No Hiding From Blacklight
On August 4, 2009 Mission Technologies Inc., San Antonio Tx and ImSAR Inc., Salem, UT, completed the integration and initial test flight of the Blacklight Small Unmanned Aerial System (SUAS) with the NanoSAR (Nano Synthetic Aperture Radar) payload.
During the test flight, radar images were transmitted to the ground station displaying in-flight imagery. Utilizing Mission Technologies' unique Twinwing design, the Blacklight configuration reduces the overall aircraft drag and structural weight while maintaining the design's inherent high wind stability and payload capacity.
The Blacklight Air Vehicle features interchangeable modular payloads, high resolution sensors with full pan/tilt/zoom capability and the ability to silently glide unnoticed over sensitive targets.
Blacklight has a demonstrated endurance of 3 hours with rechargeable and 4 ½ hours with disposable batteries giving the system unmatched time over target in a UAV of this size.
The NanoSAR weighs two pounds which includes the navigation system, antennas, cabling, real-time processor and RF front end. While other SAR platforms weigh as much as a motorcycle engine (50-200 lbs) and cost their weight in gold, NanoSAR meets the size, weight, power, and cost requirements of small UAVs.
NanoSAR makes SAR technology available to tactical warfighters, providing them with immediate actionable intelligence that wins battles and saves lives.
When conditions limit the use of EO/IR sensors, a Blacklight with a NanoSAR payload can penetrate through fog, smoke, rain, sand, light camouflage, and night time conditions.
Beverly Cox, President and CEO stated: "The Blacklight UAV represents the next generation SUAS and enables Mission Technologies to continue its emphasis on developing and providing the assets required to keep our warfighters out of harms way, both now and in the future."
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