Athena Technologies awarded contract to develop flight controls for morphing unmanned Air vehicle (UAV)

Warrenton, VA)--[ASDWire.com]-- Athena Technologies, Inc. today announced that it has won a contract from Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company to implement the flight controls for Lockheed Martin’s Morphing UAV. The Morphing UAV is part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Morphing Aircraft Structures (MAS) program, to which Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® is a contractor. The MAS program will develop ground-breaking technologies to radically change the shape of an aircraft’s wings in flight in order to rapidly accommodate a new mission. For example, by expanding and contracting wing structures in flight, a single aircraft can perform both loitering surveillance and reconnaissance missions and high-speed attack missions, which is unprecedented.

Under the contract, Athena will provide Lockheed Martin with its GuideStar™ navigation and flight control system and integration. The GuideStar 111m is an advanced, miniaturized system specifically designed for small, high-performance UAV applications. It integrates navigation, control and vehicle management in one unit which is about the same size as a cigarette pack. In addition, the GS-111m design is based on Athena’s patented and proven flight controls technology, which has a strong track record of reducing the overall life cycle cost of designing and developing multiple wide-ranging UAVs. The first flight of the Morphing UAV is scheduled for Summer 2006.

 “Athena’s products and expertise are critical for the success of this revolutionary program,” said Charles Chase, MAS Program Manager for Lockheed Martin’s Advanced Development Programs. “With their experience in implementing flight controls in many types of UAVs, from Tactical UAVs, to ducted fan UAVS, Target Drones, and missiles, we are confident we have chosen a dependable partner in this endeavor.”

“Athena is honored to work with such an aerospace industry giant as Lockheed Martin,” said Dr. David Vos, Athena’s CEO. “Morphing Aircraft Systems technology, with proven advanced flight controls, will enable first-ever maneuverability in unmanned aircraft that essentially mimics the way raptors fly. This will ultimately provide a new domain of capabilities for military operations. We are excited to be involved in this program,” he added.

About Athena Technologies
Athena Technologies is a premier developer and producer of navigation and control systems. Founded in 1998, the company produces the GuideStar™ family of versatile, compact and cost-effective flight control systems for military applications such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), target drones and missiles. The company is an independent, privately held firm with headquarters in Northern Virginia. Additional information is available at www.athenati.com.

About Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, a business area of Lockheed Martin, is a leader in the design, research and development, systems integration, production and support of advanced military aircraft and related technologies. Its customers include the military services of the United States and allied countries throughout the world. Products include the F-16, F/A-22, F-35 JSF, F-117, C-5, C-130, C-130J, P-3, S-3 and U-2. The company produces major components for the F-2 fighter and is a co-developer of the C-27J tactical transport and T-50 advanced jet trainer.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin employs about 135,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The corporation reported 2005 sales of $37.2 billion.