T-Hawk Micro Air Vehicles Used For Battlefield Reconnaissance

Honeywell has been given a $65 million US Navy contract to produce 90 T-Hawk Micro Air Vehicle systems for battlefield surveillance.

Weighing in at only 17 pounds and measuring merely 14 inches across, the T-Hawk uses ducted fan propulsion. Small enough to be carried in a soldier's backpack, the T-Hawk features a camera for videoing enemy positions to a portable handheld terminal, enabling reconnaissance of dangerous areas without putting soldiers at risk.

The MAV systems will consist of two T-Hawks, one terminal, extra parts, training for operation and maintenance, and field support, the New Mexico Business Weekly detailed.

Honeywell Defense and Space President Ed Wheeler said, "Our highly precise controls allow the T-Hawk to operate at very high altitudes or just inches from the ground, providing unprecedented hover and stare capabilities for enemy detection or other missions in war zones."

The T-Hawk systems will be assembled by Honeywell in Albuquerque. Deliveries are slated to start in the second quarter of 2009 and continue to December 2009.

Already in use in Iraq by US troops, the T-Hawk is also attracting the attention of domestic law enforcement officials. The Miami Dade Police Department is currently evaluating a civilian version of the T-Hawk for surveillance applications.

The US Army awarded a multi-year $11 million contract last September to Honeywell for work upgrading the OH-58 Kiowa Warrior helicopter.

FMI: www.navy.mil