Miniature Electronic Sniffer for Navy Vertical Take off Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (VTUAVs)

Makel Engineering Inc. and Universities Space Research Institute propose to develop a reliable, low false alarm system for use with VTUAVs to provide standoff detection capabilities for surface vessels during encounters with potentially explosive-laden vessels. The proposed glow-discharge based detection system would be extremely compact (<1 lb.) and provide highly sensitive detection of explosives and the potential to detect a broad range of chemical and biological agents. Mass detection limits of ppm to ppb are anticipated.BENEFITS: In addition to use in VTUAVs, potential markets include explosive detection systems for federal, state, and municipal government agencies, as well as the private sector. The proposed work involves the development of a highly sensitive, but generally applicable detection system that can detect a variety of species in addition to explosive, such as chemical weapons, biological agents, toxic industrial compounds, and drug processing lab chemicals.