Portable Unmanned Aircraft System Concept Investigation

Abstract : This report investigates the feasibility of a portable unmanned aircraft system (PUMA) for deployment in various close range (up to 30 km) reconnaissance and surveillance missions, which would provide a capability, estimated to be 50 to 60% of the performance of much larger and significantly more expensive systems. The PUMA would have a total mass of 10-12 kg and a 3 kg electrically powered flying wing configuration, which could be launched by a rubber bungee and captured by either a net or a special arrestor. The primary sensor would be a charge coupled device camera with either a second or third generation image intensifier. Navigation and control of the vehicle could be performed by an inexpensive attitude and heading reference system combined with a small global positioning system receiver. Data would be transmitted over very high frequency channels, which could be accomplished by employing data compression techniques.