Micro Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) System Design and Operation

Aerovironmet Inc. proposes to undertake Phase I of DDARPA SBIR 962-080 to develop and assess operational utility of micro air vehicles (micro AV) for unique military applications. We will downselect from nine general categories of airframes, four general categories of propulsion systems to a minimum of five conceptual designs. These design concepts will be evaluated against notional mission scenarios, using analytical and empirical testing of partially completed systems to establish a figure of merit (FOM) for each design relative mission. The FOM analysis will be used to select 3 configurations of flight test and evaluation of operation. Flights will be documented with video, and the designs will be documented with level 2 drawings and preliminary cost metric of the system. Vehicle and complete, developed micro AV system cost metrics will also be developed. Specific missions are expected to be best met by specific micro AV operational concepts, system concepts, and predicted performance parameters.