Honeywell Lends an Eye to the War Effort in Iraq
Honeywell, a Fortune 500 company and
multinational corporation based in the U.S., declared today that their MAV
(Micro Air Vehicle) will be deployed in Iraq. These MAVs will be used to spot
IEDs (improvised explosive devices) from the air. The MAV deployment represents
the very first time a ducted-fan UAV (unmanned air vehicle) will be used in
combat.
"Honeywell recently received two contracts from
the U.S. Navy totaling $7.5 million for the manufacture of more than a dozen
MAV systems as well as training and
deployment support in Iraq."
Every MAV is equipped with video cameras that send data to
soldiers via a portable handheld terminal. Each MAV measures only 13 inches in
diameter (33 cm), weighs just 16 pounds, and can be carried in a backpack. The
MAV allows soldiers to inspect potentially dangerous areas without exposing themselves
to danger.
