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

An autonomous UAV air base capable of launch, recovery, and turn-around functions will be evolved from Swift Engineering’s KillerBee UAS. The autonomous air base will eliminate the need to staff a UAV depot with human operators after initial system deployment. Air bases can be located in elevated risk or un-cleared environments without putting human life in jeopardy. Such a system would be a key enabler to the Hub-and-Spoke CONOPS currently being used by Tier-II assets. Swift’s KB4 has repeatedly demonstrated precision recovery into a net based system, reliable pneumatic launch events, and impressive flight qualities. Through the adaptation of a previously Swift tested vertical wire recovery system, an orderly, repeatable recovery event can be achieved with KB4. Integrated with a proposed “Autonomous Airport Manager” that will perform pre-flight, post-flight, and mission management functions, the modified KB4 system will prove to be invaluable and cost effective to future war fighters. Swift engineering is teaming with the University of California, Irvine in the autonomous air base’s development. The team will show system feasibility in Phase I with a prototype recovery test in the Option. Phase I work will provide the groundwork for a Phase II prototype demonstration.