Latest News
November 30, 2009 - Cloud Cap Technology announces 2010 Trade Show Schedule:
- Singapore Air Show: Changi Exhibition Centre, Singapore February 2-7, 2010
- DEFEXPO India 2010: New Delhi, India, February 15-19, 2010
- Heli Expo 2010: Houston, TX February 20-23, 2010
- SPIE: Orlando, FL April 5-9
- Quad-A: Arlington, VA April 14-17
- Sensors Expo & Conference: Rosemount, IL June 7-9, 2009
- ALEA: Tucson, AZ July 14-17
- Farnborough Air Show: Farnborough, Hampshire UK Jul 19-25
- AUVSI’s North America: Denver, CO Aug 24-27
- Kansas Symposium: Overland Park, KS Oct 4-6
- AUSA: Arlington, VA Oct 25-27
Cloud Cap will be exhibiting at AUVSI’s Unmanned Systems North America in Denver, Colorado August 24th through the 27th. We will be part of the Goodrich ISR Systems booth along with Sensors Unlimited, Inc. We’re excited to display our full line of TASE Gimbals and Piccolo autopilots, as well as showcase new, soon to be released products. Gimbal focused developments for 2010/2011 include the integration of the TAU 640 IR camera in the TASE Duo, a multi-spectral imager gimbal with SWIR, LWIR and EO cameras, as well as an MWIR (mid wave infrared) gimbal with continuous zoom IR capability. Come by and visit us in booth #2215.
June 19, 2010 - Cloud Cap Technology will be exhibiting at two shows in the month of July.
We are happy to once again be a part of the AUVSI exhibit in the UAV Pavilion at the Farnborough International Airshow. This global aviation conference and exhibition takes place on a biennial basis in the United Kingdom. This year’s event will be July 19th through the 25th. Cloud Cap will be exhibiting an array of TASE gimbals, to include the T2, TASE LT, TASE & TASE Duo, as well as our Piccolo line of autopilots. Visit our booth in the AUVSI UAV Pavilion in Hall 3, Stand D20 and at the Goodrich Pavilion at OE4 near Hall 1.
Cloud Cap will also be exhibiting at the Airborne Law Enforcement Association annual conference in Tucson, Arizona from July 14 through the 16th. This will be our third year attending the ALEA show. We’re excited to display our TASE family of gimbals. These small, stabilized gimbals are perfect for the airborne law enforcement market. Our daylight and infrared sensors are field-proven and offer an affordable ISR solution for both fixed-wing and rotorcraft platforms. Come see us at Booth #1505!
April 28, 2010 - Cloud Cap Technology Releases ViewPoint 2.1.2
ViewPoint, an update to Gimbal UI, is the next generation of TASE Gimbal control software. The new software offers a cleaner, simpler user interface with an array of new features, while maintaining the richness of customization previously available.
- Simple, touch-screen friendly interface
- Picture-in-picture window that supports swapping live video and moving-map
- Improved tools for verifying elevation coverage
- Native support of OpenStreetMap and BingMap imagery on the moving map
- User-selectable units, including MGRs and UTM coordinates.
- Geo-stamping (marks map, takes still picture and records GPS coordinates of user designated feature)
ViewPoint is available in three feature levels: DEMO, LITE, and PRO.
See the Feature Table for ViewPoint Software
** This feature is enabled in ViewPoint without a license, however, "License Required" will be posted across the screen.
ViewPoint PRO also supports new video exploitation features that can be purchased separately:- Real-time mosaicing of live video (real-time frame-to-frame video mosaicing for expanded Field of View)
- Automated Path Tracking (autonomous following of pre-loaded GPS coordinate-based path)
- Video on the map (live video geo-located and terrain warped over moving map)
- Electronic Stabilization- PC-based image based stabilization enhances mechanical gyro stabilization
- Scene Steering - PC-based scene tracking centers image and corrects for vehicle airspeed
- Object Tracking- PC-based user-designated, single object tracker
February 12, 2010 - Cloud Cap Technology at the Singapore Air Show.
The Cloud Cap booth featured the latest T2 Delta configuration, TASE LT and TASE Duo products at the Changi Exhibition Center February 2nd through the 7th. The team also introduced soon to be released versions of real-time video mosaicing, video on map features, and an all new touch screen gimbal user interface. Each of these advanced software features runs seamlessly on the TASE family of products.
All of the aforementioned products and features will be on display at the DefeEXPO trade show taking place in New Delhi, Feb 15-18th. Please come by and see us in Hall 7.
January 20, 2010 - British Army to showcase TASE LT Gimbal at Bahrain International Airshow
The TASE LT Gimbal will be demonstrated by the British Army at the Bahrain International Airshow (BIAS), January 21-23, 2010 at the Sakhir Airbase in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The demonstration will include Goodrich's intelligence exploitation system as well as its new TASE LT stabilized camera gimbal integrated onto a developmental vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Read the full press release for more information.
January 11, 2010 – North American Surveillance Systems now shipping STC Approved TASE Gimbal Mounts.
Third Party Developer, North American Surveillance Systems (NASS), has developed a line of STC approved mounts for the TASE and TASE Duo gimbals on the 150-206 range of Cessna aircraft. The new mounts bolt around the strut of a Cessna and utilize a dovetail mechanism for easy installation and removal of the gimbal. A novice installer can mount a gimbal to a new plane in one hour and an expert within 20 minutes. The NASS line of mounts have been used for aerial firefighting, law enforcement and pipeline inspection with many more applications on the horizon.
December 16, 2009 – Nimbus UAV with TASE Gimbal Supports Turin Marathon.
The Nimbus Eos Xi UAV, using a TASE camera gimbal, was recently used to document and support a marathon in Turin, Italy. The Eos Xi, a new aerial platform combining the characteristics of a conventional aircraft, a dirigible and a hang-glider, is ideal for civilian applications including environmental survey, border observation, crowd management, and event documentation. The TASE gimbal provides Nimbus with a light weight, fully stabilized camera platform ideal for this unique air vehicle.
December 2, 2009 – Cloud Cap Technology announce new product price list.
An updated price list is now available from Cloud Cap Technology, which includes the new Piccolo SL, Navigator, and VPS. It also includes more configuration options for the T2 Gimbal as wells as a complete list of integration, peripherals, and accessory items designed to optimize CCT products and systems. For more information about Cloud Cap Technology’s products and services and/or to receive a new price list, please Contact us.
December 1, 2009 - Cloud Cap Technology implements new Software License Policy.
Cloud Cap Technology is implementing a new software license policy that will limit free user interface software upgrades to a period of one year from the date of purchase. Downloads of new software versions after the one year will require customer purchase of a software maintenance license (SML) which will permit downloads of updates for an additional 12 months. These maintenance licenses can be renewed on an annual basis to support perpetual new software version support. For more information, including pricing, please contact us.
October 22, 2009 - Arcturus T-20 makes successful air drops.
The Arcturus T-20 UAV successfully performed several airdrops during the 2009 PATCAD (Precision Airdrop Technology Conference and Demonstration) on October 22nd at Yuma Proving Ground. The T-20 carried a Cloud Cap Technology T2 gimbal as a means to track the 'Snowflake' payload to the target location. The computer guided 'Snowflake' hit the target zone five out of six times with significant crosswinds. The T-20 with Cloud Cap’s Piccolo autopilot is a catapult launched UAV with up to a 65lb payload capacity.
October 15, 2009 - Optimum Solutions releases portable automatic tracking antenna that is fully integrated with Piccolo autopilots.
The OS-PT-25 from Optimum Solutions is an automatic tracking system that is designed to provide GPS based positioning of high-gain antenna systems to support realtime airborne video and telemetry transmission requirements. The pedestal provides 45 lb-ft (61 N-m) of output torque on each axis. Heavy-duty ball bearings supporting the output shaft allow it to accommodate heavy payloads up to 100 lbs (45 kg). The system can accommodate large RHCP dishes, high-gain omnidirectional for diversity receive, and up two Yagi antennas for data comms. The system utilizes a RS-485 communications protocol which provides several advantages over RS-232. RS-485 allows communication over longer lengths of cable (1000 feet) and enables the ability for networking multiple nodes. The tracking antenna is controlled directly from Piccolo Command Center by using Cloud Cap Tech’s antenna plugin software.
October 13, 2009 – Piccolo Equipped Ion Tiger Fuel Cell Unmanned Air Vehicle Completes 23-Hour Flight.
The Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL’s) Ion Tiger, a hydrogen-powered fuel cell unmanned air vehicle (UAV), has flown 23 hours and 17 minutes, setting an unofficial flight endurance record for a fuel-cell powered flight. The test flight took place on October 9th through 10th at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The Ion Tiger fuel cell system development team is led by NRL and includes Protonex Technology Corporation, the University of Hawaii, and HyperComp Engineering. The program is sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). Read the full press release from the Naval Research Laboratory.
September 24, 2009 – SKYBUS 80K Lighter-than-Air Unmanned Aerial System completes pre programmed and in flight navigation routes with Piccolo II autopilot.
Science Applications International Corporation’s (SAIC’s) SKYBUS 80K Lighter-than-Air Unmanned Aerial System (LTA-UAS), controlled by a Piccolo II autopilot, successfully completed flights with pre-programmed and in-flight tasked navigation routes carrying a 500-pound payload in Maine.
Science Applications International Corporation’s (SAIC’s) SKYBUS 80K Lighter-than-Air Unmanned Aerial System (LTA-UAS), controlled by a Piccolo II autopilot, successfully completed flights with pre-programmed and in-flight tasked navigation routes carrying a 500-pound payload in Maine on September 24. Flights were conducted in the National Airspace at the Loring Commerce Center, affording flight operations within a six-mile radius around the airfield.
Cloud Cap worked with vehicle primes SAIC and Telford Aviation to provide a Piccolo implementation of the control laws for the airship. The Piccolo II supported all of the automated flight modes for the successful tests. The next logical steps for advancing Piccolo controls will be implementation of autopilot controlled station-keeping, which will allow the airship to maintain a fixed position over a single waypoint on the ground.
The SKYBUS 80K is an 80,000-cubic-foot unmanned airship developed to carry more than 500 pounds of payload to 10,000 feet for 24 hours with a maximum speed of 50 knots. It can be used for a variety of security, intelligence, and communications relay operations. The system is able to demonstrate the utility of long-duration intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities where extended duration overhead capabilities are desired.
August 3, 2009 - TASE Duo makes debut with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Avwatch Inc. recently provided the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) with a fully integrated TASE Duo system onboard one of their OV-10 Air Attack aircraft. Avwatch combined the TASE Duo with a portable roll on/roll off kit which supported H.264 compression of the video and full IP connectivity to the aircraft within a 30 mile radius of CDF’s command center. Using Avwatch’s system CDF fire fighters were able to view and control the TASE Duo from either onboard the aircraft or in their command center while sharing geo-referenced imagery with anyone in their network. To ensure interoperability with other first responders and Department of Defense 
systems, Avwatch built a Cursor on Target plug-in for the TASE Duo’s Gimbal UI software. The Cursor on Target (CoT) plug-in takes the TASE Duo’s gimbal information and converts it to CoT XML schema to enable the information to be viewed in Google Earth, FalconView, C2PC, or in more than 100 other systems. Interested Gimbal UI customers may obtain the plug-in by contacting Cloud Cap Technology for further information
Avwatch Inc. is a service disabled veteran owned small business based in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. In addition to providing customized kits, Avwatch also operates their own aircraft outfitted with Cloud Cap Technology sensor systems, ROVER datalinks, and high speed AES 256 encrypted data links to support real time full motion video, voice over IP, and ground based control of sensor systems. To support customer requirements, Avwatch has built a web interface certified for use through government firewalls to support real time full motion video, tasking, and situational awareness. Their web interface also provides archive and retrieval capabilities of all data collected. For more information or a demonstration account, contact operations@avwatch.us
June 22, 2009 – VPS Product Release
The Video Processing System (VPS) has been released to provide advanced gimbal image processing functionality for the TASE and TASE Duo gimbals. This stand alone unit (0.81in x 3.7in x 4.25in, 6.55oz) provides object tracking, scene steering, image stabilization, and data overlays. The control interface is via the TASE gimbal, providing a clean integration. Image processing functionality is the same as that integrated into the T2 gimbal and allows system performance benefits over using the Gimbal UI - Object Tracking plug-in in many cases. Please contact Cloud Cap Technology to discuss the benefits of including a VPS in your gimbal system.
May 1, 2009 – Goodrich Corporation acquires Cloud Cap Technology
On May 1, 2009, the Goodrich Corporation completed the acquisition of Cloud Cap Technology, Inc. CCT is now a part of Goodrich's ISR Systems business unit. We will continue to provide the same focus on customers with our product development and technical support - enhanced by the additional support of Goodrich and its wide range of technical expertise.
"This acquisition provides Goodrich with an increased presence in the rapidly growing small military UAV market, and also expands our ability to offer complete ISR imaging solutions for these platforms," said Curtis Reusser, Segment President, Electronic Systems at Goodrich. "CCT's experience in providing powerful integrated solutions can dramatically reduce the time required to implement new unmanned aircraft systems, and we are pleased to have their advanced proprietary products join our broad portfolio of high-tech systems."
Ross Hoag, President of CCT, said, "We have had a very successful run in building Cloud Cap Technology to its current size and capabilities with customer-focused technologies that are second to none. In joining Goodrich, we can gain the support needed to grow the business while maintaining our entrepreneurial drive for increasingly innovative technical solutions."
February 3-4, 2009 – Manta UAV Test Flight with T2 Gimbal
The Manta unmanned aircraft system, equipped with Cloud Cap Technology’s T2 Gimbal and Piccolo II Autopilot, recently flew a series of successful test flights demonstrating the ability of the T2 to identify targets at ranges of 3,000 to 4,000 feet. The T2 Gimbal, weighing just 5 lbs, was setup with the standard integrated image processing with object tracking, Sony FCB-EX980 and the FLIR Photon 640 IR camera (14 deg FOV) configuration. The Manta integration of the T2 gimbal was smoothly achieved and the gimbal performance was excellent. Program manager Chris Troudt stated that “…the T2 is an excellent match for the Manta. Together they provide a powerful combination.” Test flights also included a series of autonomous takeoff and landings in 15 to 30 kt winds utilizing the DGPS auto-land and take off software feature available on all Cloud Cap Technology’s Piccolo Autopilots. The Manta provides a 6+ hrs of flight with 40-90 kt cruise speeds.
January 6, 2009 – The MLB Company announces the Piccolo and Gimbal Hardware Equipped Bat 3 CC
The MLB Company announces the Bat 3 CC, the latest version of the popular Bat 3 series with Cloud Cap Technology’s autopilot and gimbal hardware. The MLB Company was founded in 1987 and specializes in complete ready-to-fly UAV systems. The Bat 3CC, a low-cost UAV system with 6 hours of duration, is now available from MLB with the Piccolo II autopilot and TASE or TASE Duo gimbal system. Initial units have been delivered to the Air Force Research Labs and have performed successfully in flight trials. Prices start at around $80,000 for a complete ready to fly system including all support equipment. For further information please contact , (650) 966-1022.
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