US CBP flight software includes ATLC
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has integrated General Atomics Aeronautical Systems’ (GA-ASI’s) Automatic Take-off and Landing Capability (ATLC) system into the latest flight software for its Predator B/ Guardian UAS fleet.
The newly-released flight software follows the upgrade of the CBP’s Predator/Guardian fleet. The ATLC system – originally built for the US Army’s Gray Eagle UAS - is designed to increase safety and efficiency of air crews.
GA-ASI is also currently equipping CBP's Predator B aircraft fleet with its heavyweight Trailing Arm Main Landing Gear (TAMLG). Work is expected to be completed by December 2016.
Linden Blue, CEO, GA-ASI, said: ‘We are very pleased that CBP has integrated this new capability for its Predator B/ Guardian aircraft, upgrading it with a mission-proven ATLC system that provides significant efficiencies through reduced pilot workload and streamlined training.
‘The incorporation of ATLC also will improve Predator B's landing precision and safety by reducing the number of hard landings due to environmental factors.’
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