MORGANTOWN, W.Va., 22 Dec. 206.Augusta Systems, a provider of sensor system technologies, was awarded a $750,000 contract to assist the U.S. Army with the development of advanced power control systems for robotic vehicles. Under a contract from the Army's Aviation Applied Technology Directorate, Augusta Systems will provide sensor-enabling technologies as part of a larger effort to integrate fuel cell power systems into unmanned vehicles.
"Our technologies will provide the sensor-driven control mechanisms for the vehicle's power control system, as well as enable rapid development of sensors systems for use in vehicle platform testing" says Pat Esposito, chief executive officer of Augusta Systems.
The Army's Aviation Applied Technology Directorate is part of the Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center. Augusta Systems will serve as a subcontractor to American Science and Technology Corp. on the effort. Other project contractors include Chicago State University and Argonne National Laboratory.
"Numerous unmanned vehicles have been deployed in recent years," said Ali Manesh, chief executive officer of American Science and Technology Corp. "As the complexity and duration of missions increase for these robotic vehicles, they will need a more independent and longer-lasting source of power. Our goal is to make these unmanned systems more efficient and effective through the use of advanced power systems."
Augusta Systems' technologies will enable streamlined development of the new power control systems for this effort, as well as enhance vehicle platform testing through rapid sensor system development. The company has also assisted the U.S. Navy with unmanned vehicle sensor systems, providing technologies that deliver at-point sensor processing, at-point data filtering, communications, and rapid data alignment from diverse sensor sources.
