Armed UAV Rotor Control for Precise Targeting and Reloadable Strikes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current loitering munitions and unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) face issues such as high cost, limited operational flexibility, inability to reload, and potential for civilian casualties due to their design and operational requirements.
Innovation Solution
An armed unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) with a unique rotor configuration and control system that allows it to be portable, reloaded, and operated by an individual, featuring a flight and targeting controller that adjusts pitch and yaw angles for accurate projectile deployment, and a remote control system for command and data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If loitering munitions are used for one-off strikes, then reaction time against concealed targets is improved, but cost per shot increases and operational flexibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The loitering munition is divided into separable components: the airframe and the warhead. The warhead can be detached and replaced, allowing the same airframe to perform multiple strikes with different warheads, thereby reducing cost per shot while maintaining fast reaction times.
Solution Approach 2:
After a strike, the warhead is discarded while the airframe is recovered and reused for subsequent missions. This allows multiple strikes without requiring multiple complete munition systems, improving operational flexibility and reducing costs.
2Adaptability or versatility
If UCAVs are used for multiple strikes, then operational flexibility is improved, but device complexity and operational cost increase due to dedicated base sites and control sites
Solution Approach 1:
The complex base site and dedicated control site infrastructure is extracted from the loitering munition system. Instead, a simplified portable control device is used, which can be operated by a single operator without requiring fixed infrastructure, thereby reducing device complexity while maintaining the ability to perform multiple strikes.
Solution Approach 2:
The loitering munition performs its own navigation and target acquisition using onboard sensors and GPS, reducing the need for complex external control infrastructure. The simplified control device only needs to provide basic command input, not real-time control, thereby reducing operational infrastructure requirements.
3Strength
If UCAVs carry aircraft ordnance, then strike capability is improved, but risk of civilian casualties increases due to greater effective casualty radius
Solution Approach 1:
Different warhead types with different casualty radii are selected based on the specific target and operational context. For urban environments or areas with potential civilians, warheads with smaller casualty radii are used, while larger warheads are reserved for hardened targets in remote areas, thereby reducing civilian casualties while maintaining strike capability.
4Measurement precision
If UAVs carry firearms for precision targeting, then accuracy is improved, but weight increases and hovering capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanical firearm system is replaced with a projectile launch system that uses compressed gas or spring mechanisms instead of heavy recoil-based firearms. This reduces the weight of the weapons system while maintaining the ability to fire projectiles at ground targets, thereby preserving hovering capability while achieving precision targeting.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to an armed unmanned aerial vehicle (“UAV”), an armed UAV control system, and methods of use thereof. In one form, the armed UAV includes: an elongate body, a pair opposed side rotor arm assemblies extending from the sides of the body, a tail rotor arm assembly extending from a rear end of the body, a weapons system including at least one firearm associated with the body, and a flight and targeting controller operatively associated with the side rotor arm assemblies and the tail rotor arm assembly. The controller configured to: determine at least a pitch angle and yaw angle required to strike a target with the weapons system, based on target information received; and selectively control operation of each rotor arm assembly for aiming the weapons system, based on at least the pitch angle and the yaw angle determined.