Abstract:
One variation of a method for imaging an area of interest includes: within a user interface, receiving a selection for a set of interest points on a digital map of a physical area and receiving a selection for a resolution of a geospatial map; identifying a ground area corresponding to the set of interest points for imaging during a mission; generating a flight path over the ground area for execution by an unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission; setting an altitude for the unmanned aerial vehicle along the flight path based on the selection for the resolution of the geospatial map and an optical system arranged within the unmanned aerial vehicle; setting a geospatial accuracy requirement for the mission based on the selection for the mission type; and assembling a set of images captured by the unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission into the geospatial map.
Abstract:
One variation of a method for imaging an area of interest includes: within a user interface, receiving a selection for a set of interest points on a digital map of a physical area and receiving a selection for a resolution of a geospatial map; identifying a ground area corresponding to the set of interest points for imaging during a mission; generating a flight path over the ground area for execution by an unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission; setting an altitude for the unmanned aerial vehicle along the flight path based on the selection for the resolution of the geospatial map and an optical system arranged within the unmanned aerial vehicle; setting a geospatial accuracy requirement for the mission based on the selection for the mission type; and assembling a set of images captured by the unmanned aerial vehicle during the mission into the geospatial map.
Abstract:
A hybrid axial/cross-flow fan aerial vehicle includes both axial and cross-flow fan propulsion for efficient hover and forward flight performance. The axial fans provide primarily vertical thrust, while the cross-flow fan provides horizontal, as well as vertical, thrust. The vehicle takes off vertically, is capable of hover, and can fly forward by vectoring the thrust of the cross-flow fan system. This approach provides large internal cargo capacity and high forward flight speeds.
Abstract:
A MEUV that is able to navigate aerial, aquatic, and terrestrial environments through the use of different mission mobility attachments is disclosed. The attachments allow the MEUV to be deployed from the air or through the water prior to any terrestrial navigation. The mobility attachments can be removed or detached by and from the vehicle during a mission.
Abstract:
The Primary Plane Orientation Device may be orientated such that the lifting surface, and or propulsion group of the aerial vehicle rotates about an axis through the Primary Plane. The Primary Plane, then, may be orientated at any chosen angular offset from the vehicle axis such that the lifting surfaces can produce thrust at said angle to the vehicle axis. The orientation of the Primary plane may then smoothly transform to other desired angles such that the aerial vehicle remains unstalled during conversion between VTOL-rotary and fixed wing flight. The lifting surface, and/or propulsion groups may then be fixed in any orientation to the axis of the vehicle to produce fixed wing lift, or propulsion in line with the fuselage or at various offsets from the fuselage.
Abstract:
An aircraft for unmanned aviation is described. The aircraft includes an airframe, a pair of fins attached to a rear portion of the airframe, a pair of dihedral braces attached to a bottom portion of the airframe, a first thrust-vectoring (“T/V”) module and a second T/V module, and an electronics module. The electronics module provides commands to the two T/V modules. The two T/V modules are configured to provide lateral and longitudinal control to the aircraft by directly controlling a thrust vector for each of the pitch, the roll, and the yaw of the aircraft. The use of directly articulated electrical motors as T/V modules enables the aircraft to execute tight-radius turns over a wide range of airspeeds.
Abstract:
A sensor/emitter arrangement (M1-M3) is integrated into the fuselage (120) structure of a specially designed air vehicle (100), in which the air vehicle is configured for optimizing operation of the sensor/emitter arrangement (M1-M3) with respect to at least azimuthal lines of sight radiating along a azimuthal reference plane of the air vehicle (100). The azimuthal reference plane intersects the air vehicle fuselage (120). In at least some embodiments, the fuselage (120) is formed with a plurality of oblate cross-sections that facilitate maximizing the room available for a sensor/emitter array (172, 174, 176) that is elongated along an elongate axis that may be aligned with the azimuthal reference plane. In at least some embodiments one or more such elongate axes may be inclines to the longitudinal (roll) axis and the pitch axis of the air vehicle (100). In at least some embodiments, the air vehicle may have a blunt aft end incorporating an elongate aft-facing sensor/emitter array (172, 174, 176).
Abstract:
A gust-insensitive unmanned air vehicle (UAV) for imaging the ground, comprising a substantially neutrally stable air frame having a fuselage and at least three wings which include control surfaces. The wings are arranged in symmetrical relation about the fuselage and confer the UAV with a roll stability about a longitudinal axis of the fuselage for any roll angle. The UAV also includes a propulsion device for propelling the UAV in flight, an image sensor for imaging the ground, and a flight control system for controlling the in-flight operation of the UAV. The flight control system includes flight control sensors and is operative to render the UAV gust insensitive in response to inputs from the flight control sensors.
Abstract:
A span-loaded, highly flexible flying wing, having horizontal control surfaces mounted aft of the wing on extended beams to form local pitch-control devices. Each of five spanwise wing segments of the wing has one or more motors and photovoltaic arrays, and produces its own lift independent of the other wing segments, to minimize inter-segment loads. Wing dihedral is controlled by separately controlling the local pitch-control devices consisting of a control surface on a boom, such that inboard and outboard wing segment pitch changes relative to each other, and thus relative inboard and outboard lift is varied.
Abstract:
An air vehicle comprising only one wing, which is thin and substantially flat, the wing being elongate and preferably diamond-shaped, and a pod removably coupled to the wing for relative rotation about an axis normal to the major surfaces of the wing, the pod bearing a propulsor for the air vehicle. The propulsor may be a propeller with a Custer duct for static lift.