of UAS Dynamics.

The joint venture is equally owned by General Dynamics and Elbit Systems of America and will be located in Fort Mill, S.C.