Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System (ARES)
Abstract
Current and future land and ship-to-shore operations will require rapid and distributed employment of U.S. forces on the battlefield. The Aerial Reconfigurable Embedded System (ARES) program developed a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), modular unmanned air vehicle that can carry a 3,000 lb useful load at a range of 250 nautical miles on a single tank of fuel. ARES enabled distributed operations and access to compact, high altitude landing zones to reduce warfighter exposure to hostile threats and bypass ground obstructions. ARES modular capability allowed mission modules to be quickly interchanged and deployed at the company level. This enables the flexible employment of many different capabilities including: cargo resupply, casualty evacuation, reconnaissance, weapons platforms, and other types of operations. ARES vehicles could be dispatched to resupply isolated small units. ARES was suited for enhanced company operations concepts that would provide the warfighter/team increased situational awareness for operations in an urban environment. The enabling technologies of interest developed under the ARES program included vertical and translational flight, conversion between powered lift and wing borne lift, ducted fan propulsion systems, lightweight materials, tailless configuration, modularity, and advanced over-actuated flight controls for stable transition from vertical to horizontal flight. Additionally, the program explored opportunities for the design, development, and integration of new, key technologies and capabilities. These included adaptable landing gear concepts to enable operations from irregular landing zones and moving launch/recovery platforms, and autonomous take off and landing. The anticipated transition partners for this effort are the Army, Marine Corps, and Special Operations Forces.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Accomplishment
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2017
- Source ID
- f91ebed261f2a357ad4b90755a2cfda5