Back in 2004 our small business sent in a proposal for a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR). This proposal was to develop an Unmanned Air Vehicle (UAV) that could be launched from moving aircraft using the same deployment as a Sonobouy. The primary design of this air vehicle was focused on endurance and providing a 'second set of eyes' to the flight crew.

Some of the technical challenges and design goals were:

• Vehicle must fit inside of a size “A” sonobouy tube
• Deployment speeds of 150 – 250 knots
• Self unfolding
• The SUAV should not use explosive fuels
• Cruise speeds of 50+ knots, duration of 1.5 hours and have a range of 50 nautical miles
• Interchangeable payloads (mission configurable)

Below is a three view drawing of the UAV

UAV Three View

SBUAV Proposal (pdf)

Since this time frame, new technology has been introduced that makes this concept more viable such as:

• Improved Lithium Polymer Batteries (higher energy density)
• Wider rage of Brushless DC Motor and Electronic Speed Controllers
• Light weight FCC/IMU/GPS electronics (more autonomous operation)

Back to WashintonPilot