Expendable Electro-Optic Infrared Camera System

Cloud Cap Technology is proposing to develop a stabilized pan tilt zoom camera gimbal system for the Coyote sonobuoy tube launched UAV. Cloud Cap is the maker of the Piccolo autopilot, which is used in many UAV systems, including the prototype of the Coyote. In the spring of 2006 Cloud Cap will introduce a new product, the TASE stabilized pan tilt zoom camera system for small UAVs. TASE is almost small enough to fit in the Coyote as is. Our proposal is to modify the TASE to reduce its cost and size for the Coyote. In addition we also propose, as an option, to develop a combined autopilot and gimbal electronics package in which the autopilot and gimbal controller are a single PCB. This novel approach leverages heavily off of Cloud Cap's proven expertise in autopilots and our existing gimbal product development to deliver an integrated solution that will dramatically reduce the overall size and cost of the electronics of the Coyote.