By Nick Gilbert
The new small vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft system from Lockheed Martin Procerus Technologies has been unveiled. This versatile solution provides an instant clear picture of any specific scenario, and serves to be the best solution of choice for first responders, warfighters, and for those in urban, small cluttered environments.
Lockheed Martin Procerus Technologies' new five-pound vertical take-off and landing quad rotor platform provides soldiers, first responders and others in small, cluttered, urban environments an eye-in-the-sky in just minutes. (PRNewsFoto/Lockheed Martin)
Weighing just 5-lb, this robust VTOL quad rotor, dual-sensor platform consists of perch and stare capability, and an extended hover. It effectively delivers aerial reconnaissance for military, civil and commercial customers within crowded areas and also performs missions that are impossible with fixed-wing unmanned aircraft systems. The gimbal mount of VTOL features a laser illuminator and electro-optical and infrared sensors for achieving consistent 360-degree panning capability.
The compact, portable VTOL is being incorporated with Lockheed Martin Procerus Technologies' proven Kestrel 3 autopilot, and effective for instant implementation in up to 40 minute-long operation. The foldable VTOL platform can be dismantled and packed into a compact unit, without requiring any special tools for assembly.
The VTOL system features a wireless hand controller through which simple interface can be achieved for intuitive, seamless vehicle operation. In order to achieve full ground control station capabilities, the Virtual Cockpit v3.0 consists of in-flight re-tasking features, user-friendly 3-D map interface, full waypoint navigation, and powerful mission planning tools.
The VTOL is capable of landing and collecting surveillance data from a remote location, followed by taking wings to reach its destination.
Source: http://www.lockheedmartin.com/