Worldwide Aeros starts producing 40E 'Sky Dragon'
Worldwide Aeros has completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) and started production of its 40E 'Sky Dragon' lighter-than-air (LTA) airship, the company announced on 20 February.
With the production process taking place on schedule, the airship will likely be completed later in 2015 and enter service following type certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Tim Kenny, director of engineering, Aeros, said: 'During the recent CDR, Aeros' technical experts from engineering, production and quality control found that the aircraft design was sound, met desired safety levels and demonstrated new system integration successfully.'
The third-generation Sky Dragon airship will succeed the 40B and 40D for enhanced multi-role mission capabilities and surveillance/reconnaissance support. The 40E builds on the 40D's performance strengths and improves on accommodation, operational enhancements and pilot/ passenger improvements.
The 40E Sky Dragon is aimed at addressing the demand for a flexible airship with lower operating costs for supporting various security and ISR missions.
The airship features a flexible payload integration for radar, EO/IR and communications equipment. it has a useful payload capacity greater than one tonne, onboard data workstations or HD downlink for remote camera operation, advanced vectored propulsion and control, added safety features and enhanced landing gear design.
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training]()
Australia looks towards space with force restructure, investment and training
Australia is looking to improve its presence in space with a focus on communications and creating a dedicated segment of its defence forces committed to the domain.
-
![EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI]()
EID to unveil new vehicle communication system at DSEI
The Portuguese company’s naval communications system is in service across more than a dozen countries. It has turned to its home nation for support in developing a new vehicle based C2 system.
-
![Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker]()
Chess Dynamics successfully demonstrates Vision4ce AI-driven tracker
The Vision4ce Deep Embedded Feature Tracking (DEFT) technology software is designed to process video and images by blending traditional computer vision with artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms to present actionable information from complex environments.
-
![Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend]()
Wave Relay devices cleared for security use on commercial systems in industry trend
Persistent Systems has been cleared by National Security Agency (NSA) to transmit sensitive data on commercial networks. The devices are added to the NSA’s Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) component list which also includes other companies’ products providing the same security.
-
![UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release]()
UK teases cyber spending boost in Strategic Defence Review ahead of “imminent” release
The release of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) has been long promised as mid-year. It is possible it could be as early as 2 June although the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) continues to play its cards close to its chest.
-
![Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)]()
Intelsat emphasises SATCOM resilience for SOF in contested domains (video)
Intelsat outlines how its multi-orbit SATCOM architecture is enhancing connectivity and resilience for special operations forces operating in degraded and contested environments.
