IAI, SNC to develop tactical VTOL UAS
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to support the development of a new tactical vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) UAS for the US military market, IAI announced on 17 July.
The VTOL UAS will be designed to give forward-positioned units the ability to deploy expeditionary wide-area UAS ISR assets in harsh environments without needing access to a runway, while providing increased safety and reduced risk throughout the range of operations and mission locations.
The product under the agreement will be manufactured, operated and maintained in the US. As the prime contractor, SNC will be responsible for the overall system integration and will lead the US marketing efforts in support of direct sales and long-term lease opportunities.
Shaul Shahar, IAI EVP and general manager of the Military Aircraft Group, said: ‘I am confident that SNC's leading engineering expertise and strong US foothold combined with IAI's experience and leadership with unmanned systems, including VTOL, will create a high-quality American system to meet the market's growing needs.’
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