Atair Aerospace Awarded Over $1 Million for ONYX System Development

In 2003 the Department of Defense and the Festo Corporation have given Atair Aerospace over $1 million to develop flying robots that navigate on their own to a specific point on the ground.

Brooklyn, NY (PRWEB) July 29, 2003 -- The U.S. Department of Defense will continue funding Atair Aerospace, Inc. and its development of a 75lb. autonomous guided parachute delivery system, called the ONYX System. In addition to government awarded funds of $849,338, the Festo Corporation has Fast Tracked Atairs SBIR transition to Phase II funding with a $250,000 dollar investment.

The need for this technology is required now more than ever. Precision airdrop will not only reduce risks to supply lines, but also allow military forces to position supplies ahead of rapidly moving combat forces and deliver supplies covertly to Special Operation Forces without securing the airspace directly over the drop zone.

The proliferation of inexpensive surface-to-air missiles and anti-aircraft guns gravely jeopardizes aircraft and personnel flying below 25,000 feet; a significant problem since conventional military airdrop techniques require cargo to be released under round parachutes from altitudes below 1,500 feet for accurate placement.

In response to the critical strategic requirements of precision airdrop, Atair has developed the ONYX System. This recoverable and reusable delivery system can be deployed from an altitude of up to 35,000 feet and with an on-board flight computer it can autonomously navigate cargo to a predetermined landing target. This ensures the safety of delivery aircraft and personnel from hostile ground-based fire.

Atair Aerospace is a Brooklyn-based Defense Company dedicated to modernizing military, government, and corporate logistics by creatively solving complex aerospace and engineering problems that integrate state-of-the-art parachute designs and flight navigation systems.

For more information contact Mark Montalvo at mark@extremefly.com or visit Atair Aerospaces website at www.extremefly.com/aerospace.

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July 29, 2003