Ascent Solar Takes Flight Aboard Silent Falcon™ Unmanned Aircraft

THORNTON, Colo.--()--Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:ASTI), a manufacturer and developer of state-of-the-art, flexible thin-film photovoltaic (PV) modules, along with Silent Falcon UAS Technologies (SFUAS), announced the successful first flights of the production Silent Falcon™ Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) powered by Ascent Solar’s ultra-lightweight, flexible photovoltaic modules. Silent Falcon™ UAS, jointly developed by SFUAS, Bye AEROSPACE and Ascent Solar, is a tactical drone designed to be easily deployed, and integrates proprietary, disruptive technology to deliver superior UAS performance.

The patent-pending Silent Falcon is a solar/electric powered, all composite and modular small Unmanned Aircraft System (sUAS) equipped with an interchangeable wing configuration designed for commercial, public safety and defense applications both domestically and internationally. The combination of efficient aerodynamic design, lightweight composite construction and Ascent’s monolithically integrated and ultra-lightweight thin film photovoltaic modules, enables the 25 lb. Silent Falcon™ UAS a remarkable 6 to 12 hour flight endurance.

“These first flights represent the culmination of tremendous collaboration between Ascent Solar, Bye AEROSAPACE, and Silent Falcon UAS,” stated Dr. Joseph Armstrong, Chief Technology Officer of Ascent Solar. “Overcoming technological challenges, our teams have demonstrated the ability to integrate our flexible photovoltaics with appropriate power management systems into a feature-rich small unmanned aircraft system enabling extended mission flight time and, as a result, enhanced mission flexibility. More importantly, the photovoltaic modules integrated into the wings represent a lightweight version of our production materials, and as such, are immediately available.”

“The Silent Falcon’s unprecedented performance and value is ready for the market place as we transitioned from prototype and commenced low rate initial production,” said John Brown, President of SFUAS. “Our sales teams are targeting domestic, Latin America and the Asia Pacific region.”

About Ascent Solar Technologies:

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. is a developer of thin-film photovoltaic modules using flexible substrate materials that can transform the way solar power generation integrates into everyday life. Ascent Solar modules, which were named one of TIME Magazine's 50 best inventions for 2011, can be directly incorporated into standard building materials, commercial transportation, automotive solutions, space applications, consumer electronics for portable power and durable off-grid solutions. More information can be found at www.ascentsolar.com.

About Silent Falcon UAS™ Technologies

Silent Falcon UAS™ Technologies was established in 2010 to introduce disruptive technological UAV innovation to global defense, intelligence and national security agencies, the domestic public safety agency market and U.S.-based private security contractors. The company is headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico. For more information, go to www.SilentFalconUAS.com.

About Bye AEROSPACE

Bye Aerospace, founded in 2007 and headquartered near Denver, is applying clean energy solutions to innovative aircraft designs for the aerospace and defense markets. For more information, go to www.ByeAerospace.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements." Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unknown factors that could cause the Company's actual operating results to be materially different from any historical results or from any future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to statements that explicitly describe these risks and uncertainties, readers are urged to consider statements that contain terms such as "believes," "belief," "expects," "expect," "intends," "intend," "anticipate," "anticipates," "plans," "plan," to be uncertain and forward-looking. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contacts

Investor Relations Contact:
CleanTech IR
Brion D. Tanous, 310-541-6824
Mobile: 424-634-8592
btanous@cleantech-ir.com
or
Ascent Solar Technologies
Justin R. Jacobs, 1-720-872-5194
jjacobs@ascentsolar.com

Contacts

Investor Relations Contact:
CleanTech IR
Brion D. Tanous, 310-541-6824
Mobile: 424-634-8592
btanous@cleantech-ir.com
or
Ascent Solar Technologies
Justin R. Jacobs, 1-720-872-5194
jjacobs@ascentsolar.com