Alenia Sky-X UCAV
17 August 2006
Challenge
Italy's Alenia Aeronautica needed a full flight control and navigation system for its new Sky-X Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV). The Sky-X, one of the first European UCAV development programs designed for strategic reconnaissance, surveillance and combat missions, is powered by a single jet engine, that is capable of speeds up to 440 knots, can climb above 30,000 ft and perform high-g maneuvers.
Solution
Athena provided Alenia with our field tested and proven GuideStarTM 311 flight control system with integrated sensor suite to support the Sky-X program. The GS-311 includes integrated flight control hardware with embedded mission management and navigation software. In addition to providing the GuideStar, Athena utilized our LTI'zation patented control design technology process, applying the proven process to the Sky-X's specific vehicle characteristics. Leveraging this process and the GuideStar product is the formula for success in all of Athena's unmanned vehicle customer programs.
Results
The Sky-X subscale technology demonstrator was developed and flown within 18 months, successfully completing Phase I of the Sky-X development program.
