ScanEagle racks up hours with Australians

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BINGEN, Wash., June 24 (UPI) -- The U.S.-made ScanEagle unmanned aerial system has reached 25,000 operational hours with Australian forces in Afghanistan.

Insitu Pacific, the Australia subsidiary of Insitu Inc., said the Australian Defense Force has used ScanEagle heavily since June 2007, with the aircraft notching up about 880 flight hours and 150 flights per month.

Insitu Pacific personnel work alongside Australian Army personnel in theater to provide 24/7 specialist support.

"Insitu Pacific is committed to supporting ADF operations to the highest standard," said Insitu Pacific Managing Director Andrew Duggan. "The past four years and 25,000 flight hours in Afghanistan have clearly demonstrated that commitment."

This high standard was recognized at the Australian Defense Magazine congress earlier this year, when Insitu Pacific received the "Team of the Year Award" for ADM's 2010 best "Defense Materiel Organization / Small to Medium Enterprise Team."

Insitu Pacific won the award in concert with the Army Aviation Systems Program Office Unmanned Air Vehicle Management Unit for their collaborative efforts delivering ScanEagle UAS services to the Australian Army in Australia and Afghanistan.

The ScanEagle UAS provides tactical aerial reconnaissance support to land forces in Afghanistan, protecting approximately 1,500 ADF personnel.