Dynetics claims ‘major step forward’ with latest Gremlins test
After a delay due to the global COVID-19 pandemic, Leidos subsidiary Dynetics successfully tested a second X-61A Gremlins Air Vehicle (GAV) plus airborne recovery system in July at the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, the company revealed on 26 August.
‘We have taken a major step forward towards accomplishing airborne recovery, and we are ever so close to achieving it,’ said Tim Keeter, programme manager for the Dynetics Gremlins team.
Tests for the DARPA focused on risk reduction, as well as system and subsystem performance verification, in preparation for an airborne recovery test later in 2020.
The test series involved all segments of the Gremlins demonstration system, including GAVs, the launch and recovery system, the airborne operator control station and the Gremlins C3 system.
The overarching goal of the Gremlins programme, which is managed by the DARPA Tactical Technology Office, is to demonstrate aerial launch and recovery of multiple low-cost reusable UASs.
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