RQ-7A Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Deployed December 2003

United Industrial Corporation announced this week a US Army RQ-7A Shadow tactical unmanned aircraft, designed and produced by its subsidiary AAI corporation, has been selected for induction into the aircraft collection of the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum for outstanding service over Iraq.

Aircraft number 1026 was selected for inclusion in the collection in recognition of its role as one of the first unmanned aircraft deployed to Iraq by the Army as a tactical combat resource.

The veteran aircraft will be delivered to the museum's Paul E. Garber Preservation, Restoration, and Storage Facility in Silver Hill, MD where it will be readied for eventual display, according to the company.

"It's an incredible honor to have one of our Shadow unmanned aircraft selected for display among all of the outstanding US aviation treasures in the National Air and Space Museum," said Frederick M. Strader, president and chief executive officer of United Industrial and AAI Corporation.

"Ironically, Shadow unmanned aircraft number 1026 was deployed by the US Army to Iraq in the 100th anniversary year of the invention of manned flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright," Strader added. "Now this unique aircraft will have its place in the National Air and Space Museum along with the 1903 Wright Flyer and thousands of others in the historic collection."

With the nickname Screamin' Demon and fierce, fiend-like artwork painted on its nose by its Army operators, the aircraft entered Army combat service in September 2002, accomplishing its first surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence-gathering mission over Baghdad on April 17, 2003, a few weeks after the onset of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Screamin' Demon achieved nearly 29 months of Iraq service during tours with the U.S. Army's 4th Infantry Division, Stryker Brigade Combat Team #2, and the 82nd Airborne Division. Its last combat flight in Iraq took place on September 12, 2005, totaling 124 missions and nearly 500 flight hours. The aircraft returned to the United States for scheduled overhaul and re-conditioning before taking on a new role in training support for aircrews.

First deployed to Iraq at the outset of military operations there in early 2003, Shadow aircraft have flown more than 36,000 sorties and 173,000 flight hours in support of US and allied operations, according to the company.

FMI: www.unitedindustrial.com, www.aaicorp.com