AETHERMACHINES INC — Department of Defense SBIR Phase II: AF083-096

Description

The objective of Phase II R&D concerns micro air vehicles (MAVs). These MAVs are typically used for remote, surreptitious surveillance using video links. Under Phase I, AetherMachines Inc. has developed and test flown a MAV employing many new features which extend MAV capabilities and mission duration significantly. First, it has a very unique ‘insect like’ topology which enables great maneuverability, gives the ability to perch on a power line or tree limb, allows the MAV to land and crawl terrestrially, permits aiming and discharge an offensive payload. The MAV design is also equipped with specialty scavenging circuitry which allows it to collect energy from sources including the sun and power lines. Coupled with its ability to perch, this scavenging capability gives greatly extended loiter missions, without the need for circling or hovering flight, making it highly unobtrusive and useful as a rapidly deployable video link or feed. The MAV’s video link is augmented with a GPS on screen display overlay to provide positional, altitude, and velocity information to the operator. The video link can also be used with virtual reality type goggles for a complete FPV (first person view) while flying or perched. BENEFIT: Anticipated benefits of Phase II R&D result from the production of commercial grade MAV prototypes and scavenging circuits developed from the Phase I feasibility prototype. These commercial grade prototypes represent a rapidly deployable video source that provides surveillance for extended periods in support of objectives for military, law enforcement, media and entertainment, R&D organizations such as colleges and universities, commercial entities such as power and gas pipeline companies, and to the general radio control hobby community. These prototypes can be demonstrated and marketed to prospective customers and used to attract Phase III investors. Specific MAV subsystems and features, such as power scavenging circuits, insect like flight control algorithms, video and R/C links, and carbon fiber/foam and carbon fiber balsa construction materials and techniques can be marketed separately, or used to enable new commercial products.