UAV updateCollege buys small UAV for first-responder training program
Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio purchases small unmanned aerial system (SUAS) from UTC Aerospace Systems for use in the college’s training program for first responders
Charlotte, North Carolina-based UTC Aerospace Systems, a unit of United Technologies Corporation, has been selected by Sinclair Community College (SCC) in Dayton, Ohio to provide the company’s small unmanned aerial system (SUAS) for use in the college’s training program for first responders. The system, to be delivered later this year, is being developed and produced by the Sensors & Integrated Systems team in Burnsville, Minnesota.
UTC Aerospace says the selection marks the first time the business will serve in a prime contractor role to provide a complete micro SUAS.
Under the contract, UTC Aerospace Systems will provide a complete system comprising two air vehicles, a tablet-style ground station, electro/optical payload, and data link. The autonomous system uses affordable high performance gyro-stabilized electro-optical cameras. This allows the SUAS to provide reliable real-time video capabilities for a variety of situations.
Sensors & Integrated Systems is working with Dayton, Ohio suppliers such as composite airframe provider GeoSpatial, to support the local unmanned aerial systems industry.
David Krier, business development director, Sensors & Integrated Systems said, “Sensors and sensing systems integration is one of UTC Aerospace Systems’ core technologies and it provides us a path to develop and deliver affordable unmanned air systems that will perform diverse missions. We look forward to working with Sinclair Community College in providing an innovative solution that will support law enforcement, first responders and industries such as agriculture, natural resource management, energy exploration and infrastructure support.”
“Our training programs are being developed with the goal of increasing the capability of first responders out in the field, and the UTC Aerospace Systems SUAS is an ideal size, weight and capability for this program,” Sinclair Vice President of Workforce Development and Corporate Services Deb Norris said. “This electronic air vehicle fits in the trunk of a police car, can be airborne as soon as a need is identified, and operates in near silence. The purchase of the system reaffirms Sinclair’s commitment to being a leading national UAS Training and Certification Center.”
