DayStar Technologies (Nasdaq: DSTI) and Auxilia, Inc. today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to design and develop fully integrated photovoltaic (PV) power systems for the unmanned airship (lighter-than-air vehicle) marketplace.
The objective of the agreement is to develop plug-and-play architecture for existing and developing products of both companies that could enable diverse airship configurations for low, middle and stratospheric altitude applications. Worldwide, over 40 airship programs are underway. Low cost, serviceability and range of coverage make airships ideal for a variety of communications, surveillance, data relay, and broadband applications for military and commercial telecommunications. Airship platforms offer a solution for addressing a wide range of urgent military and homeland defense needs. Among these are force protection, port security, border monitoring, surface surveillance, enemy target acquisition and beyond line-of-sight communications.
DayStar and Auxilia will focus on integrating DayStar’s proprietary LightFoil(TM) photovoltaic power product with Auxilia’s products by utilizing the Auxilia Airship Simulation Center (AASC). LightFoil(TM) is specifically designed for unmanned airship applications where weight, high power generation and physical flexibility are required. The AASC is a world-class repository of lighter-than-air-vehicle (LTAV) and communications systems engineering data and expertise. The center offers users the ability to minimize project time, cost, and risk by modeling airframe, payload and communications-linked applications. Upon completion of modeling and simulation, the companies will launch pilot configurations on airships.
“Generating power for optimized LTAV payload and propulsion systems remains a problem,” commented Don DeVito, Auxilia’s President & CEO. “DayStar’s LightFoil(TM) product has unique performance and low weight characteristics that can produce the required power without adversely affecting airship buoyancy.”
The companies believe that their plug-and-play product concepts will minimize complex airship power systems challenges, thus substantially accelerating introduction of advanced airship systems.
www.auxiliainc.com
Loading...