UAV Roadmap - Unmanned Aircraft & Drones

UAV Roadmap 2000 – AppendixDesirable unfunded follow-on activity, with estimated cost:Additional Ground Control Stations: $500KAdditional Air Vehicles: $1.0MChem/Bio sensor: $2MLADAR mapping and targeting sensor: $3MField-testing: $1.0M for FY01 experimentationLead Agency: ONR, (703) 696-0114EXTENDERObjective/Description: Extender is an air-drop deployable UAV for ElectronicWarfare missions. Extender folds for storage into a 32” x 32” x 20” enclosure. Fordeployment, the Extender enclosure is simply pushed out of the door of any helicopter,transport, or patrol aircraft. Upon being air-dropped, a parachute is deployed, theenclosure is shed, and the wings unfold and lock into position. Next the parachute isreleased and the electric motor is switched on. Extender has a 2.3 hour endurance,cruising at 45 mph, powered by LiSO2 batteries. Extender can perform an entirelyautonomous mission using GPS navigation, or utilize a spread spectrum RF link forrealtime operator directed command and control. Gross weight is 31 lbs, including a 7 lbpayload capacity. Currently under development, Extender has flown conventionalrunway takeoffs, demonstrated autonomous navigation, and demonstrated air-dropdeployment of the folded wings in a vertical wind tunnel simulating descent under theparachute. Air-drop testing from a helicopter is currently scheduled for October 2000.Extender is funded by ONR as 6.2 R&D project. Follow-on funding is anticipated formission specific development.Timeline:FY98-00: FINDER airframe and subsystem development and flight testingFY01: (Anticipated) Transition to application sponsor for mission specificdevelopmentFY02: (Anticipated) Field trialsCurrent Funding Levels:FY98 FY99 FY00 FY01 FY02$250K $250K $800K $1Manticipated$1ManticipatedEstimated unit cost of each Extender: $35K in qty 100 productionDesirable unfunded follow-on activity, with estimated cost:Flight safety approvals and integration with Navy EP-3: $1MMission specific development of operational capabilities: $2MA-23