HUNT VALLEY, Md., June 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- United Industrial Corporation announced today that its wholly owned subsidiary AAI Corporation has received an order from the U.S. Army for production of four additional Shadow 200 Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (TUAS).
The total value of the four advanced Shadow systems, which the Army designates as RQ-7B systems, is $39.2 million.
"We are pleased that our Army customer continues to order additional Shadow systems -- a reflection of the maturity, reliability, and capabilities of this amazing military asset," said AAI's Vice President of Unmanned Aircraft Systems Steven E. Reid. "As the Army's tactical unmanned aircraft system of choice, Shadow's role continues to grow in providing critical battlefield and urban situational awareness to warfighters in harm's way."
Since December 1999, when the U.S. Army selected AAI to be the service's TUAS prime contractor, the company has been awarded a series of contracts for the continued production of Shadow systems. To date, 74 systems have been ordered, including 296 aircraft and 148 ground control stations. Each system is composed of four aircraft, two ground control stations, and other components.
This new order extends system deliveries through January 2009. Shadow production work is performed at AAI's manufacturing facilities in Hunt Valley, Md.
Worldwide, Shadow systems have flown more than 47,000 sorties and greater than 192,000 flight hours -- more than 88 percent in support of U.S. and allied operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition to the production and upgrade of Shadow systems, AAI provides performance-based logistics support and sustainment for fielded and deployed U.S. Army TUAS units.
AAI also manufactures a number of other operationally-unique unmanned aircraft systems, and the company is recognized for its design and development of advanced ground control stations and interoperable network technologies.
For example, AAI produces Aerosonde unmanned aircraft systems for an array of scientific and civil aviation uses. Customers include the Australian Defence Science and Technology Organisation, NASA, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in the United States, and the Meteorological Institutes of Japan and Korea.
In addition, the One System(R) ground control station, designed and produced by AAI, is compatible and interoperable with multiple unmanned aircraft systems, including Shadow, Pioneer(R), Hunter, Fire Scout, the Army's new Extended Range/Multi-Purpose system, and AAI's Aerosonde.
United Industrial Corporation designs, produces, and supports aerospace and defense systems through its wholly owned subsidiary, AAI Corporation, and AAI Corporation's direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries, AAI Services Corporation, Aerosonde Pty Ltd, Aerosonde North America Incorporated, ESL Defence Limited, McTurbine Inc., and Symtx, Inc. Its high-technology products and services include unmanned aircraft systems, training and simulation systems, automated aerospace test and maintenance equipment, armament systems,
aviation ground support equipment, logistical and engineering services, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul activities.
For more information, visit http://www.unitedindustrial.com/ and http://www.aaicorp.com/.
Shadow(R) is a registered trademark of AAI Corporation.
One System(R) is a registered trademark of the U.S. Army.
Except for the historical information contained herein, information set forth in this news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and variations of such words and similar expressions that indicate future events and trends are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, which include, but are not limited to, projections of revenues, earnings, cash flows, and contract awards. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause the company's actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. The company makes no commitment to update any forward-looking statement or to disclose any facts, events, or circumstances after the date hereof that may affect the accuracy of any forward-looking statement. For additional information about the company and its various risk factors, please see the company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K and other documents as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
