RUAG Aerospace is a commercial enterprise operating in the aerospace sector. Its headquarters are in Emmen and the company has several plants throughout Switzerland. RUAG Aerospace is part of the RUAG Technology Group. Thanks to international cooperation with manufacturers of military systems and to its longstanding experience of technical equipment support for the Swiss Armed Forces, RUAG Aerospace possesses all-round skills in research and development, manufacturing and maintenance - skills that are also put to successful use in the civilian aerospace sector. RUAG Aerospace can thus offer its customers at home and abroad a full range of products, from individual to comprehensive end-to-end solutions, in both the aerospace sector and adjoining applications.

AEROSPACE ENGINEERING
RUAG Aerospace has the necessary resources in research and development to successfully address a wide range of problems in a broad field of competences. Theoretical and experimental aerodynamic studies are conducted in its own wind tunnels designed for aircraft, guided weapons and spacecraft components as well as automobile and construction industries. Sophisticated structural aircraft components are developed in a CIM environment, assisted by the CATIA CAD system. The engineering unit develops new test facilities and procedures for fatigue engineering, training systems, environmental simulation and combat effectiveness enhancements in military applications and develops new test system procurement concepts.

PRODUCTION OF COMPONENTS AND COMPLETE ASSEMBLIES
RUAG Aerospace's production programme focuses on the series production of items ranging from individual components right up to complete assemblies for companies such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman Corp., Airbus, BAE Systems, Arianespace and Pilatus as well as on the assembly of guided missiles and the corresponding opto-electronic equipment. The modern range of machinery includes five-axis HSC centres (up to 10 m long) and stretch forming machines, annealing furnaces and chemical milling plants.

RUAG Aerospace often acts as the prime contractor for Swiss industrial programmes, coordinating and supervising the collaborative activity of Swiss companies involved in the final assembly of combat aircraft, training aircraft, helicopters, drones and guided weapons.

AIRCRAFT AND HELICOPTER MAINTENANCE
Swiss Air Force aircraft are reputedly flown at higher than average usage levels, while maintaining a high level of structural integrity. This is possible in part due to knowledge gained in the production licence or final assembly of the aircraft. This knowledge allows aircraft maintenance, in-house repairs and modifications to be done independently from the manufac-turer. On behalf of the Swiss Air Force, RUAG Aerospace is responsible for all levels of maintenance of the military aircraft and helicopters. This maintenance includes cleaning and repair of damaged structural, avionic, engine and transmission system components, as well as periodic aircraft maintenance. In the event of system modifications or upgrades, technical responsibility of the system may be assumed by RUAG Aerospace. Up-to-date machine shops are available at RUAG Aerospace with the most modern equipment on the market.

RANGER UAV SYSTEM
The RANGER Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) is a miniature fixed-wing lightweight aircraft, remotely controlled from the Ground Control Station. The UAV is equipped with a skid system which allows landing on unprepared grass strips or snow. A wheeled version is also available.

The system is designed for full automatic take-off and landing. The emergency parachute system provides full safety. The modular concept allows the implementation of different payloads according to the customer's needs.

As well as system status reports, the UAV transmits real-time video/FLIR pictures with coordinates of the objects observed or other information, depending on the pay-load, to the Ground Control Station for decision making and/or processing.

Standard payload is the MOSP Mk III, an advanced, lightweight multimission spherical payload with autotrack capability. It is available in various configurations, either:

• TV
• FLIR
• Combi TV/FLIR
• TV with Laser Designator
• FLIR with Laser Designator