Low-Cost Single-Use Drone for Swarming

Triton is proposing to develop a single use inexpensive long-endurance drone that can accept modular payloads and conduct a variety of missions. Triton’s single use platform will be less than $5000 per unit including the launch mechanism, have open-source embedded systems, and low logistical burden (e.g., ad hoc payload integration and high vehicle density shipping). In Phase I Triton will do a trade study of the tradeoffs between range, loiter time, cruise speed, dash speed, operating ceiling, endurance, payload capacity, available payload power, launch mechanisms, and cost; using fixed wing design tools developed specifically for initial design of low-cost flight systems. Materials and manufacturing processes will be included in their effect on vehicle weight and cost. The salient point and the problem that has the most effect on the design and cost of the system is expected to be the launch mechanism.