Fuel Cell Powered Long Endurance Expendable Unmanned Aircraft System (Navy)
Abstract
The Navy and Special Forces have counterterrorism technology requirements that include an over the horizon (OTH) intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability using small unmanned aerial systems (UASs). Battery powered UASs, although inherently stealthy and safer to operate in most environments, lack the necessary endurance required for SOF/ISR operations and because of power and weight issues, have low grade electro-optical (EO) cameras. Currently, there is no existing UAS that can meet the needs and requirements. This technology gap prevents current SOF war plans from being executed. This project will mitigate the problem by completing the development and demonstration of a small, expendable, long endurance, fuel cell powered UAS (the XFC) with a real time high resolution electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) payload.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- 1406d4d17c3f94e86f020081e72c18b0