UAV – Combat Medic Collaboration for Resupply & Evacuation

A conceptual design study was performed for the Phase I effort of a development of a Combat Medic Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (CM-UAV). During this effort, a Concept of Operations (CONOPS) was developed, decomposed, and translated to functional requirements. From the requirements, enabling capabilities and technologies were identified to meet these challenges. Critical enabling technologies in collision avoidance and landing zone selection were accomplished under company own funds. These demonstrations validated the state of current technology and identified implementation risks. The Phase II approach is to prepare and conduct a demonstration that integrates these enabling technologies on an autonomous VTOL UAV. The demonstration will follow a scenario calling for the delivery from a battalion aid station of an LSTAT and supplies to a simulated casualty at a set of reported coordinates. The scenario mission will demonstrate the five following enabling capabilities; a) Navigate through urban or wooded terrain to combat injury site; b) Select suitable site for autonomous landing and take-off with minimal human guidance; c) Safely land and take-off autonomously (with minimal human intervention); d) Communicate with human medic team members; and e) Carry a payload of medical supplies and equipment to include an LSTAT to the site of injury.