Air Force Association's Highest Honor For Industry Leadership

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, which makes unmanned aircraft systems has received the John R. Alison Award, the highest honor given for Industrial Leadership from the Air Force Association. The award was presented to the president and chief executive officer, Thomas J. Cassidy, Jr., during the Association’s annual Air Force Anniversary Dinner on 14 September in Washington (DC).

The award recognizes the company for developing and producing the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft as a significant military contributor to the country’s national security interests. As an integral part of the US arsenal of sophisticated systems, the Predator and its sister aircraft, the Predator B, have flown nearly 100,000 hours in the last ten years, providing valuable intelligence video to troops, manned aircraft and operational commanders in more than a dozen combat area deployments around the world. Operating against armed enemy fighter aircraft, ground launched missiles, severe weather and congested airspace in theater, the Predator aircraft has served with distinction as it provides intelligence of the battlespace day in and day out, seven days a week.
 
"We have expanded the military and commercial utilization of the Predator series and we thank the Air Force Association for recognizing our ability to deliver proven, reliable unmanned aircraft systems to support our national security objectives. Our employees have done a tremendous job in developing and supporting these aircraft systems that have made such a difference in how we fight wars and maintain the peace," said Thomas Cassidy, Jr. during his acceptance speech.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. is located in San Diego, CA with operating facilities throughout southern California and various deployment locations throughout the world. The company is focused solely on the design, development and support of unmanned aircraft such as the MQ-1 Predator, MQ-9 Predator B, I-GNAT series, ALTAIR, Mariner, and ALTUS.

General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. aircraft are in use by the US Air Force, US Army, US Navy, NASA, and other government departments including overseas allies that include Italy, Turkey and other countries.

FMI: www.ga.com