Small/lightweight Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)

Moller International (MI), the parent company of Aerobotics Inc. (AI), has been developing VTOl manned and unmanned aerial vehicles, called aerobots, for many years. The first electric aerobot used a 36 inch saucer-shaped composite airframe with four vertical ducts, each housing a small electric motor driving an eight inch propulsion fan. It was developed in 1986-87 under a contract funded by DARPA. The second significant aerobot developed was a radio-controlled, single-duct model powered by a 45 HP rotary engine developed under an SBIR contract and delivered to the U.S. Air Force in 1992. In December 1992, the aerobot technology was transferred from Moller International to its newly-activated subsidiary, Aerobotics Inc. (AI). Two aerobots are currently in development. One is a twin-engine, 20" duct, fuel powered, radio controlled aerobot to be demonstrated in January 1994 under a U.S. Navy contract, in which Aerobotics Inc., as the UAV supplier, is a sub-contractor to The Stratos Group of Fairfax, VA, an organization with extensive military and civilian experience in UAV technology. The other is powered by two electric motors in a single 20" duct, with a 200' cable attached carrying power, control signals and sensor images. The latest electric aerobot weighs approximately forty poiunds, including the cable. Development has been funded by the California Department of Transportation to enhance their inspections of bridges and other highway structures. This electric Aerobot can remain aloft indefinitely carrying a ten pound payload. It has been flying successfully for several months, proving that Aerobotics Inc. has the basic technology required to create the proposed vehicle. Participation in this project will enable Aerobotics Inc. to apply a concentrated effort to achieve the weight reduction needed to meet the thirty pound goal and to identfy the best batteries to achieve sustained flights. Miniature video and infra-red imaging systems will be sought to provide significant mission capabilities in small, lightweight sensors.