Feb. 2009: Honeywell announced receiving a US Navy order for six T-Hawk Micro Air Vehicle systems, destined for the British MoD. In addition to the six T-Hawk MAV units, the MOD will receive training, field support, maintenance and spare parts. The order is an addition to the Navy’s existing T-Hawk contract with Honeywell announced in November 2008 for 90 systems.
The systems will be delivered to the Ministry of Defence in 2009. In November the Navy awarded Honeywell its first production contract for the T-Hawk MAV. The T-Hawk MAV will be used by joint force EOD (Explosive Ordinance Device) units in Iraq and Afghanistan, among other locations.
The circular vehicle, weighing 17 pounds (8kg) and 14 inches (35.5 cm) in diameter, can fly down to inspect hazardous areas for threats without exposing warfighters to enemy fire. The T-Hawk MAV has the ability to take off and land vertically and can fly more than 40 minutes. In addition, the T-Hawk MAV can move at more than 40 knots (75km/h) of airspeed and operates at altitudes of more than 10,000 feet (3,048 m).
