The Aerosonde® unmanned aircraft system (UAS) offers an impressive endurance of more than 30 hours (with a minimal payload). In fact, it was the first UAS to cross the Atlantic Ocean, a feat achieved as early as 1998.
This impressive endurance, as well as the aircraft’s flexibility and affordability, make it an ideal choice for remote data collection and reconnaissance missions for military, civil, and scientific entities. The aircraft employs a catapult system to take off from small, remote clearings, and also can launch from the roof of a fast-moving ground vehicle.
With these capabilities, the Aerosonde aircraft has accumulated several significant flight milestones including:
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In 2007, it was the first UAS to penetrate the eye of a hurricane. Under a program administered by NASA and the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Aerosonde aircraft flew a mission of more than 17 hours, a record 7.5 of which were spent navigating Hurricane Noel’s eye and boundary layer.
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During 2006, the aircraft set a world flight endurance record in its class by remaining in flight without refueling for more than 38 hours.
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As part of AAI’s UAS business unit, the Aerosonde aircraft is integrated into AAI’s interoperability network of common ground control technologies including the One System® Ground Control Station and One System Remote Video Terminal. These platforms enable military customers to utilize both the Aerosonde aircraft and AAI’s Shadow® UAS in support of their missions.
Learn more about the aircraft in this section under “Product Development History” and “Services."
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