5 March 2009:
Adaptive Flight demonstrates Hornet Micro UAS for FAA at Quantico.
Hosted by the FBI and the FAA's Small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAV) Aviation Rulemaking Committee (ARC) Safety Risk Management Panel (SRMP), the purpose of the invitation-only demonstration was to give the 18 member panel first-hand experience with small UAV commercial operations in the National Air Space (NAS) system. Adaptive Flight's Hornet Micro UAS was the only VTOL system demonstrated.
The Hornet Micro UAV flew preprogrammed orbits at various altitudes and distances as requested by the ARC in order to provide the panel members with an impression of how a UAV "looks" at various altitudes, distances and flight attitudes. After the formal part of the demonstration, the Hornet descended down and inspected some of the FBI's cars. The onboard video was displayed on a video monitor for the audience. The successful demonstration resulted in praise both from the FAA and the FBI. As one panel member
stated: "I believe your company's demonstration did much to alleviate some of the apprehensions of the FAA SRM panel." It also became very obvious to many of people present that the Hornet Micro helicopter enjoys a unique competitive advantage in the US commercial UAV market. This has led to some interesting opportunities for us...
Feb 2009:
Adaptive Flight delivers two Hornet Micro helicopters to Kutta Technologies, Inc. The helicopters will be used in a collaborative effort with the Army Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) at Picatinny Arsenal, NJ to demonstrate the system's potential to support small unit net centric operations during planned USSOCOM Tactical Network Topology (TNT) experiments at Camp Atterbury.
"Adaptive Flight has and continues to exceed our expectations as a leading developer of unmanned systems. We are extremely pleased with both the Hornet Micro product and the manner in which it was delivered. The platform that we purchased was delivered in an extremely professional case, with all of the documentation, cables, and extra parts required to maintain it. In an industry that, at times, struggles to achieve a production level of quality, Adaptive Flight is a standout performer. Their desire to support and improve their products is a strong sign of their maturity as a company. The entire staff has been very responsive and engaging in all aspects of customer service, and we look forward to continuing our productive relationship with Adaptive Flight."
(David Barnhard, Business Manager, Kutta Technologies, Inc.)
Jan 2009:
Adaptive Flight Inc delivers an autonomous Bergen Observer helicopter to WinTec Arrowmaker. WinTec supports USSOCOM with UAV and communication services during TNT exercises at Camp Roberts and Camp Atterbury. The Bergen Observer will be used to provide real-time ISR and communication services in support of a wide range of technology demonstrations and sensor experiments at the TNT exercise. WinTec plans to instrument up to four additional helicopters with Adaptive Flight's FCS20 Flight Control system. The FCS20 will also be used for network and payload sensor support.
April 2008: FCS20 demonstrates ability to captures digital images at 30 fps, store the images in a 4GB flash drive and send requested images to GCS via Ethernet.
June 2007: AFI signs a contract with WinTec Arrowmaker for the delivery and integration of its FCS20 flight control system in a small fixed-wing aircraft. The project aims to demonstrate the system's flexibility and multi-tasking capabilities by capturing and processing digital image data in parallel with executing flight control functions.
May 2007:
AFI demonstrates autonomous flight with its small Hornet UAV.
Dec 2006:
First flight with new sensor board was successful. Revision A3
of our FCS20 sensor board incorporates new digital accelerometers, compass,
Ethernet and more efficient power supply circuits.
Sep 2006:
AFI signs exclusive license agreement with Georgia Tech
Research Corporation for development and marketing rights for its Adaptive
Flight Control Application software.
