FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 21, 2004
SCHUMER, CLINTON: CONGRESSIONAL PANEL BACKS $16.8 MILLION
FOR SCHWEIZER AIRCRAFT FOR UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLES
Federal dollars will help support the development of the Fire
Scout Unmanned Aerial Vehicle to be used by the US Navy and Marine
Corps
Fire Scouts provide aerial intelligence for sailors and marines
- these models can take off and land vertically
US Senators Charles Schumer and Hillary Rodham Clinton today announced
that the joint House and Senate Conference Committee approved $16.8
million for Schweizer Aircraft to help support the development of
the Fire Scout RQ-8 Vertical Takeoff and Landing Tactical Unmanned
Aerial Vehicle (VTUAV) to be used by the US Navy and Marine Corps.
The bill must now be approved by the Congress before being sent
to the President and eventually signed into law.
Specifically, today's funding will allow development of the program
to be accelerated by making more equipment and resources available.
The funds will provide air vehicles at the optimal economic production
rate as well as ground stations, four blade rotors, sensors, and
systems integration. Schweizer Aircraft is responsible for the design
and manufacture of the Fire Scout VTUAV in partnership with Northrop
Grumman, who is the prime contractor on the project.
"This money would allow our armed forces to use products made
here to stay as prepared and effective as they can possibly be,”said
Schumer. “Completing the Fire Scout will give our sailors
and Marines the ability to get a great aerial view and help target
their weapons without putting a pilot at risk. It's quick, extremely
maneuverable, and a great value. And just as importantly, it could
have a real impact on the local economy."
“As a Senator, and since joining the Senate Armed Services
Committee, I have been very impressed by the research, technologies
and skills that the Southern Tier has to offer to our national defense.
Senator Clinton said. "This appropriation builds on the strong
support that the Fire Scout program received from Congress last
year. Additional funding for this critical transformational program
will provide our military personnel with a resource that can replace
more costly manned systems and, most importantly, save lives in
conflict. These funds are also important for the economic vitality
of the region - helping to develop innovative new technology right
here in New York and playing a key role in our national defense,”
Senator Clinton said.
The Fire Scout VTUAV is in the final stages of development. Its
primary role will be to provide Navy and Marine personnel with information
about combat situations and precision targeting on the sea and ashore.
The Fire Scout's long endurance, excellent performance, sophisticated
payloads, ability to take off and land vertically, and autonomous
operating capability make it uniquely able to provide long range
surveillance and targeting under the most demanding of tactical
conditions.
The Fire Scout's dynamic system is derived Schweizer's Model 333
turbine helicopter, which has been proven by over 20 million flight
hours. With vehicle endurance greater than six hours, Fire Scout
is capable of extended continuous operations. The Fire Scout will
be able to fly 110 nautical miles from launch site, stay aloft for
three hours, and then return.
Schweizer Aircraft has been a privately owned manufacturer of aircraft
and aerospace components for 63 years. Over 5700 sailplanes, helicopters,
agricultural aircraft, and reconnaissance aircraft, designed and
manufactured by Schweizer Aircraft, are operated in more than 70
countries around the world.
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