Compact pusher style UAV airframe

[bluesk1d]

I am looking at various components for a UAV project (providing low cost UAVs to law enforcement agencies who otherwise cannot afford such things - The department I work for being one of them). I am still very much in the info gathering stage and this may not even get off the ground at all (get it?). I am ideally looking for an airframe that is similar to the BAI Tigershark or Viking series UAVs (http://www.l-3com.com/bai/viking100.html) (relatively fat fuselage compared to its relative short length). The reason for this is that it must have room for a decked out MicroPilot AP solution with some of the optional sensors like the ultrasonic altimeter for smooth autonomous landings. It must also have the room and ability to lift a turret style stabilized pan/tilt/zoom setup like this (http://micropilot.com/products-cameras.htm) or this (http://www.cloudcaptech.com/gimbal_tase.shtm) along with their associated transmitter. These aren't terribly heavy but are around 5" in diameter. With traditional airframes, to get something wide enough for the turret+mounting hardware, you are looking at a very large model. I would estimate a weight of about 4-8lbs in extra gear depending on which options were selected. Oh yeah, and it should be electric and have a reasonable flight time.

Any thoughts? I am all ears.

[clolson]

Does it need to fit in the trunk of a patrol car?

[ios]

Does it have to be electric? PM sent

[small_rcer]

See windandwavemodels.com or search for EyeSpy on RCGroups for a pusher aerial platform for camera or whatever.

Jim

[bluesk1d]

Does it need to fit in the trunk of a patrol car?
No. It would be something initiated from a central location (like the dispatch center where the video camera would be controlled) from a dedicated runway or catapult. That being said, there is also no requirement for easy disassembly either.

Does it have to be electric? PM sent
This needs to be something that non-modelers and techy people can send up without having to physically go to it. So unless it can self-start reliably with no tweaking, electric is probably the better route. The 6-8 hour flight time of the real Viking UAVs isn't needed. 60 mins should suffice for an initial model and I know that will be a challenge with a heavy camera toting aircraft. I got your PM and I really like the design of the airframe in your profile page. I would like to keep the convo in the thread in order to help any future readers. Is that one fully custom or is that available somewhere? No one will accuse you of peddling your wares since I asked for input =) What are the details of that carbon fiber camera turret housing?

[bluesk1d]

See windandwavemodels.com or search for EyeSpy on RCGroups for a pusher aerial platform for camera or whatever.

Jim

Thanks Jim. Those look like a heck of a lot of fun to play with but this would need to be something a lot more substantial to haul around 8-10lbs of stabilized video/autopilot/transmitter/battery gear.

[Blunderbum]

Have you obtained a quote on the Tigershark or Viking, would be interested to know how much one would cost.

I am looking at various components for a UAV project (providing low cost UAVs to law enforcement agencies who otherwise cannot afford such things - The department I work for being one of them). I am still very much in the info gathering stage and this may not even get off the ground at all (get it?). I am ideally looking for an airframe that is similar to the BAI Tigershark or Viking series UAVs (http://www.l-3com.com/bai/viking100.html) (relatively fat fuselage compared to its relative short length). The reason for this is that it must have room for a decked out MicroPilot AP solution with some of the optional sensors like the ultrasonic altimeter for smooth autonomous landings. It must also have the room and ability to lift a turret style stabilized pan/tilt/zoom setup like this (http://micropilot.com/products-cameras.htm) or this (http://www.cloudcaptech.com/gimbal_tase.shtm) along with their associated transmitter. These aren't terribly heavy but are around 5" in diameter. With traditional airframes, to get something wide enough for the turret+mounting hardware, you are looking at a very large model. I would estimate a weight of about 4-8lbs in extra gear depending on which options were selected. Oh yeah, and it should be electric and have a reasonable flight time.

Any thoughts? I am all ears.

[bluesk1d]

Have you obtained a quote on the Tigershark or Viking, would be interested to know how much one would cost.
No I haven't since they are an overkill for this requirement. They have a 12+ foot wingspan and are bigger/more advanced than needed for this application. I would presume they "retail" for 80k+ though if I had to guess. Plus, I'd like to try my hand at prototyping and doing the integration myself. I'm a techie at heart and by trade but have 5+ years in law enforcement as a reserve so I think thats a healthy combo to ensure something like this serves them properly.

[Tomapowa]

This is a great UAV test platform, and pretty functional too...

http://procerusuav.com/productsZagiTestAirframe.php

The platform is basically a large EPP foam flying wing made my Unicorn Wings. Integrated is a Kestrel AP, GPS, brushless motor/controller and LiPo batteries. Throw in a ground station and your in business. We also have both stationary and a ball turret gimballed cameras being transmitted with GMS RF gear. Although we don't yet own the OnPoint targeting software, the platform has exceeded our expectations. BTW, AUW of our ball turrent camera platform is just over 8 pound, and that's with four 4000maH LiPo packs. Duration around 1 hour+ on a full charge. I just converted one of our Unicorn UAVs over to a Picollo AP for experimentation/comparison...

[kostixx007]

Hi , please have a look at www.uavfactory.com . The Penguin UAV could satisfy your requirements-lectric motor can be installed and 60 min duration is not a problem. Penguin has enough space for any of the payloads you have listed. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Regards,
Konstantins

[workshop]

"No. It would be something initiated from a central location (like the dispatch center where the video camera would be controlled) from a dedicated runway or catapult. That being said, there is also no requirement for easy disassembly either."

What central location? Specifically what city?

Jeff

[bluesk1d]

Hi , please have a look at www.uavfactory.com . The Penguin UAV could satisfy your requirements-lectric motor can be installed and 60 min duration is not a problem. Penguin has enough space for any of the payloads you have listed. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.

Regards,
Konstantins

Thanks for the info. PM sent.

[Gary Mortimer]

Sweet Kostixx

[SmokinJoe101]

Here is a low cost UAV option that will fit your needs

http://www.octatron.com/prodSkySeer.php

sj

[Pack AE]

A pusher doesn't get much more compact than this...

Maveric UAS (http://www.prioria.com/indexe7af.html?option=com_content&task=view&id=20&Itemid=50)