United Industrial Corporation (NYSE: UIC) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary AAI Corporation has been awarded a contract to integrate and demonstrate a new, advanced tactical common data link component for use with the U.S. Army's frontline RQ-7B Shadow® 200 tactical unmanned aircraft system (TUAS), also produced by AAI Corporation.

The fully funded $11.7 million contract was awarded by the Army's Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, Ala.

AAI is a leading U.S. designer and manufacturer of tactical unmanned aircraft systems, ground control station technologies, and other innovative unmanned system capabilities.

The company's highly regarded Shadow 200 TUAS has been supporting U.S. and allied warfighters in Operation Iraqi Freedom since the start of military operations there in 2003, and has surpassed a record milestone of 100,000 operational hours, more than 80 percent while deployed in combat support roles in Iraq.

Major subcontractors to AAI in development, demonstration, and testing of a new, state-of-the-art TCDL are L-3 Communications Systems West in Salt Lake City, Utah and Cubic Defense Applications Inc. in San Diego, California.

"The tactical common data link system that will emerge from this integration and demonstration program will provide near-real time connectivity and interoperability among an array of manned and unmanned intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, including our Shadow unmanned aircraft," explained Steven E. Reid, AAI's vice president of unmanned aircraft systems.

"Interoperability among the various assets that collect intelligence data and those that use it will result in greater situational awareness for U.S. and allied forces and an ability to take decisive action more rapidly and accurately," he added.

United Industrial Corporation designs, produces, and supports defense systems. Its products and services include unmanned aircraft systems, training and simulation systems, automated aircraft test and maintenance equipment, armament systems, logistical and engineering services, and other leading-edge technology solutions for defense needs. The company also manufactures combustion equipment for biomass and refuse fuels.