Portable, hand-launchable UAV system for a variety of payloads

The Navy is developing deep technical expertise in unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as their importance in extending awareness is critical to a wide variety of missions.

One particular system developed by the Navy is now available for licensing. Protected by three U.S. patents, the hand-launched UAV system includes the drone, a launching platform, and a guidance system.

The complete package is designed to propel the drone, guide it to a target and execute a spiral downward flight path over the target. A payload compartment is affixed to the drone and may carry a non-lethal weapon package (such as rubber projectiles or bullets), a crowd dispersal device (such as tear gas), or reconnaissance devices (such as electronic surveillance equipment).

In each case, onboard systems can compare and match acquired images to determine the correct target. The drone is designed to be used in either a launch-and-retrieve or a one-time use mode.