Insitu demonstrates one launch and recovery system for family of unmanned aircraft

Insitu Inc., a Boeing [NYSE: BA] subsidiary, announced today the successful demonstration of its interoperable unmanned aircraft (UA) launch and recovery system. The SkyHook wing-tip recovery system and next generation launcher support all of the company's UA–Integrator, ScanEagle and NightEagle–reducing the overall operational footprint in challenging terrain.

The rugged and powerful launcher is based upon the same pneumatic technologies that have proven reliable and effective on some 15 ship classes as well as on land. SkyHook eliminates the need for runways or complicated net captures and enables safe shipboard recovery and expeditionary capability for tactical missions on land or sea.

"Insitu is focused on helping customers achieve successful mission results without being encumbered with additional ground support elements. We are pleased that we can offer customers who currently use ScanEagle—and choose to incorporate Integrator and NightEagle into their in-theatre assets—a common launch and recovery system," said Bill Clark vice president of emerging technologies at Insitu. "This enables aircraft to fly in various locations, yet share a single base for launch and recovery operations without increasing costs over the product life cycle."

The field-proven ScanEagle has completed 249,000 operational flight hours and 31,000 land and maritime sorties to date. NightEagle offers nighttime vision comparable to daytime imagery with a cooled mid-wave infrared camera and has a National Imagery Interpretability Rating Scale rating of 7.3. Integrator is the company's next generation UA due for commercial release in the third quarter of calendar year 2010.