Unmanned Aerial System with Modular Payload Bays and Payload Interfaces

The Unmanned Systems market is exploding with applications, products and services. For example, an increasing number of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs) are serving the military, commercial and research markets today. However, these systems are generally limited to supporting a single particular sensor, payload, or concept of operation assigned at the design stage of development. Expansion of their capabilities or the integration of a newly developed subsystem often requires a redesign. The Unmanned Systems community could benefit from the development and commercialization of an Unmanned System that is truly adaptable to many payloads and missions. We propose the development of an Unmanned Aerial System capable of supporting a variety of sensors, weapons, and concepts of operations through a modular payload bays and payload interface design. Our modular payload bays and payload interface will allow the UAS to support missions with varying endurance and payload needs via interchangeable subsections capable of supporting extra fuel, batteries, sensors, or ordinance. By utilizing a systems engineering approach, drawing on years of UAS design experience, and focusing on providing an adaptable system, our design will be able to provide a cost-effective solution for a large variety of payloads, customers, and missions.   BENEFIT: Military, border surveillance groups, search and rescue teams, and researchers could all benefit from an affordable UAS with long endurance and modular payload capabilities. For instance, the low cost UAS could be equipped with a laser illuminator and be flown into high risk areas to aid soldiers during night operations or be configured to carry large amounts of fuel and a small sensor to provide persistent surveillance over a specific area or along convoy routes. With the United States Homeland Security already capitalizing on larger Unmanned Systems, this system can fly non lethal directed energy payloads to deter illegal immigrants as they cross the border. Moreover, a gimbal with geo-location software could be flown onboard an asset loaded with fuel to search for hikers lost in the mountains. Researchers and scientists could also benefit from the development of a system specifically designed to ease their payload integration and logistics needs, allowing them to remain focused on the science and not the platform. Furthermore, a long endurance platform would allow researchers to capture more data in a single flight without the increased risks associated with multiple launch and recoveries. In summary, a highly versatile, low cost, small UAS is needed to interact with multiple payloads, for a variety of missions, with the capability to operate over an extended period of time. Our proposed system will be able to fill this capability gap, effectively meeting the needs of the Unmanned Systems market, on cost and on time.