Effects Delivery (EffecDiv) Payloads for Small Unmanned Air Vehicles

Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) have become a key component in the Army's intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) infrastructure. Small, hand-launchable UAVs in particular are a key component as they allow individual units to gather critical information from safe operational distances. However, the limited size, weight, and power (SWaP) resources of small UAVs has led to a disparity in capabilities between those platforms and the larger UAVs controlled at the Brigade or higher echelon. In order to bridge this capabilities gap, Toyon proposes to develop an effects delivery payload: a modular, self-contained all-digital low-SWaP embedded system including video capture and processing, target tracking, and H.264 compression. The EffecDiv payload will be paired with ground control software to automate UAV search, routing, and sensor control that maximizes sensor eyes-on-target. The payload will also be accessible via an EffecDiv Android-based app running on a smartphone or handheld. These capabilities will enable the user to rapidly detect, geo-locate, and track targets of interest with high accuracy. EffecDiv will seamlessly integrate with ARDEC's Firestorm weapon-target pairing system to hand-off target information to the unit effects network and support target engagement and effects delivery. The EffecDiv payload will be implemented on a heterogeneous computing platform, employing FPGAs and other processors, to minimize the system's SWaP. The payload will implement standards-based interfaces and protocols to maximize inter-operability with existing systems and networks.