Huntsville, Alabama/July 17, 2007 — Chandler/May (CMI), a leading contract manufacturer of mobile shelters and ground control shelters, announces delivery of the first three-man mobile command and control shelter sub-assembly to AAI Corporation.  After extensive hardware/software integration at AAI, this unit will be used to control flight of the U.S. Army’s Extended Range/Multi-Purpose (ER/MP) unmanned aircraft system (called the Sky Warrior^TM Armed Reconnaissance System).

The Sky Warrior Armed Reconnaissance System is an improved derivative of the combat-proven Predator^® from General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., and is designed to provide division and corps leaders with long-range, armed unmanned aircraft surveillance and attack capability.  The aircraft will conduct long-endurance surveillance, communications relay and weapons delivery missions, with twice the weapons capacity of Predator.  The ER/MP unmanned aircraft system can fly over 25,000 feet, using jet or diesel fuel, with increased horsepower and significantly improved fuel efficiency.

The new shelter sub-assembly is based on AAI’s successful One System^® Ground Control Station design, for which Chandler/May provides build-to-print services in support of the highly successful Shadow^® Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems (TUAS) program. CMI has delivered over 100 of the Humvee-mounted, mobile, two-man shelters to AAI.

The mobile ER/MP shelter is larger, with room for three aircraft and payload operators. Protected in a climate-controlled, standard S-280 U.S. Army shelter and mounted on a standard Army 5-ton MTV, the One System Ground Control Station for the ER/MP program receives and disseminates battlefield video and situational awareness data through state-of-the-art operator consoles. Consoles can be used to provide aircraft command and control, payload control and weapons launch.

About Chandler/May

Chandler/May Inc.’s UAV Shelter division builds the Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System Ground Control Shelter sub-assembly for AAI Corporation. The Shadow Ground Control Station is currently operational in several military deployments. The Shelters are built in Huntsville at CMI’s new 25,000 square foot Engineering and Production building. CMI incorporates the latest technologies into these shelters using CMI’s unique integration and test processes for rugged systems.

The Shelters utilize a wide range of CMI capabilities, including the latest in machine shop technology, cable fabrication and rugged systems packaging as well as the incorporation of high-end embedded VME Sun based workstations, video and communications products.

Chandler/May, Inc. has reduced the Shelter sub-assembly build time from 6 months to 4 weeks. The Ground Control Shelter Case Study gives complete integration and detailed product information on this project, including the benefits of the Shadow TUAS in combat and the processes involved in building the shelter.

About AAI

AAI produces the Army’s RQ-7B Shadow Tactical Unmanned Aircraft System. Shadow systems have flown more than 195,000 combat hours in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.  In addition to unmanned aircraft systems, AAI’s high-technology products and services for aerospace and defense include training and simulation systems, automated test and maintenance equipment, armament systems, aviation ground support equipment, logistical and engineering services, and maintenance, repair, and overhaul.  Company subsidiaries include AAI Services Corporation, Aerosonde Pty Ltd., Aerosonde North America Incorporated, ESL Defence Limited, McTurbine Inc., and Symtx, Inc.

Shadow^® is a registered trademark of AAI Corporation. 

One System^® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Army.

Sky Warrior is a trademark and Predator is a registered trademark of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.