Rockwell Collins this Tuesday its Athena family of flight control and navigation systems recently exceeded 1 million flight hours on several unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) performing surveillance operations primarily in the Middle East.
“Due to the high quality of these guidance systems, Rockwell Collins’ control and navigation solutions are on more UAV platforms than any other, enabling coalition forces to successfully fly reconnaissance missions in theater,” said David Vos, senior director of UAS and Rockwell Collins Control Technologies. “When in redundant configurations, and using add-on software such as Damage Tolerance Control, these systems ensure UAVs are reliable enough to fly in shared airspace.”
Rockwell Collins Athena systems include solid-state gyros and accelerometers, magnetometer, GPS receiver, air data sensors and optional flight control software integrated into units ranging from as small as 4 ounces to 9 pounds. These systems provide navigation, attitude and heading measurements.