Automous Launch, Recovery and Turn-Around Systems for Small UAVs

The Unmanned Recovery, Service And Launch Automation (URSALA) system is a tactical unmanned recovery, refueling and launch service station for small winged unmanned autonomous systems (UAVs). The automated system will increase utilization of UAV technology by providing unattended UAV operation for multiple mission without manual intervention or support. It can support many UAV platforms through a platform independent architecture and modularity design approach. URSALA is a product of the combined experience of Boston Engineering Corporation and Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) working with two of the leading contenders for the STUAS/Tier-II Competition agreeing to be mentors. The assembled team of BEC and GTRI provide a significantly large combination robotics, systems engineering, software, vision and controls experience to the program. The modular design of URSALA allows adaptation for the different wing designs and shapes while maintaining a common recovery, servicing and launch scheme. The recovery portion of the system addresses incoming UAV flight variances and provides controlled deceleration control to minimize impact loads and lessen potential for damage to the UAV. The recovery mechanism is integrated with a service module and a launch module that can be re-configured optimally relative to the required mission or application. The team can provide a Phase I that endeavors to not only develop a system design and determine the platform independent required capabilities and features, but can demonstrate feasibility through the build of a scaled version of the Universal Recovery Subsystem (URS) as well as demonstrate the steps needed for complete automation.