Micro Air Vehicles for Optical Surveillance

■ We present a study of micro air vehicles (MAVs) with wingspans of 7.4 to 15 cm. Potential applications for MAVs, both military and civilian, are numerous. For most military applications, MAVs would be controlled by local users, operating covertly, to supply real-time data. This article focuses on a military surveillance application that uses either visible or mid-wavelength infrared imaging sensors. We present concepts for these sensors as well as for a miniature Ka-band communications link. MAV flight control would require miniature motion sensors and control surface actuators based on technology under development by the micro electromechanical systems community. As designed, the MAV would fly in a low Reynolds-number regime at airspeeds of 10 to 15 m/sec. Propulsion would be provided by a combination of an electric motor with either an advanced lithium battery or fuel cell, or by a miniature internalcombustion engine, which is a more efficient option. Because of the close coupling between vehicle elements, system integration would be a significant challenge, requiring tight packaging and multifunction components to meet mass limitations. We conclude that MAVs are feasible, given about two to three years of technology development in key areas including sensors, propulsion, aerodynamics, and packaging. They would be affordable if manufactured in quantity by using microfabrication techniques.

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