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Groen Bros. DARPA Award
GROEN BROTHERS AVIATION SELECTED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY (DARPA) TO DESIGN NEXT GENERATION ROTORCRAFT FOR COMBAT SEARCH AND RESCUE Salt Lake City, Utah - November 7, 2005 - Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. (GBA) (OTC: BB GNBA) announced today that the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected a GBA-led team to design a proof of concept high speed, long range, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft designed for use in Combat Search and Rescue roles. Phase one of this potentially multi-year $40 million four phase program, begins with a fifteen month $6.4 million award to develop the preliminary design and perform key technology demonstrations. This modern rotorcraft, named by DARPA as the "Heliplane" is designed to exploit GBA's gyrodyne technology, offering the VTOL capability of a helicopter, the fast forward flight of an airplane, and the safety, simplicity and reliability of a GBA gyroplane. This aircraft type could be the next generation rotor wing aircraft, meeting economy and performance goals not considered achievable by any other type of VTOL aircraft. DARPA is the central research and development organization for the US Department of Defense (DoD). It manages and directs select basic and applied research for DoD, emphasizing technology development projects where payoff is high and where success may provide dramatic advances in the capabilities of our combat forces. "DARPA is a vastly diverse and capable organization charged with developing the world's most advanced science in military technologies of every kind," said David Groen, President and CEO of Groen Brothers Aviation. "The DARPA team is an amazing collection of scientists, engineers, and management and administrative cadre, the likes of which have no equal. We are most impressed with their dedication and are delighted with having been selected." "Our Team," said Jay Groen, GBA's Chairman of the Board, "includes The Georgia Institute of Technology, Adam Aircraft Industries, Williams International, and a highly renowned team of aerospace consultants." Georgia Tech is a top U.S. graduate engineering research university, with premier aerospace engineering programs and its world famous rotary wing technology program. Adam Aircraft is highly respected for its innovative use of modern composite materials, engineering quality, and rapid prototyping processes that has allowed Adam to bring to market two new high-performance aircraft: the six passenger "center-line-twin" A500 and the A700 personal jet. Williams International has developed more than 40 different small gas turbine engine systems for both military and commercial air vehicles, including the Adam A700 and many other modern "biz-jets." The GBA contract with DARPA is based upon the "gyrodyne" concept long espoused by Groen Brothers Aviation and extensively researched by Georgia Tech. A gyrodyne is similar in appearance to a winged helicopter, and like a helicopter is capable of hovering and vertical takeoff and landing. Unlike a helicopter, however, a gyrodyne's rotor is driven by rotor blade reaction drives and are powered only during hover, takeoff and landing. During forward flight, like a gyroplane, the rotor is not powered, with forward thrust being provided by engines typical of an airplane. This use of reaction drives for rotor power and main engines for forward thrust eliminates the need for much of the cost, weight, and complexity found in helicopters, while permitting much higher forward speeds. About Groen Brothers Aviation, Inc. Developing gyroplane technology since 1986, GBA is recognized as the world's leading authority on autorotative flight. The company has developed the Rolls-Royce gas turbine engine powered Hawk 4, the world's first commercially viable modern gyroplane - the first "autogiro" to utilize a jet engine. The Hawk 4 Gyroplane was used extensively for security aerial patrol missions during the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. The gyroplane's inherently simple design offers a safe and affordable alternative to helicopters and airplanes for many applications, including aerial observation roles in both government and private applications, agricultural aerial application, tour guide flights, and cargo/passenger transport. Through its American Autogyro division, the company has also developed and is currently selling a smaller kit gyroplane, the two seat "SparrowHawk," and developing a production two seat gyroplane for the Light Sport Aircraft market. These designs also provide a safe, extremely economical Airborne Patrol Vehicle (APV) for law enforcement and other government applications. The Company continues to develop a nationwide dealership network for the sale of these products. Further information about the Company, its products, and individual members of the GBA Team is available on the Company's web site at: www.gbagyros.com. Safe Harbor Statement/Forward Looking Information Disclaimer Certain statements in this news release by Groen Brothers Aviation are forward-looking within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward looking information is subject to risk and uncertainty. Certain statements in this Press Release may contain forward looking information that involves risk and uncertainty, including but not limited to, the Company's ability to fund ongoing operations and to complete its obligations under the government contract and its other ongoing commitments. Future results and trends depend on a variety of factors, including the Company's successful execution of internal performance plans; product development and performance; risks associated with regulatory certifications of the Company's commercial aircraft by U.S. and foreign governments; government bid uncertainty; other regulatory uncertainties; performance issues with key suppliers and subcontractors; governmental export and import policies; and the ability to adequately finance operations including meeting its debt obligations, fund manufacturing and delivery of products. |
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Groen Bros. DARPA Award
I'd pick the R44 over this anyday of the week.
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Groen Bros. DARPA Award
Flyingmonk wrote:
I'd pick the R44 over this anyday of the week. Just asking. Why? -- boB, SAG 70 U.S. Army Aviation (retired) Central Texas - 5NM West of Gray Army Airfield (KGRK) |
#4
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Groen Bros. DARPA Award
Because it is able to hower. The ability to hower is the only reason why
people buy helicopters which are more complex, more expesive and slower than fixed wing aircrafts. George "boB" schrieb im Newsbeitrag ... Flyingmonk wrote: I'd pick the R44 over this anyday of the week. Just asking. Why? -- boB, SAG 70 U.S. Army Aviation (retired) Central Texas - 5NM West of Gray Army Airfield (KGRK) |
#5
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Groen Bros. DARPA Award
On Fri, 11 Nov 2005 00:42:34 +0100, in rec.aviation.rotorcraft, George Vranek
said: Because it is able to hower. The ability to hower is the only reason why people buy helicopters which are more complex, more expesive and slower than fixed wing aircrafts. George, You're right in that if there's a need to hover, for all practical purposes a helicopter would be the aircraft of choice. On the other hand, I think you're missing the point about the DARPA project as described in the press release... They aren't talking about a helicopter application. The press release said: "...high speed, long range, vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft..." which doesn't sound like too many helicopters I've heard of. But the "gyrodyne"... a hybrid aircraft arguably combining some of the best aspects of a gyroplane, a helicopter, and possibly even a fixed wing aircraft... could possibly fit the requirements. A gyrodyne has the ability to takeoff and land vertically (though not likely hover accurately for extended periods) and cruise at higher speeds using lower power than a helicopter can. If you think about it, maybe there are applications better suited to something like a gyrodyne verses a helicopter or even a STOL fixed wing... like when there's a need for both high cruising airspeeds and the ability to takeoff or land from very small unimproved landing areas (ones with no runway). I'm sure back when the automobile was first explored, some folks said: "I'll take a horse any day." Ya gotta keep an open mind. Just a thought! Respectfully, John L. (Former Army helicopter pilot, and currently a gyroplane pilot.) |
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Groen Bros. DARPA Award
Ya gotta keep an open mind. Just a thought! Respectfully, John L. (Former Army helicopter pilot, and currently a gyroplane pilot.) Hey John..... I don't recall the name but I was flying Army from 1970 - 1995. Even if we haven't met I'm sure our paths have crossed somewhere along the line. My dream was to build a RAF2000 Gyro, mostly because of the enclosed cockpit and the standard type seating. I had even contacted an IP in Pensacola about the training. I learned my lesson about thinking I needed no new instruction after buying my Sprint II. that little guy was a handful until I settled down. It flys so slow I felt like I was hovering over the fields. The RAF2000 would be as good as some small fixed wings with the only drawback of lack of storage space with 2 people inside. That dream is on hold now but what do you fly? I would like to hear your experiences. http://flightsims.vze.com/raf2000 Take Care, -- boB, SAG 70 U.S. Army Aviation (retired) Central Texas - 5NM West of Gray Army Airfield (KGRK) |
#7
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Groen Bros. DARPA Award
boB wrote:
My dream was to build a RAF2000 Gyro, mostly because of the enclosed cockpit and the standard type seating. I had even contacted an IP in Pensacola about the training. I learned my lesson about thinking I Bob (bOB? , in the Pensacola neck of the woods there are about half a dozen gyroplanes at the Brewton muni airport (about 50 miles north of PNS). I come by this knowledge from passing within a few miles of Brewton last year and talking with a gyroplane there on unicom. Since the gyro community is a fairly small and tight, you may have already heard about them. |
#8
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Gyro's was Groen Bros. DARPA Award
Jim Carriere wrote:
boB wrote: My dream was to build a RAF2000 Gyro, mostly because of the enclosed cockpit and the standard type seating. I had even contacted an IP in Pensacola about the training. I learned my lesson about thinking I Bob (bOB? , in the Pensacola neck of the woods there are about half a dozen gyroplanes at the Brewton muni airport (about 50 miles north of PNS). I come by this knowledge from passing within a few miles of Brewton last year and talking with a gyroplane there on unicom. Since the gyro community is a fairly small and tight, you may have already heard about them. boB... there are so many Bob's that I spell my name backwards. I didn't know about Brewton. The IP I called was something like "dolph" something. I wold have to go back through my folder on the gyro. I hope some day to be flying again. Right now the pain medication I take is so strong I don't even drive a car any more. My wife, bless her heart, did not let me get in my ultralight even though I protested that flying it was so easy I couldn't possibly get hurt. I sold it. But I can always keep hoping. My Toy http://img247.imageshack.us/img247/3...rastrip8lz.jpg -- boB, SAG 70 U.S. Army Aviation (retired) Central Texas - 5NM West of Gray Army Airfield (KGRK) |
#9
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Groen Bros. DARPA Award
"George Vranek" wrote in message ... Because it is able to hower. The ability to hower is the only reason why people buy helicopters which are more complex, more expesive and slower than fixed wing aircrafts. George The quote above means you have no understanding of why a helicopter is useful. I own two planes and a helicopter. The airplanes only take me to airports. The Jet Ranger can take me where I'm actually going. I rarely have any need to hover. Bart |
#10
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Groen Bros. DARPA Award
"George Vranek" wrote in message ... Because it is able to hower. The ability to hower is the only reason why people buy helicopters which are more complex, more expesive and slower than fixed wing aircrafts. George The quote above means you have no understanding of why a helicopter is useful. I own two planes and a helicopter. The airplanes only take me to airports. The Jet Ranger can take me where I'm actually going. I rarely have any need to hover. Bart |
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