D' HovRobot: Sensor Elevating System Capable of Tethered Hover and Free Flight

D'HovRobot is a rotor-less V/STOL UAV to meet the needs for tactical sensor elevation. It can operate on a tether, using cabled electrical power, or as a free-flyer, using an engine. It have a VTOL version for close-range operation, and a STOVL version for longer-range / helicopter-escort missions. The rotorless UAV can fly safely close to trees, wires and buildings. D'HovRobot is designed for carriage within, and deployment from, one HMMMV. It has a swappable power module with dual electric motors when tethered, or with lightweight D-STAR Diesel engine for free flight. The tethered hovering UAV can have empty fuel tanks, but can then support the weight of 300 feet of tether cable. Phase I scope of work includes design of a prototype vehicle and its transportation, deployment and stowage systems, definition of subsystems, projection of performance envelope, evaluation and selection of enabling technologies, evaluation of system feasibility, and definition of plans for fabrication and testing of a prototype. The team includes Teledyne Ryan, AAI Corp., Electronic Power Conversion, and Mechanical Power Conversion, as subcontractors. They are expected to play more significant roles in Phase II, and may play lead roles in Phase III.