General Dynamics European Land Systems and Sky-Watch partner to explore future opportunities for UAV technology in the battlefield

Posted on 2015-05-23

UAVs are becoming an integral part of modern warfare and provide increased situational awareness for troops and commanders on the ground. General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) has signed a Memorandum of Interest (MOI) with Danish UAV company Sky-Watch in Støvring, which allows the two companies to explore potential areas of cooperation within next generation applications of the UAV technology in the battlefield.

“Sky-Watch is constantly striving to be at the forefront of the rapidly developing UAV technology. We offer our vast accumulated know-how within sensor fusion to our partners, in the pursuit of finding new ways to solve tomorrow’s challenges. We constantly re-think and re-define the value proposition, of our own as well as our partners’ ideas and concepts and I believe that we can identify some very exiting avenues of cooperation with General Dynamics European Land Systems”, says Michael Messerschmidt, Sky-Watch Chief Business Development Officer.

Sky-Watch currently offers the Huginn X1 multi-purpose Quadrotor UAV deployed all over the world and is currently developing the Muninn X1, a next-generation fixed-Wing VTOL UAV. The future of UAVs in the battlefield will be explored by Sky-Watch Labs, the research and development arm of Sky-Watch, in cooperation with partners such as the Technical University of Denmark on a variety of projects.

With regard to the acquisition of new Armored Personnel Carriers (APC) for the Danish Army, General Dynamics European Land Systems is prepared to take its partnerships with Danish industry to the next level and explore business in adjacent markets like the one of Sky-Watch. GDELS has signed Industry Cooperation agreements with 40 Danish companies of all sizes across the country and has already defined projects in excess of 3,7  billion  kroner covering all of the technology areas defined in the Danish Government´s Defence industry strategy.

“Throughout the past 20 years GDELS Industry Cooperation program has been one of the catalysts for the development of the Danish defence industry. We have executed projects of almost 1,7 billion kroner with the industry, which has helped to contribute to the development of new products and technologies in a variety of companies. By engaging with an innovative and creative company such as Sky-Watch, we help plant the seed for the future of the Danish defence industry “, says Jens Bauer, GDELS Senior Director International Business & Services, responsible for Industrial Participation.

GDELS´s Industry Cooperation plan for the APC program is based on 20 years of experience and partnership with Danish industry. The program expands relationships beyond production and sustainment contracts to also include research & development projects, which will lay the foundation for growth in the Danish Defence industry for decades to come.

About GDELS

General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) is a business unit of US based General Dynamics Corporation and conducts its business through European operating sites located in Spain, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Czech Republic. For the past 20 years GDELS has delivered hundreds of PIRANHA, EAGLE and DURO armored vehicles to the Danish Army. GDELS´s Industry Cooperation programs have generated almost 1,7 billion kroner of revenue for Danish industry out of which 700 million kroner have been generated on a purely commercial basis. Partnerships with and assistance from GDELS has enabled Danish industry to access General Dynamics Corporation´s vast network and has created new technology development, export and employment opportunities. Long-term GDELS industry partners in Denmark include Falck Schmidt Defence Systems, Terma, Nissens and TenCate. For more information about GDELS visit www.gdels.com

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