Aerosonde
Pioneer Australian UAS manufacturer, creator of the Aerosonde small unmanned aircraft; acquired by AAI Corp in 2006, then Textron in 2007; now Textron.
Aerosonde originated in Melbourne, Australia, as the developer of one of the world's first small unmanned aircraft systems (SUAS) designed for scientific and surveillance missions. The organization was established in 1995 and became internationally recognized in August 1998 when an Aerosonde aircraft named Laima completed the first transatlantic crossing by an unmanned aerial vehicle, covering approximately 3,270 kilometers in just over 26 hours. This milestone demonstrated the platform's long-endurance capability and established Aerosonde as a pioneer in the UAS industry.
The Aerosonde aircraft was designed primarily for meteorological data collection and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in environments too remote or hazardous for crewed aircraft. The company was acquired by AAI Corporation in 2006, and following AAI's own acquisition by Textron in 2007, the Australian operation was subsequently rebranded as Textron Systems Australia Pty Ltd in September 2016.
Today, operating as Textron Systems Australia, the Melbourne-based organization continues to support all facets of unmanned aviation including ground control systems, training and simulation, engineering support, and logistics services. The Aerosonde UAS product line remains in active production and has accumulated over 650,000 flight hours across commercial and military operations worldwide. The platform is managed and marketed globally by Textron Systems as part of its broader family of unmanned aircraft systems.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
Contact Aerosonde
WEBSITE
https://www.textronsystems.com/textron-systems-australiaPHONE
+1 978-657-5111HEADQUARTERS
Australia
Company Facts
Founded
1995
Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
employees 100-500
Primary Region
Oceania
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
-
Funding Total
-
Keywords
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