FRIENDLY AIRFIELD THREAT DETECTION AND DAMAGE ASSESSMENT

A NEW APPROACH TO THE TASK OF AIRFIELD THREAT SURVEILLANCE AND AIRSTRIP INSPECTION BY THE USE OF AN INNOVATIVE, USER FRIENDLY, VTOL UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE IS DESCRIBED AND DEMONSTRATED. MOLLER INTERNATIONAL (MI) HAS DEVELOPED A PROOF-OF-CONCEPT UAV WHICH IS CAPABLE OF VERTICAL TAKEOFF AND LANDING (VTOL), AUTOMATICALLY STABILIZED FLIGHT, AND RADIO CONTROL. AT THE PRESENT TIME, HOWEVER IT IS AN EXPERIMENTAL SHORT RANGE, LIGHT PAYLOAD VEHICLE CONFINED TO FLYING IN DAYLIGHT HOURS AND IN CALM OR LIGHT WINDS. A DEMONSTRATION TO DETERMINE THE FEASIBILITY OF THIS INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO THE PROBLEM OF AIRFIELD INSPECTION WILL MAKE USE OF THE PROOF-OF-CONCEPT UAV. STARTING FROM A VERTICAL TAKEOFF, A FLIGHT UP TO 100 FEET IN ALTITUDE WILL SURVEY THE FAR SIDE OF BUILDINGS AND TREES BEFORE RETURNING FOR A VERTICAL LANDING. A LEVEL FLIGHT, A FEW FEET OFF THE GROUND WILL USE A TV CAMERA TO RELAY IMAGES OF GROUND DETAIL DOWN TO A FEW INCHES IN SIZE. IMAGE RESOLUTION CAPABILITY WITHOUT COSTLY GIMBAL STABILIZATION WILL BE EVALUATED. A STUDY IN PARALLEL WITH THE DEMONSTRATION WILL SEEK TO IDENTIFY THE OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES NEEDED TO PROVIDE THREAT DETECTION AND DAMAGE ASSESSMENT ON FRIENDLY AIRFIELDS UNDER A MILITARY ENVIRONMENT FOR DAY/NIGHT AND ALL WEATHER CONDITIONS. THE RESULTS WILL PROVIDE A BASIS FOR A TRADE-OFF DESIGN AND SPECIFICATIONS FOR A MILITARY VEHICLE AND SUB-SYSTEMS TO PERFORM THIS VITAL MISSION.