Tata
Advanced Systems explores opportunities with Urban Aeronautics,
Israel
February
16, 2008
To market and manufacture innovative unmanned aerial vehicles
(UAV)
Tata Advanced Systems has announced
today at the DEFEXPO 2008 exhibition in New Delhi, India,
that they are jointly exploring opportunities with Urban
Aeronautics from Israel for marketing and manufacturing
of unmanned aerial vehicles based on UrbanAero's patented
Fancraft technology for the Indian market. Tata Industries
has also invested in Urban Aeronautics. Tata Advanced
Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Industries
and is focused on providing integrated solutions for defence
and aerospace.
Founded by Rafi Yoeli, Urban Aeronautics has established
an early lead in developing technology that will enable
a family of vertical take off and landing aircraft with
no exposed rotors. The entire family of Fancraft that
would be developed using this technology is uniquely
suited to flying and operating inside of complex urban
and natural environments. The Fancraft technology developed
at UrbanAero could result in a number of operational
vehicles in various markets.
Currently in development at UrbanAero are technology
demonstrators in three sizes:
- X-Hawk, a manned, twin-turbine powered FAA certifiable
version with a capacity of 12 persons including the
pilot
- Panda, a small, electrically powered surveillance
aircraft
- MULE, a single turbine powered unmanned aircraft
for military re-supply and medical evacuation operations
with a payload capacity of 250 kilograms.
Urban Aeronautics is showcasing its technology, including
a scale model of its proposed MULE UAV in the Tata Pavilion
at the DefExpo in hall No 12 at Pragati Maidan, New
Delhi.
A Tata Advanced Systems spokesperson said: "Tata
Advanced Systems is pleased to be associated with Urban
Aeronautics, which is developing innovative unmanned
vehicles based on its patented Fancraft technology.
We believe these unmanned vehicles can have multiple
applications for defence and civilian applications in
India."
Rafi Yoeli, Urban Aeronautics's founder and CEO said:
"We believe that there could be no better partner
for our future business in India than Tata Advanced
Systems. We are extremely pleased to have joined forces
with Tata to exhibit this unique technology, with the
plan of eventually being able to bring the Fancraft
revolution to the Indian market."
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