Nano Air Vehicle (NAV)
Abstract
The goal of the Nano Air Vehicle (NAV) program was to develop a hummingbird-inspired flapping air vehicle technology with less than a five inch wingspan and gross take-off weight of fifteen grams or less. Operations in the urban terrain require sensors that can navigate in difficult terrain and be inserted without being detected. Small air vehicles capable of navigating interior domains without GPS would enable autonomous prosecution of a number of high risk missions that are currently performed by warfighters. Examples of such missions include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) in buildings, underground facilities, caves, tunnels, and confined urban environments. Key enabling technologies included: flapping wing aerodynamics, kinematics and flight dynamics, lightweight aero-elastically tailored wing structures, miniature navigation systems, micro-propulsion systems, small payloads, and the ability to perch like a bird.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2012
- Source ID
- e36e8199135ad3fc921ba9998cd41358
Related Documents
- Root: TACTICAL TECHNOLOGY