Demonstration and Testing of Argus One Unmanned Airship Begins at Nevada Test Site

World Surveillance Group, a developer and provider of aerospace communications products including lighter-than-air unmanned aerial vehicles or UAVs has successfully completed the initial demonstration of the Argus One UAV to the US Department of Defense (DoD).

The demonstration of the Argus One was held at the US Department of Energy Nevada Test Site (N2S2).

The flight demonstration of Argus One is the first of a series of testing activities that will be carried out in 2012. The exercises are sponsored by the DoD and executed by Eastcor Engineering, WSG's technical partner. For further testing, demonstration, evaluation and subsequent flights, the Argus One UAV has been stationed at the N2S2 facility.

The Argus One is an autonomous, unmanned airship with automated control and has been developed as a mid-altitude UAV capable of hovering above the surface of the earth for extended durations carrying high technology cameras, sensors and electronics packages. A ground control system receives the wirelessly transmitted data and live video generated by the Argus One’s IR cameras and electro-optical sensors. The ground control system enables the operator to maneuver the Argus One by programming GPS-based navigation using selected waypoints. The long endurance airship features a non-rigid, flexible envelope for easy storage and transport. Furthermore, the Argus One can be easily assembled and launched from any location, thus eliminating the need for an airport infrastructure or a large hangar.

World Surveillance Group, headquartered at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, develops and manufactures autonomous, LTA UAVs integrated with electronic systems for border control, homeland defense, military, natural disaster relief, maritime missions and drug interdiction.

Source: http://www.wsgi.com/