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38-659: It was developed jointly by AAI Corporation and Israel Aircraft Industries . The program grew out of successful testing and field operation of the Tadiran Mastiff UAV by the American and Israeli militaries. Essentially, the Pioneer is an upgraded IAI Scout which was re-engined to accommodate a greater payload by request of the US Navy. To accomplish this, the original "Limbach" two-cylinder two-stroke engine

76-509: A runway , the Pioneer recovers into a net (shipboard) or with arresting gear after flying up to five hours with a 75-pound (34 kg) payload. It flies day or night missions with a gimbaled EO/IR sensor, relaying analog video in real time via a C-band line-of-sight (LOS) data link. Since 1991, Pioneer has flown reconnaissance missions during the Persian Gulf , Somalia ( UNOSOM II ), Bosnia , Kosovo and Iraq conflicts. In 2005,

114-413: A comparable halon unit. Germany uses this system as a replacement for its halon system. Some systems, such as Germany's previous extinguisher, have a second shot of suppressant to mitigate re-ignition or the effects of a second hit. Though not as instantaneous, portable crew-operable extinguishers are also used inside and outside the vehicle. Typically, portable extinguishers use a CO 2 agent instead of

152-510: A dedicated passenger bay, able to carry up to a dozen or more passengers. Hygiene upkeep is difficult when operating a combat vehicle. Tracked combat vehicles are suited for heavy combat and rough terrain. Wheeled combat vehicles offer improved logistical mobility and optimized speeds on smooth terrain. Silent watch is becoming an increasingly important combat vehicle application. It is a role that requires that all mission requirements be met while keeping acoustic and infrared signature levels to

190-463: A highly realistic simulated environment utilizing an interactive 3-D virtual aircraft environment. This realistic, 3-D virtual vehicle environment, as well as 2-D panels and displays allow students to navigate throughout the F-35 aircraft during maintenance training and select the virtual support equipment and tools required. A real F-35 portable maintenance aid is connected at each student station, allowing

228-459: A minimum. For this reason, silent watch often requires the vehicle to operate without use of the main engine and sometimes even auxiliary engines. Many modern combat vehicles often have electronic equipment that cannot be supported solely with auxiliary batteries alone. Auxiliary fuel cells are a potential solution for covert operations. Force trackers are not as prevalent as in air forces, but are still essential components of combat vehicles. In

266-492: A weaponized vehicle in a combat environment are great. Use of titanium armor on combat vehicles is increasing. The use of titanium can lighten the vehicle's weight. Appliqué armor can be quickly applied to vehicles and has been utilized on a number of combat vehicles, such as the M8 armored gun system . Contemporary combat vehicles may incorporate a fire-suppression system to mitigate damage from fire. Systems can be employed in

304-530: A wholly owned subsidiary of United Industrial Corporation, AAI was acquired by Textron in 2007. It currently operates as a unit of Textron Systems and employs more than 2,000. AAI's products and services include unmanned aircraft and ground control technologies; training and simulation systems; automated aerospace test and maintenance equipment; armament systems; and logistical, engineering, supply chain and operational support services, multi-turreted tracked ground combat vehicles . The company's customers include

342-732: A wide variety of operational systems. The Logistics & Technical Services business unit also provides depot maintenance equipment and services to domestic and international military aviation customers. AAI's test systems are used by every branch of the U.S. military. The Joint Systems Electronic Combat Systems Tester is part of the DoD's family of testers and currently supports flight-line electronic warfare testing for several U.S. military aircraft. The company's Advanced Boresight Equipment systems are used to align avionics and weapons systems onboard military aircraft and helicopters. AAI also produces radar simulators that simulate varied threat signals to test

380-420: Is a very broad category, and may include armored cars , armored personnel carriers , infantry fighting vehicles , infantry mobility vehicles , MRAPs , and tanks . Improvised fighting vehicles such as technicals can also count as combat vehicles. Most modern combat vehicles have vehicle armor , offensive or defensive weaponry , and sufficient space to carry passengers , equipment , or materiel ; if

418-761: Is currently working on the U.S. Army's Lightweight Small Arms Technologies project. It has also developed the PDCue Gunshot Detection System and TDCue acoustic detection systems for the U.S. Army and Marine Corps. Ground combat vehicles A ground combat vehicle , also known as a land assault vehicle or simply a combat vehicle or an assault vehicle , is a land-based military vehicle intended to be used for combat operations. They differ from non-combat military vehicles such as trucks in that they are designed for use in active combat zones, to be used in mechanized warfare and mobile infantry roles. The classification of "combat vehicle"

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456-533: Is still registered as an active corporation in the State of Maryland under the name, AAI Corporation. AAI is one of a limited number of companies engaged in the design and full-rate production of a successfully fielded, operational unmanned aircraft system (UAS) for the DoD. AAI first began development work on the unmanned systems product line in 1985, winning a competitive fly-off with its Pioneer Remotely Piloted Vehicle. The company's unmanned aircraft systems include

494-650: Is the Aerosonde Mark 4.7 small unmanned aircraft system. In late 2009, AAI conducted a shipboard demonstration of the system aboard the M80 Stiletto ship. In September 2008, AAI announced that it had teamed with Aeronautics Ltd. to provide the Orbiter miniature UAS in selected markets. The company's One System Ground Control Station is fielded as part of the Shadow Tactical UAS, as well as

532-474: Is to be based on the Carter PAV . In 2014, Carter said they bought back the license from AAI and is seeking production partners outside USA. AAI was developing an RQ-7 Shadow , also with a Carter rotor on top for vertical take-off and landing , to fly in 2012. AAI also intends to use this technology as the basis for their proposal to DARPAs "Flying Humvee" Transformer program. In March 2019,

570-706: The Iowa -class battleship USS  Wisconsin  (BB-64) observed Iraqi troops on Failaka Island surrendering shortly after USS  Missouri ' s attack on their trenchlines. When navy officials offered to transfer a Pioneer to the Smithsonian Institution , curators at the National Air and Space Museum specifically asked for the UAV that Iraqi troops surrendered to during the Gulf War. In

608-528: The Bronze and Iron ages. However, weaponry was not installed on the vehicle, relying on the soldier's carried weapon for armament, and armor was effectively limited to a shield and the thin structure of the chariot, if those were even available or sufficient. With the invention of the automobile , combat vehicles took varying forms, ranging from the lightly armored passenger cars of the World War I era to

646-621: The Navy operated two Pioneer systems (one for training) and the Marines operated two, each with five or more aircraft. It is also operated by Israel and the Republic of Singapore Air Force . In 2007 Pioneer was retired by the US Navy and was replaced by the Shadow UAV . Internationally, Pioneer drones are perhaps most remembered for their role in the 1991 Gulf War , when a Pioneer launched by

684-538: The United States Department of Defense (DoD) and its prime contractors, allied foreign government ministries of defense, and other United States federal agencies. AAI Corporation originated as Aircraft Armaments, Inc. in August 1950, founded by six aviation and defense industry professionals. It was renamed AAI Corporation in the late 1950s. AAI's parent company, United Industrial Corporation (UIC),

722-568: The 1991 Gulf War, the US Army operated a UAV Platoon from Ft. Huachuca, Arizona. The UAV Platoon conducted flight surveillance and target acquisition missions from KKMC and later, the unit pushed north (Operation Sand Hawk) where US Army combat engineers built a metal runway for the aircraft to launch and recover. The "R" is the Department of Defense designation for reconnaissance; "Q" means unmanned aircraft system. The "2" refers to its being

760-506: The One System Portable Ground Control Station and One System Remote Video Terminal. On 16 November 2009, AAI entered a 40-year exclusive license agreement with Carter Aviation Technologies concerning a possible autonomous slowed rotor/compound aircraft with potential for increased speed (250 knots) and range (1300 nautical miles) delivering 3000 pounds cargo, compared to traditional rotorcraft. It

798-564: The Shadow 200 Tactical UAS, which is designated RQ-7B by the U.S. Army, as well as the Shadow 400 and 600 systems. As of July, 2014, Shadow systems had accumulated more than 920,000 flight hours, with more than 90 percent of those hours in support of U.S. and allied combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The company's UAS capabilities expanded with the 2006 acquisition of Australian UAS manufacturer Aerosonde Pty. Ltd. This fleet's newest model

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836-470: The U.S. Army selected Martin UAV and AAI Corporation to "provide unmanned aircraft systems for platoons to try out as candidates to replace the Shadow tactical UAS ." The companies signed a contract for delivery over a three-year period. They will deliver systems to six platoons in order to evaluate them during combat and training rotations. The Army seeks better acoustics and runway independence as compared to

874-762: The design, production, and sustainment of maintenance training devices such as the C-17 Globemaster , the F-22 Raptor , and most recently, the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter. AAI modified and produced state-of-the-art, simulation-based maintenance training devices for the F-22 Raptor providing students with instruction in ground maintenance, aircraft servicing, and munitions loading. The armament training device provides hands-on skill development pertaining to

912-564: The engine and crew compartments and portable systems may be mounted inside and outside the vehicle as well. Automatic fire suppression systems activate instantaneously upon the detection of fire and have been shown to significantly improve crew survivability. Halon fire suppression systems quickly inundate an affected fire breach with a flood of halon to extinguish leaking fuel. Halon remains necessary for crew compartment fire suppression due to space and weight constraints, and toxicity concerns. Nitrogen systems take up about twice as much space as

950-435: The first two both apply, the vehicle may be considered an armored fighting vehicle . For much of history, most soldiers not fighting on foot (e.g. cavalry ) used military animals such as horses or elephants , as land vehicles for the most part did not exist. One of the earliest forms of "combat vehicles" was the chariot . In ancient warfare , chariots were used as "battle taxis" and mobile archery platforms during

988-533: The functionality of radar warning receivers and cockpit displays and controls. AAI acquired ESL Defence Limited in 2005. Based in the UK, ESL designs and manufactures electro-optical, infrared, and ultraviolet test and simulation/stimulation products for use on flight lines, in aircraft maintenance facilities, and at military test and evaluation ranges. AAI also provides functional automated test equipment for satellite, electronic and other systems. AAI has capabilities in

1026-453: The halon agents used in the past. CO 2 can become lethal to vehicle occupants if it accumulates into a deadly concentration. The U.S. Army has adopted a replacement formula consisting of 50% water , 50% potassium acetate . Alternatives such as powder formulas also exist. Combat vehicles require at least one crew member, though typically at least two (one driver and one gunner). Some vehicles, such as armored personnel carriers, also contain

1064-689: The landing gear systems, environmental control systems, hydraulics, and electrical and electronic warfare systems. The device supports nose and right main landing gear operation, and an operational arresting hook. The aft fuselage training device is a mock-up of the left side wing, horizontal stabilizer, vertical stabilizer, engine bay, forward engine bay door, and aft engine bay door, as well as numerous light systems and engine bay area components for removal and installation task training. The F-35 Lightning II aircraft system maintenance trainer provides student maintainers comprehensive training on ground operation, maintenance, fault isolation, and testing procedures in

1102-579: The mid-1990s, U.S. weapon developers envisioned a sophisticated communication network where positions of enemy and friendly forces could be relayed to command vehicles and other friendly vehicles. Friendly vehicles could transmit enemy positions to friendly combat vehicles in combat range for efficient annihilation of the enemy. Logistics support could also monitor front-line combat vehicle fuel and ammunition statuses and move in to resupply depleted vehicles. Weapons mounted on combat vehicles are primarily designed for engaging infantry or other combat vehicles at

1140-416: The old Shadow. The Army is expected to decide "over the course of fiscal 2020" whether it will proceed in replacing Shadow. AAI provides a variety of engineering, logistical, maintenance, repair and overhaul services for the company's own platforms as well as those of other original equipment manufacturers. Its customers include the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps, for which the company supports

1178-451: The removal, installation, inspection, operation, and checkout tasks of the gun, gun doors, left main weapons bay door system and launchers, left side weapons bay launcher, right wing pylon, partial fuel system, stores management system, and weapons safing system. The trainer uses real aircraft support equipment including munitions and the portable maintenance aid (PMA). The landing gear training device allows instruction on maintenance tasks on

AAI RQ-2 Pioneer - Misplaced Pages Continue

1216-473: The required crew size with improvements in robotics . Enhancements to automation can help achieve operational effectiveness with a smaller, more economical, combat vehicle force. The automation of combat vehicles has proved to be difficult due to the time latency between the operator controlling the vehicle and the signal being received. Unlike air forces, ground forces must navigate the terrain and plan around obstacles. The rapid tactical implications of operating

1254-515: The second of a series of purpose-built unmanned reconnaissance aircraft systems. Data from General characteristics Performance Avionics Dual Sensor (12DS/POP-200/POP-300) Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era Related lists AAI Corporation AAI Corporation is an aerospace and defense development and manufacturing firm, located in Hunt Valley, Maryland , US. Formerly

1292-427: The student to monitor the virtual aircraft functions, run diagnostics, and display technical and task documentation. AAI's training systems are utilized by U.S. and allied international military customers. Products include naval, electronic warfare, air defense, radar, and UAS training systems. AAI's Advanced Systems unit primarily investigates and responds to new and emerging customer needs and markets. The company

1330-475: The widely fielded Willys MB of World War II , along with a wide variety of other combat vehicles such as half-tracks and multiple classifications of tanks . Development of combat vehicles continued into the Cold War as military tactics and technology evolved, diversifying the role of vehicles in war and making them an essential aspect of modern warfare . The automation of human tasks endeavors to reduce

1368-645: Was acquired by AAI. Textron acquired AAI and other subsidiaries of UIC with its purchase of the parent company for approximately $ 1.1 billion in 2007. AAI became part of Textron's helicopter subsidiary, Bell Textron, in the acquisition. Today, AAI owns or occupies more than 1,100,000 square feet (100,000 m ) of office and manufacturing space across Australia, the United Kingdom and the USA. As of May 2014, AAI had been made into three parts: Unmanned Systems, Support Solutions, and Electronic Systems. The company

1406-590: Was founded as Hayes Body Corporation in the early 1900s. Renamed many years later, UIC was admitted into the New York Stock Exchange for trading on December 15, 1964. From 1994 to 2004, AAI partnered with the Czech firm, Škoda , in a joint venture to manufacture trolley buses . The joint venture, named Electric Transit, Inc. , supplied 330 trolley buses to San Francisco and Dayton before being dissolved in 2004. On 22 June 2006 Aerosonde Ltd

1444-567: Was replaced with a Fichtel & Sachs two-cylinder two-stroke. The Limbach motor used a 71 cm propeller from Propeller Engineering and Duplicating, Inc. of San Clemente, California. The newer, more powerful Fichtel & Sachs motor was outfitted with a 74 cm propeller (which spins in the opposite direction) from the Sensenich Propeller Manufacturing Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Launched by rocket assist (shipboard), by catapult , or from

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