Low Cost Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

The success of military operations often times depends on the ability to obtain timely and accurate intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information and then to use this information for target location and designation. Unmanned aircraft have proven to be a real asset in conducting these missions. The objective of this project is to develop UAV concepts for a lightweight, low cost UAV with an endurance of at least 18 hours with a payload sufficient to meet mission requirements. There are three main elements of this project the vehicle, the payload and the ground control/launch capability. The project will investigate various high aspect ratio wing configurations including constant chord (straight wings), swept, blended, and joined wing configurations. Winglets will also be examined since they offer a real opportunity to increase the lift to drag coefficient. Multi-surface aerodynamic modeling programs will be used to examine these variations analytically and will also use simulations to determine which offers the best opportunity to achieve the required endurance. A COTS based payload will provide both surveillance sensors and laser based target designators. Finally, a portable launching system will be designed to launch the aircraft. A recovery system will also be designed to safely recover the vehicle. BENEFIT: The low cost UAV, with its integrated sensor package, will have applications in areas other than the military. For example, the Office of Homeland Security has needs for infrastructure protection, port surveillance, and border surveillance and interdiction. This vehicle would serve as an ideal platform for conducting these missions. In addition, other commercial applications include law enforcement, search and rescue, and coastal surveillance, where this vehicle could be used to carry out these activities.