FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jun 01, 2012
Company's Director of Air Force Programs Receives Award for Outstanding
Aerospace Management
SAN DIEGO – 1 June 2012 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA‑ASI), a leading manufacturer of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), tactical reconnaissance radars, and electro-optic 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 U.S. Air Force (USAF) Programs, Mike Cannon, was recognized for the development, production, upgrade, and logistics support of the Predator® B/MQ-9 Reaper UAS, Ground Control Stations (GCS), and their associated systems. The award is presented to candidates who have made significant contributions to the leadership and management of aerospace companies, organizations, or projects.
"Mike Cannon's work in spearheading significant upgrades to Reaper, as well as Predator, has provided the warfighter with the necessary tactical advantages to save lives around the world," said Frank Pace, president, Aircraft Systems Group, GA-ASI.
Under Mr. Cannon's leadership, GA-ASI has delivered 280 Predators to the U.S. and Italian Air Forces and managed multiple upgrades to the combat-proven aircraft. He has also led his team through the successful development of the first Reaper prototype, and shortly thereafter transitioned it into its current production configuration. With an initial production rate of four per year, Mr. Cannon has grown Reaper production to its current annual rate of 48. His group has delivered 120 Predator Bs/MQ-9s to the USAF, U.S. Navy, the Royal Air Force, the Italian Air Force, and a variety of other customers. He is also responsible for the development of a new Reaper variant which will provide the warfighter with significant new capabilities. Additionally, Mr. Cannon is charged with managing a capability upgrade to the company's GCS line with the introduction of the next-generation Advanced Cockpit GCS. Currently in development, the Advanced Cockpit will be equipped with numerous new features designed to improve Predator/Reaper operator efficiency and increase situational awareness.
High-resolution photos of Mr. Cannon, Predator, Reaper, and the Advanced Cockpit 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 Ground Control Stations (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 develops and 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.
Predator, Gray Eagle, 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