Scott Nicholas
A Textron business unit has established a new facility for unmanned aircraft system training and maintenance activities to support research on UAS integration into national airspace.
The unmanned systems service and support center houses Textron Systems‘ training and global service operations, the company’s schoolhouse for operators and maintainers and its sustainment operations for the Aerosonde small UAS, Textron said Monday.
“With this expansion, we have the opportunity to train more operators, maintain additional UAS and continue our research on integrating UAS into national airspace,” said Bill Irby, Textron Systems unmanned systems senior vice president and general manager.
The 14,700 square-foot facility includes three classrooms with a 12-student capacity each, two simulator rooms that can support up to 12 flight simulators, an engine test cell, an air vehicle test cell and work space for air vehicle assembly, engine maintenance, repair and operations, Textron said.
The Mid-Atlantic Aviation Partnership will also support the unmanned systems service and support center, which is located along the Allen C. Perkinson Airport and Blackstone Army Airfield taxiway in Virginia.
