Textron Systems, a defense company with experience in the design and manufacture of unmanned systems, has announced its participation in Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Denmark. Founded in 2012, the innovation-driven UAS Denmark and its network includes representation from all parts of the industrial supply chain — including industry, research institutions and user organizations — to promote UAS development and testing, as well as to expand the market in Denmark and Europe.
Textron Systems actively supports customers in Europe, including the Swedish military, which currently uses the company’s ground-breaking Shadow ® 200 Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System (TUAS). In addition, the Italian military is fielding the most advanced generation of the Shadow 200 system, designated by the U.S. Department of Defense as the Shadow RQ-7B V2 TUAS. This configuration also is being fielded to the U.S. Army, Marine Corps and Special Operations Command.
Additionally, Textron Systems is serving commercial customers internationally with its Aerosonde™ UAS, which is currently supporting oil and gas operations. The Aerosonde system’s history as a scientific and military platform have led to notable achievements. It was the world’s first UAS to cross the Atlantic Ocean, and has amassed more than 1,300 flight hours over the Arctic and Antarctica.
“Textron Systems is proud and eager to bring more than 30 years as a UAS designer and manufacturer to the UAS Denmark network of innovators and the Danish industry, as together we explore new applications for UAS,” says Textron Systems’ Director of Business Operations, Europe and Africa Bear Midkiff. “We are privileged to support our customers with operational and support services, living and working alongside them in some of the world’s most challenging environments, and have gained more than a million flight hours between our Shadow and Aerosonde systems as a result.”
“We are happy to see one of the biggest players in the UAS market joining our national network,” says UAS Denmark’s Head of UAS Michael Larsen. “Textron Systems has proven its strong capabilities within the field of the unmanned technologies for many years. For Denmark as a UAS country, this membership proves our ability to attract international companies that can potentially start cooperation with Danish companies and make the UAS business stronger in the country.”
