Rockwell Collins flight controls selected for SnowGoose UAV

15th June 2009 - 15:55 GMT | by The Shephard News Team

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Mist Mobility Integrated Systems Technology (MMIST) has selected Rockwell Collins to provide its Athena 411 flight control and navigation system for the CQ-10A SnowGoose unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Flight tests are planned for late summer.

The SnowGoose cargo UAV is a multi-purpose aerial platform that autonomously delivers up to 575 lb of cargo to up to six individual locations, including medical aid, food and water. The UAV can be ground-launched from a truck or trailer, or air-launched directly from a C-130 or C-17 aircraft.

'Our unique control design methodology leverages control laws for handling flight anomalies and achieves the highest possible performance without compromising vehicle safety,' said Ron Hornish, vice-president and general manager of precision strike solutions for Rockwell Collins. 'With the proven technology of our Athena 411 flight control system, we can eliminate uncertainties, reduce time to market and lower the overall programme life cycle cost.'

The Athena 411 will play an important role in the SnowGoose upgrade programme.

'The Athena 411 meets requirements for MMIST’s SnowGoose upgrade programme, which involves replacing the parachute "wing" with an autogyro rotor head and rear stabilising system and replacing the Airborne Guidance Unit with an improved flight control system,” explained David Vos, senior director of control technologies for Rockwell Collins.

Developed for both unmanned aerial systems and military applications, the Athena 411 is a highly reliable, strap-down system that provides attitude and heading measurements with accuracy that is superior to traditional inertial navigation systems.

The system integrates solid-state gyros and accelerometers, magnetometer, GPS receiver and air data sensors into a single small unit.