FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jun 06, 2011
Company’s Director of Army Programs Receives Award for Outstanding Aerospace Management
SAN DIEGO – 6 June 2011 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), tactical reconnaissance radars, and surveillance systems, today announced that it was recently honored by the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) with a local award for outstanding aerospace management. The San Diego Section is dedicated to promoting awareness, activism, and access throughout the aerospace community.
In the category of Outstanding Contribution to Aerospace Management, GA-ASI’s Aircraft Systems Group Director of Army Programs, Don Cattell, was recognized for the development and deployment ahead of schedule of the MQ-1C Gray EagleTM UAS. The award is presented to candidates who have made significant contributions to the leadership and management of aerospace companies, organizations, or projects.
“Don Cattell’s contributions to the UAS community have greatly advanced the capabilities of the U.S. Army war fighter and significantly bolstered our company’s position as a predominant leader in the global UAS marketplace,” said Frank Pace, president, Aircraft Systems Group, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
Mr. Cattell has been directly responsible for the success of the Gray Eagle UAS – the U.S. Army’s newest and most advanced UAS – and also manages the company’s line of Army
I-GNAT® ER/Sky Warrior® Alpha UAS, a derivative of the combat-proven Predator® UAS. Under his leadership, an effort was successfully made to deploy an early version of the Gray Eagle aircraft using legacy data link and Ground Control Station (GCS) equipment. This early Block 0 aircraft was deployed to Iraq in April 2008, 16 months ahead of the original contract schedule, and immediately reflected tremendous reliability. Mr. Cattell was also responsible for early fielding of the first Gray Eagle Block 1 system as part of a Quick Reaction Capability I (QRC I) fielding in July 2009 and supported a second fielding (QRC II) in October 2010.
High-resolution photos of Mr. Cattell and Gray Eagle are available upon request to qualified media outlets from the GA-ASI media contact listed below.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., an affiliate of General Atomics, delivers situational awareness by providing unmanned aircraft, radar, and electro-optic solutions for military and commercial applications worldwide. The company’s Aircraft Systems Group is a leading designer and manufacturer of proven, reliable unmanned aircraft systems, including Predator A, Predator B, Gray Eagle, and the new Predator C Avenger®. It also manufactures a variety of solid-state digital GCS, including the next-generation Advanced Cockpit GCS, and provides pilot training and support services for UAS field operations. The Reconnaissance Systems Group designs, manufactures, and integrates the Lynx® Multi-mode Radar and sophisticated Claw® sensor control and image analysis software into both manned and unmanned aircraft. It also integrates other sensor and communication equipment into manned ISR aircraft and develops emerging technologies in solid-state lasers, electro-optic sensors, and ultra-wideband data links for government applications. For more information, please visit www.ga-asi.com.
Gray Eagle is a trademark and I-GNAT, Sky Warrior, Predator, Avenger, Lynx, and Claw are registered trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
For more information contact:
Kimberly Kasitz
Public Relations Manager
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.
+1.858.312.2294