Perching Micro Air Weapon

Design Intelligence Incorporated, LLC (DII) proposes an integrated design approach for an innovative perching micro air vehicle (MAV) using energy harvesting.  The proposed design concepts will build upon DIIs proprietary energy harvesting technology and hardware and will include innovative biomimitic MAV design concepts. In particular, DII proposes MAV design concepts that focus on energy harvesting (EH) modality pairs so that the tightly-constrained design requirements for a perch and stare MAV can be achieved with optimal performance by the EH systems. Overall vehicle performance and agility as well as camouflage and concealment will be accomplished through the use of biomimitic modeling and conceptualization. This will allow the MAV to remain hidden in plain sight.  DIIs proprietary EH power management system can accommodate both DC and AC energy sources over a wide range of  power levels. The MAV design concepts will integrate EH transducers, such as solar cells, into the overall MAV air frame and structure to maximize design efficiency and to ensure that maximum EH efficiency is achieved for the given MAV size and class. Onboard energy storage will be accomplished with a combination of supercapacitors and advanced battery chemistries to sustain MAV operation during extended mission operations. BENEFIT: A "perch and stare"-capable micro air vehicle (MAV) has immediate application to support current military demands for improved intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance challenges. The proposed technology will increase the effectiveness of military missions and will improve the safety of military personnel while disrupting adversarial activity. The proposed technology also has broad commercial application since it will further develop energy harvesting (EH) technology and integration concepts for unattended unmanned systems. The proposed Phase I research will contribute to the engineering knowledge and understanding of the MAV trade space and, specifically, the effects of EH on UAV and MAV design.