WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., July 1, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Proxity Digital Networks, Inc. (Pink Sheets:PDNW) and Techsphere Systems International, Inc., announce through Cyber Aerospace Corp., an operating subsidiary of Proxity's On Alert Systems, that the SA-60 low altitude surveillance airship has flown at 10,000 feet altitude satisfying all flight criteria required under existing contracts. The 10,000 ft. flight took place as Cyber Aerospace conducted contractor demo flights for the U.S. Navy at Captain Walter Francis Duke Regional Airport in Hollywood, St. Mary's County Md.
Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) recently contracted with Cyber Aerospace and has been flight-testing the SA-60 spherical airship to evaluate its potential to satisfy future military and defense requirements. The SA-60 is manufactured by Techsphere Systems International. Cyber Aerospace holds the exclusive global government marketing rights to the SA-60 and other Techsphere advanced spherical airship designs. In addition, Sierra Nevada Corporation has entered an exclusive partnership agreement to provide technology, payload, and sensor integration for government and commercial end users.
The partnering companies accomplished the goals of the flight tests, climbing to 10,000 feet altitude in a flight sortie that lasted over three hours.
According to a recent published report, NAVAIRs purpose in conducting the demonstrations was to determine the characteristics of the SA-60 spherical airship, what it's really good at, find out what it can't do, quantify that, and then make that available to the Navy for consideration on future missions. The main thing NAVAIR is interested in is economical, persistent surveillance...an airship provides that better than any other vehicle. Airships can operate 25-30 percent cheaper than comparable rotary wing or fixed wing aircraft. http://www.aviationnow.com/avnow/news/channel_aerospacedaily_story.jsp?id=news/eva06294.xml
The SA-60 can be moved by truck and assembled in as little as 24 hours by a small contingent. The SA-60 airship currently requires an onboard pilot, but the companies are moving forward with plans to prepare an unmanned version, allowing for much longer flights. A larger operational version is expected to have a diameter of 76 feet, be able to attain and maintain a 16,000 foot altitude, and fly for up to two-days. Another version would have a diameter of 200-feet and would be capable of wide-area surveillance and/or telecommunications relay missions flying at altitudes up to 68,000 feet. This version could be constructed and test flown within 12 months. Outfitted with solar panels and regenerative fuel cell technology, the 200-foot airship could stay aloft for months.
About Proxity Digital Networks, Inc.
Proxity Digital Networks, Inc. is a developmental holding company specializing in the deployment and marketing of security protection technology and government contract fulfillment. The Company seeks to acquire and develop security technology. Proxity plans to enter into teaming and exclusive and nonexclusive marketing and distribution agreements with products developed for commercial, military and homeland defense. http://www.proxity.com
About On Alert Systems, Inc.
On Alert Systems, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Proxity Digital Networks. On Alert plans to acquire the marketing rights to offensive and defensive security technologies supporting a full line of interoperable protection disciplines. By acquiring a homogeneous Suite of Security Products through teaming and licensed marketing and distribution agreements, the Company plans to introduce the new product line to multiple markets. Though exclusive global licenses, On Alert has also licensed a developing system that uses acoustical and ultrasonic means to sense and evaluate activity pertinent to law enforcement, security and defense industries. Their prospective clients all share the need for enhanced security, mobile communication platforms and increased surveillance capabilities. http://www.onalertsystemsinc.com
About Cyber Aerospace Corp.
Cyber Aerospace Corp. is assembling a team of military experts, aerospace and composite engineers to design and build a new generation of airships. Cyber Aerospace plans to market the airships as multi-use platform vehicles deployed in surveillance and communication operations, and capable of target acquisition. Cyber Aerospace will provide engineering support and systems integration for the airships. Proxity's subsidiaries will market the airships to various branches of the U.S. government and our allies. http://www.cyberaerospace.com
About Techsphere Systems International, LLC
Techsphere Systems International, LLC is a manufacturer of low, mid and high altitude airships. Working in concert 21st Century Air Ships of Canada, the Company will build unique airship designs. The current airship design holds the world altitude record.http://www.techspheresystems.com
About Sierra Nevada Corporation
Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) is a progressive, rapidly growing defense electronics engineering and manufacturing enterprise. Founded in 1963, SNC has established a reputation for developing innovative electronic systems and for manufacturing reliable, high-quality products. The company's comprehensive capabilities include initial concept development through prototype demonstration to manufacturing, fielding and product support. SNC's engineering expertise spans a broad range of technologies and disciplines. http://www.sncorp.com
This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. These statements appear in a number of places in this release and include all statements that are not statements of historical fact regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company, its directors or its officers with respect to, among other things: (i) the Company's financing plans; (ii) trends affecting the Company's financial condition or results of operations; (iii) the Company's growth strategy and operating strategy; and (iv) the declaration and payment of dividends. The words "may," "would," "will," "expect," "estimate," "anticipate," "believe," "intend," and similar expressions and variations thereof are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control and those actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors.
More information on Homeland Security issues, including news releases, events and experts available for comment, can be found on the Homeland Security Newsline at www.primezone.com/hs.