Low Cost Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

An approach to make a long endurance UAV with an 18 hour endurance and large payload will be developed based on an existing, fielded capability present operationally deployed.  The system will be built from COTS equipment minimizing cost and allowing for rapid maintenance and upgrading of the system as technology develops.  The system will be fully autonomous through launch, mission flight and recovery, and will carry a primary payload capable of EO/IR video and a laser designator/tracker.  The payload will be modular in construction and interchangeable with a range of other payloads.  In the Phase I the 18 hour duration will be demonstrated and in the Phase II the payload will be increased in weight, while maintaining the duration BENEFIT: The system being addressed under this SBIR is presently on track for deployment.  The increased duration and payload capability will significantly benefit our troops operating in theatre and will provide essential technology in the fight against terrorism.  The first operators would use the system under prototype configuration.  The long duration system would provide on station surveillance for an extended period and would expand the area covered by routine reconnaissance missions.  Target designation and tracking capability would mesh well with capabilities presently available from larger manned aircraft.