HUNT VALLEY, Md., 29 July 2005. AAI Corp., the defense subsidiary of United Industrial Corp., has received a $129 million award from the U.S. Army for 12 additional Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (TUAV) systems.
The additional 12 systems, which include 48 advanced RQ-7B air vehicles, 24 ground control stations, and associated components and support equipment, will be delivered over the next 18 months.
Shadow TUAVs are a mainstay of tactical unmanned system surveillance and reconnaissance operations in support of U.S. and allied forces in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and other global operations.
Since being deployed to Iraq at the outset of military operation in early 2003, Shadow TUAV systems have flown more than 9,300 sorties and 37,000 flight hours in support of U.S. and allied operations in OIF.
"This order for additional Shadow systems is another major endorsement of the tactical and strategic impact that Shadow air vehicles and ground control stations provide to U.S. Army and National Guard forces," said Frederick M. Strader, president and CEO of United Industrial and AAI Corp.
Since December 1999, when the U. S. Army selected AAI to be the Shadow TUAV system prime contractor, the company has received awards for the production of 55 Shadow systems, bringing to 220 the total number of air vehicles ordered. Thirty-one systems have thus far been delivered, with system deliveries now extending through November 2006.
In addition to the production of Shadow TUAV systems, AAI's TUAV support operations include services for fielded and deployed U.S. Army TUAV units.
United Industrial Corp. is a company focused on the design, production, and support of defense systems. Its products and services include unmanned aerial vehicle systems, test and simulation systems, automated aircraft test and maintenance equipment, and logistical/engineering services. The company also manufactures combustion equipment for biomass and refuse fuels. For more information, see www.unitedindustrial.com or www.aaicorp.com.
