June 2010 – Visit Us at the AUVSI Show 2010

Meet us at AUVSI North America in Denver Colorado, 24-27 August 2010.
Booth # 2825
We'll be announcing industry first VTOL products and capabilities!

July 2009 – Visit Us at the AUVSI Show 2009

Guided Systems will be co-exhibiting with Cloud Cap
Meet us at booth 635
AUVSI's Unmanned Systems North America 2009
August 10-13, 2009
Washington Convention Center
Washington, DC, USA

July 2009 – Contracted Integration of Helicopter Autopilot on Vario XLC Complete

Guided Systems completed the validation of fully autonomous flight operations, including take-off and landing, on the Vario XLC for a U.S. government customer. Flight validation and system delivery followed an engineering services contract for integration of its adaptive helicopter autopilot solution on the turbine powered vehicle and completion of government personnel flight operations training.

Video of the integrated Vario XLC

July 2009 – Integration of satellite communications equipment for long range autonomous unmanned helicopter operations complete.

Under the terms of a delivery contract, Guided Systems has integrated an Iridium satellite-based data modem on a small helicopter to enable continuous communication with the vehicle autopilot when line-of-sight communications is lost. This capability is now being prepared for use in a contracted near-term technical demonstration of a special purpose unmanned helicopter that will operate for extended periods beyond-line-of-sight communications with the operator station.

June, 2009 – Completion of Contracted Flight Demonstration of Helicopter Terrain Following Flight

Guided Systems successfully completed flight demonstration of a newly developed capability to perform low-altitude helicopter terrain following flight. Developed for a U.S. government laboratory for mapping applications, the system employs a laser altimeter coupled to a GPS-aided inertial navigation solution to produce precision tracking of height above ground while autonomously completing a specified flight plan.

Video of the helicopter performing terrain following

June 2009 – First Closed-Loop Flight Test of Image-Based Obstacle Avoidance System

Guided Systems completed initial flight evaluations of a vision-based obstacle avoidance system for small and micro air vehicles under the terms of contracts with both the U.S. Air Force and the Navy. The system employs a monocular video camera, image processing, and special purpose guidance laws to augment a mature autopilot solution for helicopters and presently enables autonomous flight through a sparse obstacle field. This form of obstacle avoidance system is expected to be particularly useful on UAVs too small to carry active sensors for obstacle detection. A contracted flight demonstration of the developed capability is scheduled for the 4th quarter of 2009.

May 2009 – Phase II SBIR Contract Awarded to Guided Systems in support of Ballistic Missile Defense

Guided Systems has been awarded an 18 month Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the U.S. Missile Defense Agency to further develop and apply its adaptive guidance laws to improve intercept performance against maneuvering targets.

April 2009 – Dual Redundant Piccolo Architecture Successful in Initial Flight Trials

As part of its ongoing internal research and develop efforts, Guided Systems has developed and flight tested a dual Piccolo flight configuration that allows one Piccolo to be in control of the vehicle, while the other stands by as a backup. In the event the primary Piccolo suffers a power failure or system reset for any reason, the backup Piccolo is automatically and immediately employed to control the vehicle. This is particularly useful in research programs when advanced features are being introduced to the autopilot through software modifications and flight tested at very low altitude. This capability will eventually be exploited in the development of integrated helicopter UAV solutions that feature dual redundant avionics for applications demanding very high system reliability.

March, 2009 – Flight Operations Begin with Fixed-Wing UAV Surrogate with Dual Flight Control Systems

In support of contracted flight test activities for a large US aerospace firm, Guided Systems has developed a low-cost surrogate UAV system that features the proven Piccolo autopilot system coupled with an auxiliary flight control computer. This system allows rapid, low-cost flight test of custom flight control laws and logic using the operating system of choice on the auxiliary computer while employing the navigation solution, pilot, actuator, and operator interface of the mature Piccolo system. The system also allows for a second dedicated uplink/downlink to the auxiliary flight computer for the purpose of conducting software validation and flight test of the alternate controller. The system is to be employed for early flight validation of newly developed control laws using a surrogate for a special purpose fixed-wing UAV now in development by the customer.

January, 2009 – First delivery of SiCX 250 Unmanned Helicopter Contracted

Guided Systems signed a contract for delivery of its first conversion of a Manned To Unmanned helicopter for an overseas customer. Based on the combination of a proven airframe and Guided Systems mature unmanned helicopter autopilot , the system will provide up to 250 pounds of payload with a mission endurance of several hours. Delivery is scheduled for early 2010.

Find out more about the SiCX 250 Unmanned Helcopter

July 2008 – Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Finishes Third Overall In The 2008 International Aerial Robotics Competition

Guided Systems is pleased to announce that ERAU, based in Daytona Beach, FL has finished third place overall for the 2008 International Aerial Robotics Competition (IARC). The IARC is a multiyear competition, developed to challenge student teams and advance the state of the art in unmanned aerial systems. ERAU, a latecomer to the competition has joined on the final and most difficult year of the competition. Guided Systems has been pleased to provide its patented Adaptive Neural Network controls technology and training to enable fully autonomous operations of their rotary wing UAV.

Working in formal partnership with Cloud Cap Technology, Guided Systems has been selected to provide the complete rotorcraft solution to the very successful Piccolo line of autopilots. The Piccolo II used by ERAU is a high performance, full featured autopilot in a light weight, compact solution.

Charles Reinholtz, Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering  had the following to say about Guided Systems:

'the performance of the autopilot freed us to work on other aspects of the competition, from the first time we turned it on IT JUST WORKED'

'exceptional support, thorough documentation and a knowledgeable, responsive staff '

Guided Systems has been applying its Adaptive Neural Network control methods on complex unmanned aerial vehicles for well over a decade.  The focus has been primarily on complex vehicles.  These include helicopters, ducted fans, tilt rotors, coaxials and compound vehicles such as AeroVironment’s VTOL Skytote UAV.  The methods have also been successfully employed in designs for fixed-wing aircraft, space launch vehicles, and precision guided munitions.

June 2008 - Guided Systems selected by IAS to provide Adaptive Neural Network flight controls technology for their newest Pitagora VTOL UAV. 

Guided Systems is pleased to announce that IAS (International Aviation Supply) based in Brindisi Italy has engaged Guided Systems to provide its patented Adaptive Neural Network controls technology and its engineering services to enable fully autonomous operations of their new Pitagora UAV.  Pitagora is IAS’ newest vehicle that is capable of VTOL and high-speed wing born flight. 

 “Pitagora – says Teodoro Grasso, President of IAS – is a complex UAV.  Its’ innovative concept asks for very sophisticated technology and special competencies. We firmly believe that Guided Systems’ technology and their technical support will meet Pitagoras’ specific requirements and they will not be just a simple suppliers for us, but rather partners in this adventure”.    

Additionally, Guided Systems will also apply the Adaptive Neural Network technology to IAS’ fixed wing UAV’s such that a single common software and hardware system is all that is needed to operate the IAS’ entire fleet of UAV’s.

Guided Systems has been applying its Adaptive Neural Network control methods on complex unmanned aerial vehicles for well over a decade.  The focus has been primarily on rotary wing vehicles.  These include helicopters, ducted fans, tiltrotors, coaxials and compound vehicles such as AeroVironment’s VTOL Skytote UAV.  The methods have also been successfully employed in designs for fixed-wing aircraft, space launch vehicles, and precision guided munitions.  The technology has recently entered production on variants of Boeing’s Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM). 

IAS has established a UAV program which encompasses the design, manufacture, integration, and testing of various types of UAVs providing tailor-made solutions along with offering a range of services with emphasis on the civilian sector applications. IAS has facilities totaling 10,000m2 which extend on an area of 17 hectors with direct access to Brindisi airport. The facilities include a 40 meters long sub-sonic wind tunnel which will be operative within the end of 2008.

January 2008 - Guided Systems selected by AeroVironment to provide Adaptive Neural Network flight controls technology for their newest High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) aircraft. 

Guided Systems is pleased to announce that AeroVironment based in Monrovia California has engaged Guided Systems to provide its patented Adaptive Neural Network controls technology and its engineering services to support development of their new HALE aircraft.

Guided Systems has been applying its Adaptive Neural Network control methods on complex unmanned aerial vehicles since 1993. Recent improvements of the technology offers great benefits for control of unmodeled dynamics, including the flexible airframes that are characteristic of next generation High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) aircraft designs.

The technology has been successfully employed for fixed-wing aircraft, space launch vehicles, helicopters, complex rotary vehicles such as tiltrotors, ducted fans, compound vehicles and precision guided munitions.

About AeroVironment, Inc. (AV)
Building on a history of technological innovation, AV designs, develops, produces, and supports an advanced portfolio of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and efficient electric energy systems.  The company's small UAS are used extensively by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense and increasingly by allied military forces to deliver real-time reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition to tactical operating units.  AV’s PosiCharge® fast charge systems eliminate battery changing for electric industrial vehicles in factories, airports, and distribution centers.  For more information about AV, please visit www.avinc.com.

November 26, 2007 - Cloud Cap Technology and Guided Systems Technologies have partnered to offer the Piccolo series of autopilots for helicopters and complex rotor wing vehicles

Guided Systems Technologies (GST) leveraging its 18+ years of experience in guidance and control technology is the dedicated helicopter and rotorcraft autopilot solutions provider for Cloud Caps’ Piccolo series of autopilots.   GST brings advanced flight control technology that’s been proven on a wide variety of unmanned rotary wing vehicles (single main rotor and coaxial helicopters, tilt rotors, ducted fans, tail sitters and airplanes that can hover on the prop, as well as hybrid vehicles such as the USAF/AeroVironment Skytote UAV). 

Piccolo autopilot products are now capable of full envelope automated helicopter flight operations, including take-off and landing, precision hover, true trajectory path following along with autopilot assisted manual steering mode.  GST will also provide comprehensive customer support from initial project requirements definition through hardware-in-the-loop rotary wing simulation to flight testing and field support operations.  Dr. Eric Corban, GST’s Founder and CTO says ‘the helicopter and rotary wing UAV market will benefit greatly from affordable access to a complete helicopter control solution proven over a number of flight test programs. It is made relatively easy to integrate through the combination of advanced technology, quality documentation, and support that is tailored to the needs of the rotorcraft community.