The A-160 Hummingbird, a vertical take-off-and-landing UAV, has been designed to fly up to 2,500 plus nautical miles with 30 to 40 hour endurance. Its modular payload design can carry up to 1,000 pounds. The A-160 offers range and endurance unprecedented in the history of helicopter UAV design. It will provide reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, communication relay, precision re-supply, sensor delivery and eventually precision attack capabilities.
The A-160's unique characteristics address current and emerging requirements of the U.S. armed forces, Department of Homeland Security, and international military and security organizations. Frontier also sells the Maverick UAV, a retrofitted commercially available helicopter, to the U.S. Special Operations Command. The Maverick UAV has also been used as a test bed for A-160 technologies.
Boeing Phantom Works will complete development of the Hummingbird and then transfer the program to Boeing Integrated Defense Systems (IDS). Phantom Works recently transferred the Joint Unmanned Combat Air System X-45 program to IDS.
Phantom Works is the advanced research and development unit and catalyst of innovation for the Boeing enterprise. Through its Integrated Defense Advanced Systems group, it provides leading edge systems and technology solutions to Boeing Integrated Defense Systems, one the world's largest space and defense businesses.
About The Boeing Company
Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing (www.boeing.com) Integrated Defense Systems is a $27 billion business that provides systems solutions to its global military, government and commercial customers. It is a leading provider of intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance; the world's largest military aircraft manufacturer; the world's largest satellite manufacturer and a leading provider of space-based communications; the primary systems integrator for U.S. missile defense; NASA's largest contractor; and a global leader in launch services.
About Frontier Systems, Inc.
Frontier Systems Inc., is a developer of the A-160 Hummingbird and Maverick unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Frontier's platforms and technologies add to Boeing's portfolio and capabilities in unmanned systems that include the Joint Unmanned Combat Air System X-45, ScanEagle and other concepts under development. Terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed. The privately held Frontier Systems has about 70 employees and was formed in 1991. Frontier is based in Irvine, Calif., and also has operations in Victorville, Calif., for flight-test operations.
About Janes Capital Partners
Based in Irvine, CA, Janes Capital Partners (www.janescapital.com) is a leading investment banking firm focused solely on the Aerospace and Defense industry. The firm provides mergers and acquisition advisory services and assists clients in executing growth strategies and liquidity events. The members of Janes Capital Partners have completed more than 80 successful A&D transactions and $5.5 billion in closed transaction value. Securities transactions are conducted through JCP Securities, Inc., a registered Broker/Dealer, member FINRA/SIPC, and registered Investment Advisor.
Janes Capital Partners is an independent financial advisory firm that is affiliated with Oaklins International Inc (www.oaklins.com). Oaklins is the world’s most experienced mid-market M&A advisor, with 850 professionals globally and 15 dedicated industry teams in 45 countries.