Centaur

Aurora Flight Sciences has conducted multiple unmanned flights of its Centaur optionally piloted aircraft (OPA) from Griffiss International Airport in Rome, New York.

With these flights, Aurora Flight has become the first company to fly in FAA-designated locations, the company said.

Flights were carried out in partnership with Northeast UAS Airspace Integration Research Alliance (NUAIR) managed Griffiss UAS Test Site in Oneida County.

Aurora chairman and CEO Dr John Langford said: "Having Centaur lead the way in the US, as the first large aircraft to fly in one of the FAA-approved test sites is an important milestone for our company, Griffiss, and the FAA.

"This aircraft is coming into high demand from a range of customers, both military and commercial interests, in the US and abroad."

"Our proven, long-endurance, medium-altitude platforms are ready for action, whether deployed by the military for ISR missions, or in the skies."

Said to be a cost-effective, airborne solution, the Centaur OPA is designed based on the Diamond DA42 for various military and commercial unmanned aircraft applications.

The aircraft can be configured for a manned flight, which gives access to airports worldwide without the need for large aircraft.

Smaller size of Centaur will allow it to carry out clandestine operations and low-profile ISR missions, as well as an unmatched range of payload types and specifications.

Last year, Aurora’s Orion UAS performed an 80-hour flight, breaking the world record for unmanned aircraft endurance.

"Our proven, long-endurance, medium-altitude platforms are ready for action, whether deployed by the military for ISR missions, or in the skies meeting the needs of a wide range of other security, scientific or commercial applications," Langford added.

Image: Aurora Centaur during flight. Photo: courtesy of Aurora Flight Sciences.