TAG Unveils New Composite UAV Helicopters to Global Military Audience

TAG unveils a revolutionary all composite UAV helicopter in Paris. The extremely light weight and strength of the aircraft and allows for a very significant advancement in performance, payload and endurance. This new class of UAV warfare capability can now perform many missions that previously put human pilots in serious danger and carry out high risk assignments that would have been impossible without loss of personnel.

Beverly Hills, CA July 12, 2004 -- Tactical Aerospace Group (TAG) made it's first public showing of the revolutionary new composite TAG-M65 and TAG-M80 UAV helicopters in Paris at the UAV 2004 International Conference and at the Eurosatory 2004 International Military Exposition.

The new helicopters are unique in their construction and design with a completely composite airframe which is a first for VTOL UAVs. The composite structure accounts for the extremely light weight and strength of the aircraft and allows for a very significant advancement in performance, payload and endurance for UAV helicopters.

The TAG-M65 and TAG-M80 now provide the military community a new class of UAV warfare capability. The greatly enhanced capacity of these helicopters accord the successful implementation of much larger and more useful payloads for their battlefield and patrol requirements. With available load capacities of up to 20kg (44 lbs) and endurance of up to 8 hours these aircraft can perform remote or autonomous missions of nearly 800 km (500 miles) carrying surveillance, communications, sensory, jamming or dozens of other payload categories. "The helicopters can now perform many missions that previously put human pilots in serious danger and carry out high risk assignments that would have been impossible without loss of personnel," said Peter Adler, TAG Military Liaison.

The new composite design is well suited to harsh military applications as there are virtually no airframe components to fail or adjust which keeps maintenance to a minimum and field reliability very high. The modular construction also allows the tail boom to be separated from the main fuselage in minutes providing for a truly man-portable helicopter that can be carried by special operations forces and similar units.

"As expected the helicopter generated tremendous official interest from many government and military organizations and we will be busy with a rigorous schedule of tests and field trials over the next few months as these groups merge the helicopters and the new found capabilities into their battle plans. Specific interest was also expressed for developing a weaponization program," Mr. Adler noted.

The TAG-M65 and TAG-M80 are in full production and additional versions are available for civil and commercial users such as law enforcement, inspection services, utility patrol, agricultural interests as well as film and media applications.

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