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| Tata Advanced Systems explores opportunities with Urban Aeronautics, Israel |
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Tata Advanced Systems explores opportunities with Urban Aeronautics, Israel |
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| To Market and Manufacture Innovative Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) |
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| Mumbai/Delhi, February 16, 2008: TATA Advanced Systems has announced today at the DEFEXPO 2008 exhibition in New Delhi, India, that they are jointly exploring opportunities with Urban Aeronautics from Israel for marketing and manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles based on UrbanAero’s patented Fancraft™ technology for the Indian market. Tata Industries has also invested in Urban Aeronautics. Tata Advanced Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Industries and is focused on providing integrated solutions for Defence and Aerospace |
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Founded by Dr. Rafi Yoeli, Urban Aeronautics has established an early lead in developing technology that will enable a family of Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft with no exposed rotors. The entire family of Fancraft™ that would be developed using this technology is uniquely suited to flying and operating inside of complex urban and natural environments. The Fancraft™ technology developed at UrbanAero could result in a number of operational vehicles in various markets. |
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Currently in development at UrbanAero are technology demonstrators in three sizes: |
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X-Hawk, a manned, twin turbine powered FAA certifiable version with a capacity of 12 persons including the pilot,
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Panda, a small, electrically powered surveillance aircraft, and,
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MULE, a single turbine powered unmanned aircraft for military re-supply and Medical Evacuation (MedEvac) operations with a payload capacity of 250 kilograms.
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Urban Aeronautics is showcasing its technology, including a scale model of its proposed MULE UAV in the Tata Pavilion at the DefExpo in Hall No 12 at Pragati Maidan New Delhi. |
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A Tata Advanced Systems spokesperson, said: "Tata Advanced Systems is pleased to be associated with Urban Aeronautics, which is developing innovative unmanned vehicles based on its patented Fancraft™ technology. We believe these unmanned vehicles can have multiple applications for Defence and civilian applications in India.” |
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Dr. Rafi Yoeli, Urban Aeronautics’s Founder & CEO, said, "We believe that there could be no better partner for our future business in India than Tata Advanced Systems. We are extremely pleased to have joined forces with Tata to exhibit this unique technology, with the plan of eventually being able to bring the Fancraft™ revolution to the Indian market”. |
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The Tata Group is one of India's largest and most respected business conglomerates, with revenues in 2006-07 of $28.8 billion (Rs129,994 crore), the equivalent of about 3.2 per cent of the country's GDP, and a market capitalization of $65 billion (as on Feb 8, 2008). Tata companies together employ over 300,000 people. |
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Urban Aeronautics (UrbanAero) is the world leader in developing technology for Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft that are capable of flying and operating inside of complex urban and natural environments. UrbanAero is backed by a world-class team with over 25 years experience in aerospace research and development. |
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