| A mission configurable
payload Universal Aerial Delivery Dispenser (U-ADD) is developed
by Textron Systems to be used for aircraft and UAV precision
delivery of ordnance and special payloads. The U-ADD dispenser
uses GPS guidance to precisely deploy various types of air delivered
cargo to a specific point, using four-fin guided tail kit with
active fin control and parachute, when soft delivery is required.
Potential cargo could include 100 lbs (45 kg) of critical supplies
such as ammunition, batteries and medical supplies, chaff, sonobouys
or unattended ground sensors (UGS) leaflets or lethal munitions.
U-ADD can also accommodate a single CLAW
weapon, for enhanced area effect.
Textron Systems U-ADD guided dispenser was flown through a
full mission for the first time during a demonstration held
by the US Air force UAV Battlelab in October
2006. U-ADD was controlled throughout its flight by the
GuideStar flight control system, developed by Athena Technologies.
Upon reaching the designated delivery latitude, longitude and
altitude position, the guided dispenser deployed a 64-lb BLU-108
Sensor Fuzed submunition. The inert BLU-108 deployed its drogue
and main parachute as intended over the target area. As part
of a first phase program, Athena provided guidance and control
of the U-ADD with its GuideStar 111m – a miniaturized
(0.5 pound) integrated flight control and navigation software
and hardware solution. A U-ADD Product Improvement activity
will be ongoing starting in 2007 with the US Air Force’s
UAV Battlelab, Creech AFB, NV.
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