HUNT VALLEY, Md., May 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Textron Systems
Unmanned Systems, a business of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) announced
today that its Civil & Commercial team provided its personnel
and operations in support of disaster response efforts for the
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management. The Civil &
Commercial team provided full-motion video in real-time to the
Emergency Operations Center in Oklahoma
City and the National Weather Service in Norman, Okla. The video was used to rapidly
and safely assess the tornado damage from an EF-2 tornado that took
place in Elk City on May 16.
Textron Systems' own operators, as well as representatives from
Aeryon Labs, traveled 120 miles to the impact site and began
operations within 20 minutes after the tornado's impact. Once
on-site, the team operated an Aeryon SkyRanger™ small
unmanned aerial system (sUAS) to collect more than one hour of
high-definition video and georeferenced still imagery over the
tornado damage. The real-time video feed was directly provided to
Oklahoma's regional Emergency
Operations Centers via the AeryonLive™ Video & Telemetry
solution that streams live video, images and aircraft telemetry
from the SkyRanger sUAS across a secure bonded cellular network
connection. The video was also broadcast live to the National
Weather Service in Norman,
Okla.
"It is difficult for first-responders to quickly assess the
damage after a tornado impact due to downed powerlines and other
debris," says Textron Systems Senior Director of Sales and
Marketing of Civil & Commercial Products Dennis Racine.
"However, with our support, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency
Management was able to rapidly and safely assess the damage to
determine what types of resources were needed to help those in
Elk City."
"Aeryon is proud to partner with Textron Systems in the delivery
of real-time, real-world UAS solutions in demanding applications,"
said Bill McHale, CEO at Aeryon
Labs. "We are honored that our technology and personnel could play
a part in the disaster response effort in Oklahoma."
With more than one million flight hours of unmanned systems
experience, the Textron Systems Civil & Commercial team
consists of highly experienced professionals who are armed with
some of the most capable platforms in the world – including the
Aeryon SkyRanger, with an operational heritage of over 100,000
flights. In addition to this recent operation in support of the
Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management, Textron Systems Civil
& Commercial team also provides aerial solutions in oil and gas
pipeline inspection and security, precision agriculture, as well as
other natural disaster efforts.
About Textron Systems
Textron Systems' businesses develop and integrate products,
services and support for aerospace and defense customers, as well
as civil and commercial customers including those in law
enforcement, security, border patrol and critical infrastructure
protection around the globe. Harnessing agility and a broad
base of expertise, Textron Systems' innovative businesses design,
manufacture, field and support comprehensive solutions that expand
customer capabilities and deliver value. Textron Systems consists
of its Advanced Information Solutions, Electronic Systems,
Geospatial Solutions, Lycoming Engines, Marine & Land Systems,
Support Solutions, TRU Simulation + Training, Unmanned Systems and
Weapon & Sensor Systems businesses. More information is
available at www.textronsystems.com.
About Textron Inc.
Textron Inc. is a multi-industry
company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense,
industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with
innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the
world for its powerful brands such as Bell Helicopter, Cessna,
Beechcraft, Hawker, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, Greenlee,
Textron Off Road, Textron Systems, and TRU Simulation + Training.
For more information visit: www.textron.com.
About Aeryon Labs Inc.
Aeryon Labs Inc. is trusted by
Military, Public Safety and Energy customers around the world for
small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and end-to-end solutions
that deliver life and resource saving, actionable aerial
intelligence. Headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, Aeryon's
industrial-grade, field-proven sUAS solutions set the standard for
real-time, secure aerial intelligence across a wide range of
applications, from executing tactical missions to investigating
traffic incidents to inspecting critical infrastructure. For more,
information visit: www.aeryon.com. Media Contact:
media@aeryon.com | +1 519-489-6726 x360
Media Contact:
Public Relations Team
Textron Systems
(978)
657-2020
PublicRelations@textronsystems.com
To view the original version on PR Newswire,
visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/textron-systems-supports-tornado-damage-assessment-in-oklahoma-300462316.html
SOURCE Textron Systems