- Existing
DoD-Owned WASP Systems to Receive Second Generation Enhancements -
JACKSONVILLE,
FL – March 30, 2016 – Drone Aviation Holding Corp. (OTCQX: DRNE) (“DAC” or
“Drone Aviation”), a manufacturer of tethered drones and lighter-than-air
aerostats today announced that it has been awarded a contract to upgrade
existing U.S. Government-owned Winch
Aerostat Small Platform (“WASP”) tactical aerostat systems from Department
of Defense (DoD) prime contractor BAE
Systems.
The
upgrade contract, valued at $194,000, includes a number of technical
enhancements to the WASP systems currently owned and operated by a DoD customer.
These upgrades will enable enhanced flight operations and greater payload
flexibility as a result of an upgraded APIU (Aerial Payload Interface Unit)
specially designed to support a wide variety of payloads including advanced
video and communications systems. This current upgrade award from BAE follows a
recent award
earlier this month for multiple WASP Gen 2 systems for a new DoD customer.
“The second
generation WASP is the result of our DoD-focused strategy with continuing
improvements from extensive field tests and operational feedback from soldiers,
our military customers and our team over the past few years. The Gen 2 system enhances
an already highly capable platform that is redefining the roll of modern,
mobile, tethered tactical aerostats. With its new capabilities, the WASP can provide
enhanced force protection, situational awareness and communications range
extension in a single, compact, cost-effective solution that can be operated
nearly anywhere by just a few operators,” said Jay Nussbaum, Chairman of Drone
Aviation Holding Corp. “Our goal over the next few months is to support the increased
interest in the WASP by the military and assist our allies in combating the
growing incidence of terrorism and armed conflicts now taking place around the
world.”
Over the past 3 years, the U.S. Army-owned
WASP systems have successfully completed
operations in multiple DoD exercises including Army Network Integration Evaluations
(NIEs) 14.1, 14.2, 16.1 where WASP has been utilized by the U.S. Army as a
tactical battlefield solution that can support ground based soldiers, armor,
and air assets through comms retransmissions. Operating at altitudes up to 1,500 feet
AGL with launch sites at 6,000 feet ASL, the WASP system can significantly extend
ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) capabilities and communications
in remote and austere locations. The soldier-operated systems can be rapidly
configured to support a variety of mission requirements for days, weeks or
months with customized payloads.
About
Drone Aviation Holding Corp.
Drone Aviation Holding Corp. (OTCQX: DRNE) develops
and manufactures cost-effective, compact and rapidly deployable aerial
platforms including lighter-than-air aerostats and electric-powered drones
designed to provide government and commercial customers with enhanced
surveillance and communication capabilities. Utilizing a proprietary tether
system, the Company’s products are designed to provide prolonged operational
duration capabilities combined with improved reliability, uniquely fulfilling
critical requirements in military, law enforcement and commercial and
industrial applications. For more information about Drone Aviation Holding
Corp. please visit www.DroneAviationCorp.com