Miniature Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (MUAV)

The U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has identified a need to develop a miniature unmanned air vehicle (MUAV) that can be launched from an airborne platform by a single crewman and subsequently transmit real-time video images for gathering intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) information. The MUAV will provide real-time combat identification information in difficult to observe areas including complex topographies such as mountainous terrain with caves, heavily forested areas, urban environments, and highly-populated areas. Moreover, the MUAV will allow views of potential targets from multiple aspect angles to defeat camouflage and concealment and improve target detection and recognition. The focus of this research is to design, develop, and demonstrate an air-launched MUAV, that can either fly autonomously or by remote control, to provide real-time video imagery to sensor operators. The research will address: (1) the design and fabrication of a robust MUAV airframe, (2) the necessary guidance, navigation, and control algorithms to stabilize the MUAV after an airborne release, (3) an expanded flight envelop to achieve maximum airspeeds and increased endurance, and (4) the transmission of real-time video imagery over extended ranges from the MUAV's on-board camera to the sensor operator.