MTSI Attends SOAR Oregon Unmanned Systems Hangar Ribbon Cutting
June 28, 2017
Mr. Earl Bowerman, CEO, SOAR Oregon; Mr. Jeff Mabry, MTSI Flight Test Lead; Mr. Hilaire, Senator Wyden, Mr. Lewis-Berry, Mr. John Stevens, COO, SOAR Oregon; Honorable John Turner, Mayor, Pendleton; and Mrs. Catherine Cahill, Director, Alaska Center for Unmanned Aircraft Systems Integration (ACUASI)
MTSI’s flight test support to Vahana, a project from A3 by Airbus, recently achieved a significant milestone with the dedication of a brand new 9,600 sq ft hangar at the Eastern Oregon Regional Airport in Pendleton, Oregon. The first of its kind at a Part 139 certified airport in the United States, the City of Pendleton used an approximate $1 million loan from the Governor of Oregon to construct this facility to specifications provided by MTSI and A3. The complex will be capable of housing two or more unmanned aerial systems with 53’ and 60’ wide hangar doors with 16’ of vertical clearance. The nearly 900 sq ft of air conditioned office space enjoys the fastest internet in the State of Oregon with up to 3 Gb access. The structure is complete with abundant natural light and fluorescent T-5 energy efficient lighting as well as restrooms, shower, heating, and cypher locks for secure access. The hangar’s most distinguishing feature is the unique 1,000 amp, 480 volt 3 phase and 208 volt 3 phase electrical system installed to handle the battery demands of Vahana.
Mobile Command Center
Also on display during the hangar dedication was a newly developed Mobile Command Center capable of monitoring, directing, and controlling ground and test flights for unmanned aerial systems. The MCC will accommodate workstations for up to eight test personnel, Range Safety Officer workstation, intercom and VHF communications, weather monitoring, two separate Ethernet networks, GPS signal, spectrum analyzer, E-O tracking camera, video recording, and data storage. The MCC will be used to support initial ground testing at Vahana’s Santa Clara, California facilities and then further ground and eventual flight testing at the Pendleton UAS Range, Oregon.