. | . |
Army demos quadcopter resupply vehicle prototype by Richard Tomkins Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. (UPI) Jan 19, 2017
A quadcopter that could be used to supply troops on the battlefield has been demonstrated by the U.S. Army Research Laboratory and industry partners. The vehicle is called the joint tactical aerial resupply vehicle, or JTARV. It is also known as the Hoverbike, manufactured for the ARL by Malloy Aeronautics and systems integrator, SURVICE, an engineering company. Researchers envision a future JTARV flying low to the ground or at thousands of feet at speeds of 60 miles per hour or more, the Army Research Laboratory said. "Anywhere on the battlefield, soldiers can potentially get resupplied in less than 30 minutes," said Tim Vong, associate chief of ARL's Protection Division, who likened the JTARV concept to "Amazon on the battlefield." The current prototype demonstrated at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland is electric, but ARL researchers are looking at a hybrid propulsion system that could dramatically increase range to as much as increasing 125 miles with a payload capacity of as much as 800 pounds. "We're also looking to integrate advanced intelligent navigation and mission planning. We're looking to end up with a modular, stable platform that can be used for even more dynamic and challenging missions," Vong said. The JTARV is now a joint effort with the Marine Corps, led by Army researchers, at the Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center at Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey, though the ARL researchers still serve as subject matter experts on aeromechanics, assessment, analysis, propulsion, intelligence and controls and materials and structures. In addition to other industry, government and academic partners, the Office of Naval Research has joined the project. Researchers hope to demonstrate the vehicle with full autonomy in the near future, Vong said.
Related Links Aerospace News at SpaceMart.com
|
|
The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us. |