UAS Early Days
Leigh Aerosystems traces its roots back to the early 1970s, when our founder, Dr. Gordon Harris, began pioneering work in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) with his company Developmental Sciences Inc. (DSI). This groundbreaking research was primarily funded by a series of small Army demonstration and build contracts. Key projects included the development of the Aquila air-vehicle (in collaboration with Lockheed), Aquila’s automatic net recovery system, Armed SkyEye live firing tests, and parafoil recovery operations both on land and at sea.
In 1985, DSI was acquired by Lear Siegler Corporation, which continued to advance the SkyEye program. This effort culminated in a significant contract awarded by the Government of Egypt in 1987, for the delivery and support of a comprehensive system comprising 22 aircraft, three ground stations, electro-optical payloads, and additional equipment.
Later, DSI, then a division of Lear, was acquired by BAE Systems, which continued to support the SkyEye system until 2013.
Egyptian Procurement of SkyEye R4E-50 UAS Announced (1987)
In recent years, the BAE SkyEye operations in Egypt began to decline. Eventually, BAE and the Egyptian User agreed to part ways and recruited Leigh to undertake the refurbishment of equipment and other necessary upgrades to provide ongoing support. That effort has been successfully completed, and normal operations have resumed.
Despite these upgrades, three decades of use and advancements in UAS technology had affected the system’s performance, prompting the User to request that Leigh develop a modern air vehicle and communications system to replace the aging R4E-50 UAS.
In 2016, the development of the new R4G-50 system was completed and deliveries are in process.
Innovative Advancements: The LongShot Era
Continuing its legacy of innovation, from 1989 to early 2003, Leigh Aerosystems embarked on an ambitious journey to revolutionize conventional munitions with the development of the “LongShot” wing kit variants.
These innovative kits transformed a wide range of unguided munitions into air-launched, precision-guided, stand-off weapons. This groundbreaking work was fueled by Leigh’s private investments and a series of demonstration programs with esteemed partners, including the United States Air Force (USAF), Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF), Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), and the Royal Australian Air Force (RTAAF).
The LongShot product line’s success culminated in its acquisition by Lockheed Martin in 2003, marking a significant milestone in our legacy of innovation.
Below, you can explore photos capturing the milestones and achievements of the LongShot era.
SWAK
Building on the success of LongShot, Leigh Aerosystems developed the Swing-Wing Adapter Kit (SWAK), an advanced air-launched precision-guided standoff kit for existing munitions. As shown in the adjacent images, SWAK is a self-contained wing kit that offers all-weather, accurate, autonomous standoff GPS enroute and terminal guidance capabilities. This system is compatible with a wide range of munitions, including Mk-82, Mk-83, GBU-12, and GBU-16.
The SWAK can be installed on any compatible munition in under 40 minutes and is designed for integration with fixed-wing aircraft equipped with ejector racks featuring 14-inch lug spacing. For aircraft lacking a 1760 bus, Leigh offers a wireless system that allows aircrews to communicate with the wing-mounted store, ensuring launch readiness and target setting.
While SWAK is not currently in production, Leigh Aerosystems is open to exploring how this proven technology can be customized to meet your specific requirements.
| Munition | CEP (M) | Stand-off Range (nmi) (15 Kft*) | Stand-off Range (nmi) (30 Kft*) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mk-82 | <10 | 23 | 41 |
| Mk-83 | <10 | 18 | 35 |
| GBU-12 | <2 | 16 | 30 |
| GBU-16 | <2 | 12 | 22 |
* Launch altitude at m 0.8
