Remotely Operated Sensor, Beacon, and Navigation Aid for Deep Battlespace (Remote Sensing)

ABSTRACT: Crossfield Technology proposes to develop a BEAcon with Robust Sensor suite (BEARS) for the US Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) dismount operators. Project BEARS will provide AFSOC with the ability to clandestinely gather information/intelligence in hostile territory, utilizing a full suite of modern sensors (meteorological, chemical, biological, radiological/nuclear, and imagery), precise location instruments (radio-location, IMU), data communication, and beacon/navigational aid (EO/IR/RF) capabilities. The proposed effort will address the growing needs for AFSOC personnel to gain real-time, actionable intelligence from a network of unattended ground sensors, in forward and deep battlespace environments, to meet the challenging AFSOC mission objectives, using methods that minimize detection and risk to US military personnel. The BEARS system will be designed to be cylindrical in shape, small and lightweight enough for precision delivery from an under-carriage Tactical Munitions Dispenser (TMD) from AFSOC small Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) platforms. BENEFIT: Due to the nature of the sensor suite, the primary customer for BEARS is the DoD. BEARS will provide critical intelligence to forward operations activities, reducing risk to personnel, providing key intelligence, and supporting navigation in GPS-denied environments. A reduced version of BEARS with motion detection and video imagery only could be used for surveillance and security of industrial facilities.