AAI's Unmanned Aircraft Systems receives Frost & Sullivan innovation award

Hunt Valley, USA: Frost & Sullivan has recognized AAI Corporation, a subsidiary of United Industrial Corporation, with its 2007 award for Technology Innovation for development of industry-leading unmanned aircraft systems and technologies.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan, a global consulting company, presents Best Practices Awards to companies in a variety of regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance.

The award for Technology Innovation is presented to a company that has demonstrated technological superiority within its industry. "This award reflects AAI's continued investment in designing and developing innovative unmanned aircraft systems and intelligence-gathering technologies that support the men and women of our military services," said Steven E. Reid, vice president of AAI's Unmanned Aircraft Systems. "We are honored to receive this recognition."

AAI has been a global leader in tactical unmanned aircraft systems and related surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence-gathering technologies over the past three decades.

The company was selected for the 2007 Unmanned Aircraft System award for Technology Innovation for its design, development, and production of the 'Shadow' family of unmanned aircraft systems, led by the Shadow 200 Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System, a vital battlefield asset in service with the US Army in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In addition, the award recognizes the design and development by AAI of the US Army's One System Ground Control Station, a core element in the service's network centric system that enables the interoperability of multiple unmanned aircraft systems across a battlefield.

"The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan continually demonstrate that troops on the ground need the most timely and accurate information available," noted Frost & Sullivan analyst Lindsay Voss in assessing the award to AAI. "Through the advancement of the tactical Shadow family of unmanned systems and the One System Ground Control Station, AAI Corporation is playing a vital role in providing today's war fighters with the intelligence they need," she added.

AAI's high-technology products and services for aerospace and defence include unmanned aircraft systems, training and simulation systems, automated test and maintenance equipment, armament systems, aviation ground support equipment, logistical and engineering services, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul.