Evergreen and Elbit assist with unique technology in Haitian relief

Evergreen's long history of providing humanitarian relief continued this week with its donated missions to survey rural orphanages in Haiti employing Elbit Systems' Skylark I LE Unmanned Aerial Vehicle. The team flew missions from the mountains of Haiti at 5,200 feet in the vicinity of Port-au-Prince.

Contact with many Haitian orphanages has still not been established because of the remote locations of the facilities. An incredible need still remains for humanitarian support in the area. Evergreen Unmanned Systems was supported by Elbit Systems of Israel, using its Skylark I LE System, to fly into these areas searching for signs of life. Evergreen Helicopters donated airlift support to position both teams into the region. This pioneering effort between Evergreen and Elbit to respond to the urgent need of the Haitian people has proven that such technology can provide a life saving humanitarian service. Never before has a commercial operator of unmanned systems accomplished what was achieved this week by the Evergreen-Elbit team.

The Elbit Systems Skylark I LE, which is carried by an individual person, can launch without use of a runway, search for survivors, document infrastructure damage and identify blocked roads. With a weight of 12.1 lbs and an operating time of up to three hours, the system is unlike any other technology ever used to aid humanitarian relief operations.

For 50 years, Evergreen has supported humanitarian efforts worldwide. Primarily providing aviation support for international relief projects, the company has partnered with other non-profit organizations, corporations and governmental agencies to assist developing countries. The organization has helped improve and deliver healthcare, eradicate disease and support economic development. These efforts have directly impacted vulnerable children and families worldwide.

Evergreen Unmanned Systems, along with the entire Evergreen Family of Companies, is working diligently to provide support for the Haitian population and other relief agencies.

Source: Elbit Systems