AEM 5333

UAV Search and Surveillance

Mission Description

• Overhead surveillance and tracking–Humans on foot–Moving vehicles

• Onboard GPS transceiver• Onboard camera = autonomous +

manual control capabilities

Flight Conditions

• Light weather capable– Clear to light precipitation and cloud cover. – Light winds gusts less than 10 mph

•Open terrain – Limited by line of sight telemetry

•Moderate air temperatures•Service ceiling limited by telemetry

System Analysis: Requirements of mission profile

• Task elements– Acquire bearings– Acquire settings– Lock on to target– Compute optimum route between target and

tracker using corresponding GPS coordinates– Acquire target using onboard optical sensors– Based on relative velocity of the target compute

encircling trajectory within a predefined radius–Mission profile

Automation• Automation in the task elements

– Autonomous take off script– Climb to cruise altitude– Once airborne acquire GPS signal and establish communications– Compute optimum route to target– Once UAV and target GPS within predefined distance, descend to

observation altitude and switch to optical mode.– Acquire visual signature of target.– Send “target acquired” signal.– Commence hold pattern.– Await for manual control override, else– Compute target velocity via optical tracking– Compute trajectory around target

Sample trajectory

Take off

Climb

Observation Alt 50 ft. AGL

Cruise 200 ft AGL

Land

Cruise 200 ft AGL

Descend

Mission Profile

Payload Analysis

• Payload Functions Needed for Search/Surveillance/Tracking Missions– Flight Computer – IMU– GPS– RC Receiver– Telemetry (Live Video Capable Bandwidth)– Optical/IR/Agriculture Camera– Propulsion/Control Systems

Payload Operation

• Flight Computer– Capable of flight control and optical/GPS tracking

• GPS/IMU– GPS waypoints sent through ground transmitter on target

• Telemetry– Communication of live video, state, GPS, camera operation to ground

receiver for tracking, camera operation

• Optical/IR/Agriculture Camera– Ability to move in 2-DOFs

Mission Profile and Payload

• Tracking and Surveillance– GPS Waypoint/Tracking– Optical Tracking– Live Video Transmission– Remote Camera Operation

Airframe Design Reference

• Higher aspect ratio– Increased efficiency leads to greater range and

endurance• Add dihedral to the wings– Dihedral increases both lateral and roll stability – Creates more stable platform for camera tracking

and observation

Airframe Design Reference

• Higher powered engine– Increases maximum velocity for tracking faster

targets– Allows for shorter take-offs

• Retractable Landing Gear– Smaller form and parasitic drag leads to increased

range and endurance– Allows for unobstructed view of 360° camera

Airframe Design Reference

• Larger capacity battery– Larger energy storage for increased range and

endurance• Larger control surfaces– Allows for more control authority with smaller

servo inputs