AAI Corporation - U.S. Army Shadow Tactical UAS

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Challenge: AAI Corporation is the prime contractor for the U.S. Army's Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), known as Shadow. Prior to the Shadow becoming fully operational, AAI was evaluating the replacement of their existing flight control system. AAI knew that going forward, in order to accommodate the compact size of the Shadow's fuselage, they needed a flight control system that was smaller and lower in cost, with the highest possible level of reliability and performance. They turned to Athena Technologies, now part of Rockwell Collins.

Solution: As pioneers in flight control and navigation systems for UAS, we are continually evaluating the next generation of controls technology and avionics. The Athena family of autonomous vehicle control and integrated sensor suite systems range in size from a cigar box (Athena-311 and Athena-211) to a small cell phone (Athena 111m and GuS). Our sensors are fully integrated and enclosed in a sturdy casing, offering greater stability and reliability. AAI chose the Athena 211e, or as AAI calls the system – the Avionics Common Equipment II or “ACE-II.” The smaller size of the 211e provides the Shadow with more payload and endurance capability.

With every program, we apply proven and patented controls design technology – “Feedback LTI'zation” – and adapt it to a given vehicle's requirements and characteristics. Key considerations for each vehicle are aero and mass properties, servo characteristics, and engine/propulsion performance.

Results: Our long term relationship with AAI, working to offer the best possible solution to the U.S. Army with the Shadow, has resulted in hundreds of thousands of flight hours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Shadow is one of the largest TUAS programs utilized by the DoD today and will remain so in the future. Athena's contribution of the 211e (Ace-II) product and controls design technology enabled AAI to significantly reduce the overall costs of developing and operating the Shadow.

In November 2005, AAI was honored with winning the Secretary of Defense Performance-Based Logistics Award for Mission Success in the Global War on Terrorism. The success of the Shadow TUAS team, according to the Defense Department award statement, was demonstrated in the significant number of successful sorties flown to support the Global War on Terrorism. Shadow systems met all operational readiness/availability, weapon system availability, and mission success requirements, according to the statement. Our flight control systems and expertise contributed to the Shadow's accomplishments.