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October 5th, 2008 - Cross country glider flight with Piccolo Autopilot unofficially breaks FAI World Record!

Dan Edwards, a Graduate Student in the Aerospace Engineering Program at North Carolina State University, and his team broke new ground in autonomous non-powered flight on October 5th, 2008. The ALOFT (Autonomous Locator of Thermals) glider traveled 30.2 miles of a goal-and-return flight (60.4 miles round trip) in approximately 3 hours and 42 minutes. This beats the FAI record of 24.3 miles (set in 2005 by Gary Fogel) by over 5 miles!  The ALOFT is autonomously controlled by the Piccolo II Autopilot. For more information about this historic flight, visit soaring.goosetechnologies.com.

August 8, 2008 - 2.1.0 Software Release!

The long awaited Piccolo software version 2.1.0 has been released! Version 2.1.0 adds many improvements and features to the Piccolo System:

• Support for rotary wing applications though a partnership with Guided Systems Technologies. Piccolo now provides a full featured VTOL solution that has been field proven, combining the full range of Piccolo benefits and the adaptive controller and VTOL experience of GST.
• INS and control loops running at 50Hz (up from 20 in 2.0.4)
• Support for landing into moving nets using the RTK GPS system
• Plug-in architecture for Piccolo Command Center for third party tools
• Terrain awareness and warning system in Piccolo Command Center
• Command Control and Display of TASE gimbals in Piccolo Command Center

Additionally, advanced features are available on a tiered license fee so that integrators can purchase only the advanced features they require. Contact for more information.

July 28, 2008 -  Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU) Finishes Third Overall in the 2008 International Aerial Robotics Competition

We are pleased to announce that ERAU, based in Daytona Beach, FL has finished third place overall for the 2008 International Aerial Robotics Competition (IARC). The IARC is a multiyear competition, developed to challenge student teams and advance the state of the art in unmanned aerial systems. ERAU, a latecomer to the competition has joined on the final and most difficult year of the competition. Using a Piccolo autopilot, enabled by Guided Systems Technologies’ (GST) patented Adaptive Neural Network controls technology, ERAU was able to achieve fully autonomous operations of their rotary wing UAV.  GST engineers provided rotary craft training and technical support.

Charles Reinholtz, Professor and Chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering had this to say about the Piccolo and GST support:

"The performance of the autopilot freed us to work on other aspects of the competition, from the first time we turned it on IT JUST WORKED! Exceptional support, thorough documentation and a knowledgeable, responsive staff"

For more information, contact:

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Ph: 386.323.8848

This excellent result, combined with Piccolo use by the winning teams of the AUVSI student competition in both 2007 and 2008 (see Mississippi State winning news update on this page) is a remarkable reflection on the power and ease of use of Piccolo autopilot systems.

July 21, 2008 - Cloud Cap Technology Expands Production Facility

 
The new expansion will house all of the necessary production and testing equipment along with parts and raw materials storage. It will also provide more space for shipping and receiving. "We are very pleased with this added capacity," stated Ross Hoag Chief Executive officer. "Not only have we added more space, we are also acquiring new and more efficient equipment."

July 9, 2008 - TASE LT Development Update

TASE LT design work is continuing with three prototypes built in June. They were shown at the AUVSI trade show supporting three different camera designs. The design concept and prototype fit within the 4.5 inch dome and tube envelope meeting the NAVAIR SBIR Phase II requirement. The TASE LT design will allow for mounting on a variety of different vehicle configurations using a standard form factor payload. Flight testing will begin in July with a target production date of Q1, 2009.

June 24, 2008 - Piccolo System Software Access

Piccolo system software is protected under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Customer’s will have access to software downloads for Piccolo products through the Cloud Cap Technology website after receiving a password. To receive a password, go to the customer registration page and fill out the on-line form. To find out more about export control issues, visit the US Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC) office web site.

June 18, 2008 - AUVSI Student Competition Winners Use Piccolo LT Avionics

Cloud Cap Technology is proud sponsor of the recently completed AUVSI Student UAS competition held at Webster Field, June 18th - 22nd, 2008. The Mississippi State University XIPITER team, using the Piccolo LT avionics system won first place in the mission performance as well as overall competition categories. A number of the participants were using Piccolo autopilots to successfully complete the competition goals.  Initial results are available at the AUVSI competition website. Congratulations to all student teams for their outstanding efforts.

June 14, 2008 - Cross country glider flight with Piccolo Autopilot brings graduate student one step closer to an FAI world record!

Dan Edwards, Graduate Student, Aerospace Engineering Program North Carolina State University and his team and his team broke new ground in autonomous non-powered flight on June 14th, 2008. The ALOFT (Autonomous Locator of Thermals) glider completed a 39.44 mile cross-country trek lasting 207 minutes, completing over half of the old distance-to-goal-and-return record of 50.6 miles. The team's ultimate goal is to break the 140.7 mile FAI world record for cross country flight set in 1988. The ALOFT glider, flown autonomously with a Piccolo autopilot, has a 14.2 ft wing span and weighs just under 12.25 lbs. For more information about this historic project visit soaring.goosetechnologies.com

April 7, 2008 - Cloud Cap Technology launches the new Piccolo Configuration Wizard!

Need help defining your Piccolo autopilot system? The Piccolo Configuration Wizard is the answer! Building a full avionics solution, complete with an autopilot, ground station, and developer’s kit, can be very complex given the number of configuration options.

The Piccolo Configuration Wizard is a new web based system configuration tool designed to help customers define and tailor Piccolo system elements to best meet the needs of their project. The wizard conveniently matches radios, ground stations, and advanced features, which simplifies the system building process.

At the end of the wizard you can print a complete configuration list, and if desired, have the list sent to Cloud Cap to get a formal quotation via e-mail. Take a tour of the Piccolo Configuration Wizard and let us know what you think!

April 1, 2008 - T2 Gimbal Initial Testing a Success!

Hood River, OR - Cloud Cap Technology has been very pleased with the initial testing of the newest Tier II gimbal, the T2 over the last few weeks. Senior Engineering Technician, Dan Underwood stated, “It’s been very successful so far. We wanted to test the current levels created by wind loading on the motors. We are very pleased with the results.”  Lead Engineer Rob Gilchrist added, “Wind load generated large power draw was our biggest concern on this product, and we’re happy to see it perform so well during these initial tests.”

The T2 is the newest gimbal in the TASE family of gimbals, building on inertial stabilization technology developed in the TASE and TASE Duo products. T2 has been in development for the past six months and is set to debut at this year’s AUVSI tradeshow in June.

April 1, 2008 - Cloud Cap Technology Celebrates Nine Year Anniversary!

Piccolo

 refers to “a small instrument an octave higher than others”; a fitting description of Cloud Cap Technology’s cornerstone product.

It has been nine years since founders Ross Hoag and Bill Vaglienti, veterans of the Aerosonde UAV development program, set out with a goal of developing an avionics system for small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). They knew that the avionics system had to be small, low cost, and low power. This concept evolved for the first two years of the company’s existence until a core set of autopilot requirements were worked out. In the fall of 2001 all of these requirements came together to produce the first Piccolo avionics system and ground station.

Since then the Piccolo family of products has grown to include an expanded line of autopilots, payloads, and sensors.

From its humble beginnings of two innovative engineers, the Cloud Cap team has grown to more than twenty engineers, technicians, and support personnel with over 70 years of combined experience in the UAV field.

Cloud Cap Technology looks forward to many more years of serving our customers by continuing to provide powerful low cost integrated solutions to the UAV market.

Cloud Cap Technology 2008 Tradeshow Schedule

Thanks to everyone that was able to visit our booth at the recently completed trade shows. Highlights included the new Piccolo Command Center (PCC) interface software, the upcoming T2 stabilized gimbal, and our partnerships with Solutions Engineering, Inc. (SEI) and Guided Systems Technologies (GST). We were very impressed with the customer feedback on our products and welcome any additional comments and recommendations. If you did not make it to this year’s trade show, plan on attending next year and find out how our products can benefit your integration project. We are considering a number of other exhibit opportunities - please check this space for further tradeshow announcements in 09.

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Cloud Cap Technology and Guided Systems Technologies form Alliance

November 26, 2007, Hood River, OR - Cloud Cap Technology, Inc. is pleased to announce a new partnership with Guided Systems Technologies to provide Piccolo autopilot solutions for helicopter and other rotary wing unmanned vehicles. Guided Systems Technologies, leveraging more than 18 years of experience in guidance and control, offers advanced flight control technology that has been proven on a wide variety of unmanned rotary wing vehicles, including single main rotor and coaxial helicopters, tilt rotors, ducted fans, tail sitters and airplanes that can hover on the propeller.

Piccolo autopilot products are now capable of full-envelope automated helicopter flight operations, including take-off and landing, precision hover, automated path following and autopilot assisted manual steering modes. Additionally, Guided Systems will provide comprehensive customer support from initial project requirements definition through qualification flight testing.

Dr. Eric Corban, Guided System’s Founder and CTO says, “The helicopter and rotary wing UAV market will benefit greatly from affordable access to a complete helicopter control solution proven over a number of flight test programs that is made relatively easy to integrate through the combination of advanced technology, integrated hardware, quality documentation, and support that is tailored to the needs of the rotorcraft community.”

The Cloud Cap Technology family of Piccolo autopilots have become the standard for fixed wing UAV integrators. All of the Piccolo options provide a complete, off-the-shelf avionics system solution including the core autopilot, flight sensors, navigation, wireless communication, and payload interfaces, all in a small, highly-integrated, and inexpensive package. Over 1,500 autopilots have been delivered to date. The Piccolo autopilot is currently in service on a wide range of vehicles including the ACR Silver Fox, the Raytheon Cobra and the NAVAIR Tiger Shark UAV. Detailed information and system documentation for the Piccolo autopilots can be found at www.cloudcaptech.com.

For additional information contact:

Young Kim Guided Systems Technologies (770) 898-9100 x895

Mark Zanmiller Cloud Cap Technology (541) 387-2120 x 27

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Moving Net Precision Recovery Success

November 7-8, 2007 Tucson AZ – Today Advanced Ceramics Research (ACR) and Cloud Cap Technology (CCT) demonstrated moving capture precision recovery using a Piccolo II equipped Silver Fox UAV with the latest 2.X autopilot software. During the two days of testing the team was ten for ten on autonomous recovery attempts, which included a variety of moving net scenarios. This was the first flight test of the moving capture algorithms and demonstrated the capability required for autonomous shipboard recovery. Shipboard testing will follow early next year. The flight test marks the culmination of a one-year development effort led by Bill Vaglienti, CCT’s co-founder and CTO, and builds upon the initial release of the 2.X branch of Piccolo autopilot code which supported fixed position precision recovery. With the addition of moving capture precision recovery the Piccolo System now supports options for autonomous rolling takeoff, catapult, balloon and tube launching; as well as wheeled, belly, shipboard or land based precision net recovery.

Background
Advanced Ceramics Research (ACR) is a leading developer of small UAS systems for the Department of Defense. Their Silver Fox UAV is currently deployed in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. ACR provided the Silver Fox UAV, ground infrastructure, flight operations crew, as well as designed and implemented the moving net system used during the testing. ACR is one of CCT most valued customers; historically they have been a driver as well as an early adopter of new Piccolo technology. A special thanks goes out to the ACR team who were instrumental in making this flight test possible.

Cloud Cap Technology (CCT) is the world leader in end user programmable UAV autopilots systems, payloads, and sensors. The Piccolo family of autopilots, Piccolo II, Piccolo Plus, and Piccolo LT, provide unparalleled performance, reliability, and flexibility at an affordable price. The Piccolo system offers a complete solution including modeling and simulation tools, documentation and support as well as a new full-featured user interface called Piccolo Command Center (PCC).

For additional information contact:

Mark Zanmiller Cloud Cap Technology (541) 387-2120 x 27

Matt Pobloske Advanced Ceramics Research (520)-573-6300

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Piccolo equipped Silver Fox UAV Flies in the Philippines for the 31st MEU.

October 19, 2007 - Fort Magsaysay, Philippines - Providing a forward set of eyes from above, the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, III Marine Expeditionary Force, launched the Silver Fox unmanned aerial vehicle for the first time to conduct an operational evaluation here, Oct. 19, during Amphibious Landing Exercise '08. For more information, see the full article in the UAV News.

Cloud Cap Technologies TASE Gimbal used in QinetiQ's Zephyr UAV

September 10, 2007, White Sands NM - A TASE gimbal, produced by Cloud Cap Technology Inc. was successfully used as the imaging payload in QinetiQ’s Zephyr High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

At the US Military's White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico the Zephyr achieved a 54 hour endurance flight, unofficially breaking the world record of 30 hours and 24 minutes.

The Zephyr is an ultra-lightweight carbon-fiber aircraft with a wingspan of up to 18 meters but weighing just 30 kg. By day it flies on solar power generated by silicon arrays no thicker than sheets of paper that cover the aircraft's wings. By night it is powered by batteries that are recharged during the day using solar power. During the trials the same aircraft was flown twice while carrying the TASE gimbal as a surveillance payload – first for 54 hours to a maximum altitude of 58,355 feet, and then for 33 hours 43 minutes to a maximum altitude of 52,247 feet. Potential applications for Zephyr include earth observation and communications relay in support of a range of defense, security and civil requirements. Additional details of the Zephyr accomplishments can be seen in the QinetiQ news release.

The Cloud Cap Technology TASE gimbal provided features key to the QinetiQ efforts. It is a robust, small and very light weight stabilized payload. The TASE gimbal electrical and mechanical interfaces and inherent flexibility allowed QinetiQ to achieve HALE performance with an inexpensive < 1Kg gimbal.

For additional information about Cloud Cap Technology and the TASE family of stabilized camera gimbals, please contact at 541-387-2120 x 27.

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Cloud Cap Technology Releases 2.x Branch Software

August 6 , 2007 - Hood River, OR - Cloud Cap Technology Inc. announces the release of software version 2.0.4 for the Piccolo family of autopilots. Software branch 2.x has been in development for more than a year and integrates the 6 years of development experience from the 1.x software branch. Important features of version 2.0.4 includes new system capabilities, control law implementations, integration support, and a significant new user interface, the Piccolo Command Center. As with previous Piccolo software, an open communication specification, SDK, and licensable source provide users with flexibility of use and options for customization. As with previous Piccolo software versions, the new autopilot software is provided free for to Piccolo customers to download. Source code licensing and advanced feature licenses are provided on a fee basis.

The new system capabilities provide precision autonomous takeoff and landing, including rolling or catapult takeoff, and wheeled, net, and or belly recovery with full support for flare, brakes, and on the ground steering. Balloon and tube launch support are also provided . A new full GPS/INS navigation solution with fixed wing aided AHRS backup in case of GPS failure adds to system robustness and performance. Optional integration with high-end dual frequency RTK DGPS receivers provide centimeter-level position accuracy for applications where precision recovery is required.

New advanced control laws have been implemented for higher fidelity control of fixed wing platforms. A universal controller API is added, making it easier to change the control laws for new platforms including helicopters, blimps, boats, etc. As such, 2.x supports the long anticipated Piccolo helicopter solution which will be led by Cloud Cap’s rotary wing partner, Guided Systems Technologies.

Customer modeling and integration is further assisted with new advanced vortex lattice simulator tools which ease the estimation of aircraft parameters. I/O configuration is made even more flexible, allowing customer configuration of up to 16 outputs for servo or discrete surface and payload management. All of these items support reduced time for customer integration of a new platform.

The 2.x release also includes the new Piccolo Command Center interface software. This completely new Piccolo interface, developed by Solution Engineering Inc. addresses requirements from current users and provides a powerful solution which significantly improves the flexibility and feature set provided. Key features include enhanced flight planning support, map display improvements with multi-aircraft displays and 2D/3D terrain aware mapping, a new intuitive Primary Flight Display and graphical EFIS along with the ability to change airspeed, altitude, and heading commands from EFIS display. Design allows user customizable dockable windows so data can be configured per user requirements.

For more information, contact:

Bill Vaglienti Cloud Cap Technology, Chief Technology Officer (541) 387-2120 x 22

Ross Hoag Cloud Cap Technology, President (541) 387-2120 x 23

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Cloud Cap Technology begins work on NAVAIR Phase II SBIR gimbal contract.

July 23, 2007, Hood River, OR - Today Cloud Cap Technology officially kicked off an eighteen-month program to develop a small, low cost, stabilized pan tilt and zoom camera gimbal system called TASE LT. This smaller version of the popular TASE is being designed specifically for the NAVAIR expendable Sonabuoy Launched UAV (SLUAV) program but will have wider application, especially in the emerging small electric UAV market. Additionally, and most importantly from a cost and size perspective, the proposed Cloud Cap Technology solution will combine the autopilot and gimbal functionality into a single common autopilot/gimbal electro-mechanical package resulting in a dramatic reduction in the overall size, complexity, and cost compared to any competitive solutions. Given our long history and expertise in autopilot technology, Cloud Cap Technology is uniquely qualified to provide this additional level of functionality in the gimbal package. This novel approach offers the optimal solution given the size and cost constraints of expendable systems of this class.

Cloud Cap Technology will be teaming with both Solution Engineering (SEI) and Currawong Engineering Pty Ltd on this program. Solution Engineering, another Hood River company, will be developing advanced video processing capabilities (including target tracking and electronic stabilization) which will be embedded onboard the TASE LT. Currawong Engineering, an Australian company located in Hobart, Tasmania will be working on the mechanical design and prototyping.

The program is being funded under a NAVAIR Phase II SBIR program focused on developing payload solutions for the NAVAIR Coyote and Voyeur UAVs. The base program includes a twelve-month development effort followed by a six-month evaluation and demonstration period. An option, if exercised, will be targeted toward integration of the TASE LT on to other existing small-electric UAVs. The addition of a stabilized camera gimbal and advanced video processing, which until recently has not been available to vehicles of this class, will dramatically expand their Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) potential.

For more information contact:
Ross Hoag at (541) 387-2120 x 23

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Raytheon's Cobra Unmanned Aircraft System Makes a Series of Firsts in North Dakota.

Photo by Ben Trapnell, University of North Dakota

July 11, 2007 -TUCSON, Ariz., PRNewswire -- A Raytheon Company Cobra Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) conducted the first official unmanned aircraft flight in North Dakota June 25.

The Cobra flew approved flight profiles through military restricted airspace over Camp Grafton South, a National Guard training facility 45 miles south of Devil's Lake, N.D.

In addition to being the first unmanned aircraft to fly in North Dakota airspace, these were also the Cobras' first flights away from their home station in Tucson, Ariz.

During the three-day deployment to the site, the Cobras completed nine flights and executed completely autonomous takeoffs, landings and in-flight navigation along preplanned routes.

The flights were part of Raytheon's collaboration with the University of North Dakota, John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Sciences, the University of North Dakota School of Engineering and Mines and the North Dakota National Guard.

In one of the planned missions from the Camp Grafton South airfield, a Cobra UAS carried the PrecisionAg digital imaging payload developed by the University of North Dakota Unmanned Aircraft Engineering team. The PrecisionAg payload is designed to take digital images of crops and rangeland for monitoring vegetation health for North Dakota agribusiness applications.

"With its ability to conduct completely autonomous flight profiles and its FAA experimental airworthiness certification, Cobra is positioned to be the preferred unmanned aircraft system for the science, research and engineering communities," said Don Newman, Raytheon director of Unmanned Systems. "Cobra can stay aloft for more than three hours with a 25-pound payload, providing researchers with an affordable, stable platform for an array of sophisticated electronic equipment and sensors."

Cobra is a low-cost, highly reliable unmanned aircraft designed to support Raytheon's development, integration and test of unmanned systems technologies. The aircraft has a wingspan of 10 feet and is 9-feet long.

The Cobra UAS was designed by Raytheon to support the development, test and demonstration of sensor systems; networked command, control and communications systems; and unmanned aircraft system architectural concepts. The Cobra UAS integrates advanced systems and capabilities from several Raytheon businesses, including Tucson-based Missile Systems; Intelligence and Information Systems, based in Garland, Texas; Space and Airborne Systems in El Segundo, Calif.; and McKinney, Texas-based Network Centric Systems.

Raytheon Company, with 2006 sales of $20.3 billion, is a technology leader specializing in defense, homeland security and other government markets throughout the world. With a history of innovation spanning 85 years, Raytheon provides state-of-the-art electronics, mission systems integration and other capabilities in the areas of sensing; effects; and command, control, communications and intelligence systems, as well as a broad range of mission support services. With headquarters in Waltham, Mass., Raytheon employs 73,000 people worldwide.

Contact:
Everett Tackett, APR
520.794.9494

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More Success for Virginia Tech: Piccolo Takes First Place in Student UAS Competition

Virginia Tech’s team pulled out a win and pulled in $9000 at the AUVSI –sponsored Student UAS competition in late June.

The competition, at Naval Air Station Patuxent River’s Webster Field, in St. Inigoes, MD., called for the teams to take off or land autonomously, fly several waypoints while staying within pre-set boundaries and detect targets on the ground, wooden words that spelled out “Go NAVAIR.” Although this year’s target was similar to last year’s “Go Navy,” competition director Joe Brannan says no team was able to do it. Adding to the challenge were brisk winds blowing across Webster Field.

Virginia Tech completed the competition using the Piccolo LT Autopilot from Cloud Cap Technology. Overall, three of the top seven teams used Piccolo products in their aircraft (although the Embry-Riddle team ultimately removed their Piccolo for fear of crashing it in the high winds).”

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Cloud Cap Technology Piccolo Guides T-15 High Altitude Return Vehicle (HARV) - Demonstrates autonomous recovery from 63,684 feet.

June 29, 2007 - McGregor Range, Fort Bliss, NM - the AFRL/AFSC HARV was balloon launched from Wilde Benton air strip (4,068') on McGregor Range in southern New Mexico. The goal of the test was to demonstrate the capability to cost effectively deploy and autonomously recover a high altitude payload from 65,000 feet. The vehicle used was a modified electric T-15 developed by Arcturus UAV. The T-15 was equipped with a Cloud Cap Technology Piccolo II autopilot, General Dynamic's payload, video system, and both UHF and Satellite communications. The vehicle's full-up weight at launch was 42 pounds including 10 pounds of payload (half its 20 pounds capability).

It took 52 minutes to ascend, with balloon float occurring at 63,684 feet. Two minutes later the HARV was released and began the initial freefall portion of the decent. Autonomous pullout was accomplished thirteen seconds later at 61,500 feet. During the pullout the HARV achieved a maximum velocity of 200 KTS (True Air Speed) and pulled 2.75 g's. The HARV then began tracking back to base, arriving nine minutes later at 49,344 feet, where it began a long gliding descent. Fifty-six minutes later at 5,000 feet (932 feet AGL) the system initiated a landing flight plan at which point the engine was enabled and the HARV began an autonomous approach and landing. Total sortie time was just over two hours with about seventy minutes of autonomous flight time after the release.

This test was part of a phased effort co-sponsored by AFSPC and AFRL. The goal was to prove the operational feasibility of the T-15 UAV as a platform for launch and recovery of payloads at 65,000 feet and above.

Also present at the test were representatives from the Army Space & Missile Defense Command, Army Battle Lab, Colorado Springs, Navy Research Lab, and Arizona National Guard, Detachment 2.

For more information, contact:

Doc Aguilar AFRL/VS (505) 846-5545

Len Hirschi Arcturus UAV (707) 206-9372

Ross Hoag Cloud Cap Technology (541) 387-2120 x 23

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