Special Forces to use Aerosonde UAS for intel missions

Texton Systems' AAI unit has won a contract valued at about $600 million over three years to furnish its Aerosonde small unmanned aircraft system to the U.S. Special Operations Command, the company said April 10.

Under the Mid-Endurance Unmanned Aircraft Systems II contract, AAI will deliver its Aerosonde small UAS, which features a single, electro-optic/infrared payload for day and night surveillance and can accommodate another payload to satisfy other mission objectives. The Aerosonde system uses a one-piece launch-and-recover trailer and ground control station for both land and sea-based expeditions.

Another Textron Systems unit, AAI Logistics and Technical Services, will furnish global operations and maintenance support for the contract.