Sat, Feb 20, 2010
Autonomous Take Off, Flight To Cargo Drop Area
Northrop Grumman Corporation successfully demonstrated that its
MQ-8B Vertical Unmanned Aerial System (VUAS) can resupply U.S. or
coalition troops deployed on a combat mission, the company said
Tuesday.
The company conducted the autonomous proof-of-principle resupply
capability during the current Army Expeditionary Warrior Experiment
(AEWE) at Fort Benning, GA. AEWE gives soldiers a first-hand look
at emerging technologies and concepts. "Fire Scout's ability to
deliver supplies autonomously demonstrates its readiness to support
troops in the field," said Al Nikolaus, program director of
land-based Fire Scout at Northrop Grumman's Aerospace Systems
sector. "It also highlights one of the many advantages of a
vertical unmanned aerial system. We have matured this capability
and we're eager to support our warfighters in theater with the
resupply of small-unit logistics that is so vitally needed."
For the AEWE mission, Fire Scout had two ruggedized containers
attached to external pylons. Fire Scout flew autonomously from
take-off to the cargo drop to landing. The VUAS also used its
electro-optical/infrared optical payload during the mission to
practice reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA)
techniques. The ability to conduct simultaneous RSTA and logistics
missions is another unique Fire Scout capability.
Fire Scout is equipped with a payload interface unit, which
allows it to release the cargo pod without the presence of a
soldier. Fire Scout observed the landing area to confirm the area
was free of obstacles and personnel prior to landing. Upon landing,
Fire Scout's skid sensors detected contact with the
ground. The autonomous mission was preplanned for release of
the cargo pod on touchdown, and seconds later the aircraft
took off again to continue its RSTA mission.
"Fire Scout's ability to operate at low ground speeds and
operate in remote, unprepared landing zones allows it to move with
warfighters in the field and easily acquire and track targets in
complex and urban terrain," said Nikolaus. "It's fully autonomous,
and swiftly performs the dull, dirty and dangerous missions without
putting soldiers in harm's way."
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