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New UAV Update - 11/28/2007 1:30:47 AM   
clarkst


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 8/11/2006
From: , OH, USA
Status: offline 		I have been working on a UAV for close in low altitude support. Our first controlled flight was 7/31 this year. I have posted some videos which show some of our test platforms and a few of our flying frames. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cfkW4fcwGzw


The youtube channel www.youtube.com/n5275q shows the failures and un-failures associated with our tests.

       Post #: 1

RE: New UAV Update - 11/28/2007 1:53:11 AM   
Quacker



Posts: 100
Joined: 8/17/2003
From: Longmont, CO, USA
Status: offline 		Hi Clark,

Very interesting video! I see that you have invested a significant amount in your R&D. I am curious as to whether you internally funded and wonder if you selling any at this point?

Regards,
Q

(in reply to clarkst)
       Post #: 2

RE: New UAV Update - 11/28/2007 12:47:15 PM   
clarkst


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 8/11/2006
From: , OH, USA
Status: offline 		Thank you for noting this! Yes, it has been a significant investment, and it is all private funding.

There are a few things that I need to test prior to marketing this aircraft, such as:

1. Way point navigation
2. Auto stabilization and recovery (auto stabilization if radio signals aer not persent or the pilot releases control, and recovery will include auto land, and/or return to base)
3. Human avoidance
4. Altitude hold
5. Chute deployment
6. Universal Payload Module
7. Manufacture (mass)
8. Video target aquisistion and tracking

We are at different levels of completion on all these items.
The uint has some stabilization and correction capabilities today (16 CPUs on board). The computer handles the motor mixing and control.
The aircraft has a 7 lb payload capacity (max) with a flight time of about 10 min on standard power pack (max PL).
The unit can "pearch and stare" for a few days with enough reserver power to take off and return to base, provided base is not more than a mile or so.
The UPM (payload module) is used for batteries right now, but it can be modifide to accomidate nearly anything 7 lbs and under.

(in reply to Quacker)
       Post #: 3

RE: New UAV Update - 11/28/2007 12:54:30 PM   
rsbwing


 

Posts: 36
Joined: 5/30/2006
From: Fallston, MD, USA
Status: offline 		Something to consider.....
If it hovers, it is a stationary target and is easily shot down with small arms.

(in reply to clarkst)
       Post #: 4

RE: New UAV Update - 11/28/2007 2:47:30 PM   
Quacker



Posts: 100
Joined: 8/17/2003
From: Longmont, CO, USA
Status: offline 		Sent PM to Clark.

(in reply to rsbwing)
       Post #: 5

RE: New UAV Update - 11/28/2007 7:52:44 PM   
UAVTCNJ


 

Posts: 7
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: , NJ, USA
Status: offline 		Hi,

I'm from The College of New Jersey School of Engineering and I need to design and constuct a UAV for my senior project. I was planning on using a ARF kit for our plan and adding some electronics, hardware, and a camera to it. Does anyone have any idea of how well these planes can lift weight on top of its selfweight? I need to fly rather slowly and it should be as stable as possible since it's going to have to take clear images. Do you have any suggestions for us?

Stephanie
TCNJ UAV Team Manager

(in reply to Quacker)
       Post #: 6

RE: New UAV Update - 11/29/2007 4:45:50 AM   
PatternPilot



Posts: 477
Joined: 11/17/2002
From: Knoxville, TN, USA
Status: offline 		Steph,

You might want to try this plane either as a glow or electric

http://www.hobby-lobby.com/telemaster12.htm

Scott Anderson
Team Castle Creations
Team Tanicpack.com

(in reply to UAVTCNJ)
       Post #: 7

RE: New UAV Update - 11/29/2007 1:34:55 PM   
clarkst


 

Posts: 6
Joined: 8/11/2006
From: , OH, USA
Status: offline 		In regard to it being a target. Good, this could be its service. In a law enforcement or military situation when you succeed in distracting your target you obtain at least two valuable advantages, one, he has just given away his position, two, he has been distracted. Perhaps saving a life.
The Carbon fiber/ Kevlar skin is extremely though, but we are not under the impression it is bullet proof (shot gun test video will be coming soon).
As you can see from the not so successful chute test below, it is strong. This vehicle was flying again later the next day. Repairs where complete in the time it took for the 30 min epoxy to dry. 2 broken motor mounts, 3 broken props. The motor mounting tubs are made to be field replicable, which had I had any pares on hand, would have reduced down time to about 15 min.

Good observation.
Thanks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YujB0sYO1Ts

(in reply to PatternPilot)
       Post #: 8

RE: New UAV Update - 11/29/2007 1:41:54 PM   
UAVTCNJ


 

Posts: 7
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: , NJ, USA
Status: offline 		wow, its huge. telemasters are known to be slow and stable i heard. is that true?

(in reply to PatternPilot)
       Post #: 9

RE: New UAV Update - 11/29/2007 2:58:45 PM   
shv2sail


 

Posts: 111
Joined: 8/21/2002
From: Odenton, MD, USA
Status: offline 		Hello Stephanie- If your UAV's mission is just aerial photography, there are a lot of known airframe platforms that have been/are in use (check out the aerial photography section on both this site and RCG). I personally was planning on building a semi-autonomous aerial photography platform based on a Multiplex Easy Glider airframe: modifying it with twin pusher props and hacking off the nose and replacing with a clear lexan housing with camera mount within. These 'foam' planes from Multiplex are insanely rugged (so you wouldn't have to handle with kid gloves like a balsa ship and would withstand 'flight testing malfunctions'), are very cheap (good for college student), are easily modifyable and slow and stable. Just my $.02

(in reply to UAVTCNJ)
       Post #: 10

RE: New UAV Update - 11/29/2007 3:53:49 PM   
patrickegan



Posts: 111
Joined: 9/12/2003
From: rcapa.net Sacramento, CA, USA
Status: offline 		There are lots of good choices but my advice is KISS

_____________________________

www.rcapa.net

(in reply to shv2sail)
       Post #: 11

RE: New UAV Update - 11/29/2007 4:28:42 PM   
UAVTCNJ


 

Posts: 7
Joined: 11/28/2007
From: , NJ, USA
Status: offline 		the plane needs take pictures and send them to the ground for analyzation since we need to locate targets on the ground. the competition we're entering is here http://uav.navair.navy.mil/seafarers/default.htm if anyone is interested in knowing more about it.

(in reply to patrickegan)
       Post #: 12

RE: New UAV Update - 11/29/2007 7:51:31 PM   
rsbwing


 

Posts: 36
Joined: 5/30/2006
From: Fallston, MD, USA
Status: offline 		Clarkst,

Engaging the UAV would and could give up your location if it is not already know. The advantage of engaging the UAV would be to take away there advantage, now the bad guy can move with out being seen. As for law enforcement, I do see it being a distraction device. I think you could get the same results with a trained attack dog.

I know that finding a person on the ground while flying over head is next to impossible, even when you know where to look. I did a test last fall at a range made up of storage containers simulating a desert strong hold (hostage rescue kind of stuff). I had a .90 heli in hover 200 ft alt. and 300 ft offset from the test site. We used both an IR camera and a hi res Sony on a stabilized pan and tilt. It was next to imposible to find targets for the assualt team on the large laptop display. If the target subjects did not move your eye did not see them. After a full week of flying it was clear our eyes in the sky were of little use or advantage. What it did do was let the bad guys know the good guys were in the area and on there way. If it were possible.... the bad guys could have taken out the UAV at any time.

Keep up the good work.....

Attachments
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(in reply to clarkst)
       Post #: 13

RE: New UAV Update - 11/29/2007 10:51:46 PM   
PatternPilot



Posts: 477
Joined: 11/17/2002
From: Knoxville, TN, USA
Status: offline 		Steph,

This would be a good platform since the size and speed, You can walk faster than it flies if set up right and if you want no vibration go electric and can act like a sailplane while shooting photos..
Just my 2 cents..

Scott Anderson
Team Tanicpacks.com
Team Castle Creations
Hermes450

(in reply to UAVTCNJ)
       Post #: 14

RE: New UAV Update - 11/30/2007 3:56:52 AM   
UAVTCNJ