ArrowLite: Single-Man Portable, High Endurance UAV
In 2012 and 2013, I worked as a structural analyst and then design lead engineer on a DOD-funded counter-terrorism UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle). The design, analysis, test, build, and market/use data are all proprietary...but, the airplane stats below give a glimpse into the engineering required to create this small plane. The sales video is informative (but unfortunately backed by a cringe-worthy soundtrack!) and the pictures show test article builds that I participated in.
- 6.5 lbs w/ payload and a wingspan greater than 6 ft.
- 3+ hour flight time (>2 times the competition)
- 90 seconds from carrying case to launch
- Strong / tough enough to withstand belly-landings
- 'Throw and go': Automated takeoff/flight/landing
- Quiet electric motor and 4 hour battery life
Fast unpack, assembly and launch
Vacuum-bagged, carbon fiber test prototypes built
Garage-built fuselage test articles
Wind-tunnel validation testing
Test article
Test article
Test article
