Innovative and Cost Effective Obstacle Avoidance/Navigation for Small Tactical Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)

Multispectral Solutions, Inc. (MSSI) proposes to develop an Ultra Wideband (UWB) radar to support small Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) collision avoidance sensing. This radar will leverage the recent MSSI perimeter intrusion detection radar development. The key features of the perimeter radar that are suitable for the UAV collision avoidance radar include: small size, demonstrated long range sensitivity against small RCS objects and low power. Based upon previous performance benchmarks, a small UAV radar will be capable to sense a wire over 100 meters in range. In Phase I, MSSI will build and test a prototype small UAV collision avoidance radar that leverages MSSI's proven perimeter intrusion radar technology. MSSI will also perform a systems study to examine the small UAV collision avoidance sensor requirements and system design. In the Option, MSSI will re-examine the systems study based upon the results of the prototype small radar and develop the plan for Phase II developments. The tasks that are on the roadmap toward a compact low cost radar will be selected for Phase II development.